S

To

SENATE ? 

SENATE UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS BOARD 

REPORT 

•

(YF THE'TASK' FORCE ON 

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 

Subject.................................................  

Date................................................ 

FEBR, 

FEBRUARY 

5

1 981 

Action taken by the Senate Undergraduate Admissions Board, at its meeting of 

January 27, 1981, gives rise to the following motions: 

MOTION 1: 

?

"That Senate approve that the minimum score required 

in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) 

for admission of international students be revised 

from 550 to 570, effective for admission into the 

1981-3 semester. 

MOTION 2: ? 

"That Senate approve that exceptions to the 570 TOEFL 

score may be made by the Office of Admissions for 

students applying directly from third world countries, 

or for students holding scholarships through CIBA, for 

example." 

Rationale 

During 

discussion at SUAB, several additional factors were identified, which 

relate to the question of English proficiency among foreign students. They 

include the following: 

a)

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) as an instrument for 

measuring English language competence has certain weaknesses. However, it 

is also recognized that TOEFL is the best measuring device presently available. 

b)

A deficiency in English creates a greater problem at this institution as a 

result of the emphasis on oral communication in tutorials and seminars. 

c)

The recent provincial government task force on international student en- 

rolments recommends that institutions monitor their international student 

enrolments. It further suggests that "a university re-examine its policy should 

the enrolment of international students approach eight percent." 

Foreign students (visa) have formed 8% of the undergraduate population in both 

the 1979 and 1980 Fall semesters. 

The Provincial Task Force on International Student Policy reported the following 

data: 

U.B.C.   

U.VIC   

S.F . U. 

(1979-80)  

(1979-80) 

(Jan.1980) 

Undergraduate         

258

141

709

Percent of U/G        

1.2

1.9

7.8

Graduate           

546

79

151* 

Percent of C.         

16.6    

10.0    

12.7* 

Percent of all students    

3.3

2.9

8.4

* Fall, 1979. 

?

Sources: ? 

K. Young (UBC) 

G. Smiley (U.Vic) 

R. Brown (SF1.1) 

In 1977-78, 5.3% of all students in Canadian universities were international 

students. 

d)

As a result of our admission policies and geographic location, we will be 

directly affected by the growing number of private schools catering to foreign 

students. 

We are aware of several new private schools in the lower mainland. These 

schools will enrol primarily foreign students. 

One of the values in raising the TOEFL admission score is that it will raise 

the awareness of these schools to our concern of English language competence. 

Over time, therefore, it could be expected that applicants will have an improved 

competence in this area. 

e)

The University should continue to encourage foreign applications, however, 

reasonable restraints must be implemented in a time of limited resources. 

The recommendations, if approved at the March meeting of Senate, are to be 

effective for admission to the 1981 Fall semester. 

.

SENATEUNDERGRADUA 

ALAN 

C.....McMILLAN 

BOARD 

.SUAB90A ? 

........................................................... 

23RD ... JANUARY......1.981 ...................................... .............. 

INTRODUCTION 

The Task Force on International Students met on Wednesday, 

January 21st, to reconsider the recommendations contained in 

Paper, SUAB 90, which were not accepted by the Admissions 

Board on November 19th, 1980. 

The Task Force discussed the issues raised by SUAB. In 

considering the issues raised, the Task Force continues to 

recognize the TOEFL test as a test of language proficiency and 

not of academic ability. The Task Force submits the following 

information in support of the recommendations being made:-- 

RATIONALE: 

?

1. ? 

Preliminary information on TOEFL policies at Canadian 

Post-Secondary Institutions has been obtained from a 

report which is in progress by the Canadian Bureau of 

International Education. 

The report, "Canadian Institutional Policies and Practices 

Regarding Foreign Students", surveyed Canadian post- 

secondary institutions in Fall, 1980. One of the questions 

in the survey was: "What evidence of English competence do 

you require from foreign students?" 

Of the 65 English-speaking institutions responding:-- 

- 70% accept TOEFL as proof of proficiency in English. 

- Other methods include the Michigan English Language 

Test, the English Proficiency Test and language pro- 

ficiency examinations 'conducted by the institutions 

themselves. 

- The minimum acceptable TOEFL score for most post- 

secondary institutions (84%) is 550. 

- Of the remaining 16% - 12% require 600 and 4% are willing 

to accept scores lower than 550. 

?

1

2. ? 

The increasing number of private schools in B.C. and Canada 

that cater to international students will result in more 

international applicants. 

-2-

.

3.

Raising our norm will have the desired effect of encourag- 

ing these schools and colleges to improve their English 

language programs. 

4.

Simon Fraser University's TOEFL requirement should be 

higher than that in mary other post-secondary institutions. 

International student enrolment at this University is 

concentrated in particular disciplines where the learning 

environment in classes would be adversely affected if a 

substantial proportion of students do not have adequate 

English language skills. 

5.

The SAT is an examination given to high school graduands. 

Since a large proportion of our international students 

come from post-secondary institutions, SAT is not a relevant 

examination. 

This University and a majority of Canadian institutions have found 

the TOEFL to be the best instrument available for testing English 

language proficiency. As the test is designed to evaluate the 

candidates' level of proficiency in English, a higher score 

suggests that a greater level of English proficiency has been 

achieved. The TOEFL test is not intended as a predictor of 

academic success.       

•

The Task Force feels stronglythat the following recommendations 

will have the desired effect and, therefore, requests SUAB to re- 

consider its earlier decision. 

RECOMMENDATION ONE 

The Task Force recognizes that the Test of English as a Foreign 

Language (TOEFL) as an instrument for measuring English language 

competence has certain weaknesses. However, it is also recognized 

that TOEFL is the best measuring device presently available and, 

therefore, the Task Force recommends that the minimum score re- 

quired for the admission of international students be raised from 

550 to 570, effective for admission into the 1981-3 semester. 

RECOMMENDATION TWO 

Exceptions to the 570 TOEFL score may be made by the Office of 

Admissions for students applying directly from third world countries, 

or for students holding scholarships through •CIDA, for example. 

ACM:bc 

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