Higher education. Mandatory non-consensual English certificate at the end of the license

Students would have done better if this was not a novelty. Starting this year, students will be required to submit a certificate in English to verify their diploma in BUT (University Undergraduate Technology – formerly DUT) or professional license at the end of their license. And this is regardless of the discipline studied, but only a few specialties – English training is essential – except. The user who wants to remain anonymous complains, “I am licensed in English, I do all my subjects in English, so it is absurd to pass this certificate, and my license must be sufficient to prove that I have English.”

Size, Adopted in 2020 The gradual entry into practice is far from unanimous. In September 2020, 15 associations submitted Appeal to the State Council It should be asked to cancel. They condemn “the attack on pluralism within universities by the sole obligation of English and, consequently, the poverty of student profiles in terms of modern languages” but “the exclusion of the linguistic policy of universities in favor of private institutions”. The appeal is still awaiting processing.

A significant cost to companies

Universities should organize and select English exams that encourage the use of private institutions such as TOIEC. The exam is free for students, so the company itself accepts the cost. “It costs between 40 and 50 euros per student, which is a significant amount,” said Stephen Lavic, general representative of the IUT Board of Directors (ADIUT). The government has taken steps to reimburse the costs, but the universities do not know at what rate.

At some institutions, training is in place to prepare students for this certification. “In our view, it is not honest and acceptable to certify students without preparing them for it. So many hours, still teaching. These are additional costs that come at a time when budgets are low, ”says Stephen Lavic. “Putting it on the form is horrible, unimaginably heavy, and the money we throw away. Especially for most students, this certificate is of no use,” said Tom Granger, president of the National Rally of Language Centers for Higher Education (RANACLES), one of the associations that filed the appeal.

No need to pass the exam

Students are not required to pass the exam, in which passing only counts. “If we want to solve the language status problem of our students, it’s not a certificate, it’s courses, Erasmus Scholarship, an inspiring movement,” said Judge Tom Granger. The association fears that this certification will have an impact on the selection of a postgraduate degree and will create inequalities between students and others who may receive private training to prepare for the exam. Regarding students who get bad results, Tom Granger lamented, “We check that they are not good and that it affects their morale.”

Conditions for passing the exam are also criticized. “Literature and SHS graduate students from the University of Lorraine and third-year students at Tourism and Culture at Anchors University have condemned the conditions imposed by the US company ETC Global for sending TOIEC over long distances: hardware compatible with ETC Global software. (Prevents privacy); Anti-virus disabled; such as registered personal data “, says SNESUP-FSU union In a press release.