BUILA and BALEAP Launch the English Language Good Practice Guide

BUILA and BALEAP are pleased to launch the English Language Good Practice Guide: Testing, Qualifications and English for Academic Purposes in Higher Education. Developed for UK higher education institutions (HEIs) and wider sector stakeholders, the Guide sets out good practice from across the sector. 

Bringing together sector expertise from across the student journey including EAP practitioners, test and assessment providers,  professionals working within UK higher education, and also the student voice, the Guide focuses on three key areas: evaluating English language qualifications and tests; English language on pre-sessional and pathway programmes; and approaches to in-sessional EAP during the main degree programme. Student voice also underpinned the development of the Guide. 

The Guide is designed to help institutions make fair, transparent and evidence-based decisions that protect academic standards, support international student success and experience, and safeguard the UK’s reputation as a world-class study destination. 

The Overview section sets out the Guide’s purpose, scope and key principles: transparency, fair access, robust governance and evidence-based practice. It highlights the UK’s expertise in education and assessment and outlines four core areas for institutions to consider when evaluating English language qualifications and provision: due diligence, quality assurance, qualification evaluation, and monitoring and review. 

Section 1 focuses on setting entry requirements and evaluating, accepting and monitoring English language tests, school-leaving qualifications, degrees taught in English and pre-sessional courses from external providers. 

Section 2 covers good practice in the design, assessment and quality assurance of EAP pre-sessional and pathway provision, including transition and preparedness for degree study. 

Section 3 explores models for effective in-sessional EAP, including discipline-relevant provision, collaboration between EAP and subject teams, embedded support, and evaluation through engagement, satisfaction and academic outcomes. 

The Guide will be complemented by a series of best practice workshops designed to help HEIs enhance and embed English Language good practice.