The consequences of English language testing for international health professionals and students: An Australian case study

Rumsey, M; Thiessen, J; Buchan, J; Daly, J

The consequences of English language testing for international health professionals and students: An Australian case study

Rumsey, M

Thiessen, J

Buchan, J Daly, J

Permalink

Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: International Journal of Nursing Studies, 2016, 54 pp. 95 - 103
Issue Date:: 2016-02-01

Closed Access

	Filename	Description	Size
	Rumsey - the consequences of English language testing for international.pdf	Published Version	407.45 kB	Adobe PDF	View/Open

Copyright Clearance Process

Recently Added
In Progress
Closed Access

This item is closed access and not available.

Full metadata record

Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Rumsey, M https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6899-1486	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Thiessen, J https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7364-5940	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Buchan, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Daly, J https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8017-2974	en_US
dc.date.available	2015-06-03	en_US
dc.date.issued	2016-02-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	International Journal of Nursing Studies, 2016, 54 pp. 95 - 103	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0020-7489	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/37382
dc.description.abstract	© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. Aim: To discuss the perceptions about the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and its impact on migration and practice of migrant health professionals in Australia. Methods: Thematic analysis of interviews with 14 health industry participants and 35 migrated health professionals in Australia. Results and discussion: Language testing is a barrier to health professional registration for migrant health workers in Australia. While two English language tests are recognised by the registration authorities in Australia, it is the International English Language Testing System that is most commonly used. This paper reports that study participants had underlying negative perceptions of the International English Language Testing System which they report, affect their move to Australia.These negative perceptions are caused by: frustration due to changes to processes for migration and registration; challenges regarding the structure of IELTS including timing of when test results expire, scoring requirements, cost, and suitability; and the resulting feelings of inadequacy caused by the test itself. Conclusion: This study has shown that some respondents have experienced difficulties in relation to the International English Language Testing System as part of their migration process. It was found that there is very little research into the effectiveness of the IELTS as it is currently administered for overseas health care professionals. Several recommendations are provided including areas for further research.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	International Journal of Nursing Studies	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2015.06.001	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Nursing	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Language	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Health Occupations	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Emigration and Immigration	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Educational Measurement	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Australia	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Male	en_US
dc.title	The consequences of English language testing for international health professionals and students: An Australian case study	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	54	en_US
utslib.for	1110 Nursing	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - WHO CC
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	54	en_US

Abstract:

© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. Aim: To discuss the perceptions about the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and its impact on migration and practice of migrant health professionals in Australia. Methods: Thematic analysis of interviews with 14 health industry participants and 35 migrated health professionals in Australia. Results and discussion: Language testing is a barrier to health professional registration for migrant health workers in Australia. While two English language tests are recognised by the registration authorities in Australia, it is the International English Language Testing System that is most commonly used. This paper reports that study participants had underlying negative perceptions of the International English Language Testing System which they report, affect their move to Australia.These negative perceptions are caused by: frustration due to changes to processes for migration and registration; challenges regarding the structure of IELTS including timing of when test results expire, scoring requirements, cost, and suitability; and the resulting feelings of inadequacy caused by the test itself. Conclusion: This study has shown that some respondents have experienced difficulties in relation to the International English Language Testing System as part of their migration process. It was found that there is very little research into the effectiveness of the IELTS as it is currently administered for overseas health care professionals. Several recommendations are provided including areas for further research.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/37382