Why read this: An A2 retelling of a recent UK news story. Yasmin came from Iran to study in England and was shocked when many classmates could not speak English well. The article explains in simple language why this happens. Many students at this level are interested in studying abroad one day, so the topic is relevant to them.
What to notice: Notice that the article tells one student's story first (Yasmin). Then it gives a reason (universities want money). Then it gives the official answer (Universities UK says everything is fine). Each paragraph does one job. Sentences are short.
Skills practised: Reading short, direct news writing. Following a story from one person's experience to a general explanation. Learning two important phrases: tuition fees and essay mills. Answering simple comprehension questions about who, what, how much, and why.
"UK universities and English: a money problem"
"Some UK universities take students with weak English. Why? They need money."
Tap any green word in the article to see its meaning.
Yasmin is a student from Iran. She came to England to study for a master's degree. She paid 16,000 pounds for her course. Yasmin was very surprised when she started her course. Most other students were not British. Many of them had bad English. They could not understand the teacher.
Some of these students did not do their own work. They paid other people to write their assignments for them. They paid for . These companies write your work for you. In England, this is against the law. Yasmin says her course felt less valuable to her at the end.
Yasmin's story is not the only one. A teacher at a big UK university said his master's students often have weak English. Out of every 100 students, about 70 cannot follow the class. Some students used translation apps in class. Some used AI to write their work.
Why do universities take students with poor English? It is because of money. In England, British students do not pay very high for university. International students pay a lot more, sometimes 50,000 pounds. Some universities need this money to stay open. So they take students with weaker English to get the money.
Universities UK, the group of UK universities, says the universities are checking students carefully. But other people say the universities care more about money than about good English. Many UK universities are in trouble with money. Things might have to change.
Yasmin is a student from Iran. She came to England to study for a master's degree. She paid 16,000 pounds for her course. Yasmin was very surprised when she started her course. Most other students were not British. Many of them had bad English. They could not understand the teacher.
Some of these students did not do their own work. They paid other people to write their assignments for them. They paid for . These companies write your work for you. In England, this is against the law. Yasmin says her course felt less valuable to her at the end.
Yasmin's story is not the only one. A teacher at a big UK university said his master's students often have weak English. Out of every 100 students, about 70 cannot follow the class. Some students used translation apps in class. Some used AI to write their work.
Why do universities take students with poor English? It is because of money. In England, British students do not pay very high for university. International students pay a lot more, sometimes 50,000 pounds. Some universities need this money to stay open. So they take students with weaker English to get the money.
Universities UK, the group of UK universities, says the universities are checking students carefully. But other people say the universities care more about money than about good English. Many UK universities are in trouble with money. Things might have to change.
Questions
Check your understanding
- 01
How much did Yasmin pay for her course?
- 02
What is an essay mill?
- 03
Why do some UK universities take students with weak English?
- 04
List three things Yasmin says happened on her course.
Suggested length: ~50 words
- 05
Describe how an essay mill works.
Suggested length: ~50 words
Questions
Check your understanding
- 01
How much did Yasmin pay for her course?
- 02
What is an essay mill?
- 03
Why do some UK universities take students with weak English?
- 04
List three things Yasmin says happened on her course.
Suggested length: ~50 words
- 05
Describe how an essay mill works.
Suggested length: ~50 words