Improving the academic outcomes of undergraduate ESL students: the case for discipline-based academic skills programs

This article examines the impact of an adjunct English language tutorial program on the academic performance of first-year Architecture students. With increasing numbers of international students enrolling in Australian universities, language and academic skills programs have shifted from generic to more discipline-specific models; however, there has been little research on the effects of these programs on ESL students' academic performance. This study uses a mixed-method approach to evaluate the effectiveness of an English as a second language (ESL) intervention program. Findings indicate that students value a highly discipline-specific approach to language and academic skills support and that regular participation in a content-based ESL program can lead to positive learning outcomes for students. Preliminary findings also suggest that there are positive longer-term benefits on students' academic outcomes. The authors suggest the need for longitudinal studies on the impact of discipline-based programs for ESL students.