Category Archives: Higher Education

Helen Wood, Head of Schools’ Partnerships at Password, reflects on opening the FOBISIA EAL JAWS in Kuala Lumpur, sharing a UK case study on how deliberately designed, language-aware pathways can transform outcomes for multilingual learners.

Multilingual learners are routinely assessed using monolingual-normed tests, risking underestimation of their true potential. Dr Helen Wood argues that EAL practitioners need stronger assessment literacy — scrutinising test design and interpreting results more critically.

International schools often miss crucial nuances of language diversity when interviewing leadership staff about assessment practices. Without recognising how multilingual learners demonstrate understanding, schools risk misjudging student ability that strengthens culturally responsive assessment across diverse international communities.

Helen Wood, Password’s Head of School Partnerships, warns UK schools that the growing popularity of bilingual and CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) education abroad could represent serious competitive pressure — especially if English-medium schools remain rigidly monolingual or ignore the benefits multilingual learners bring.

International schools should adopt the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) as a practical, globally recognised tool for measuring and expressing students’ English language proficiency. Find out why…

Picking up on lower English language proficiency early in the course, and providing the right kind of support ensures not just better retention – but better outcomes by the time the student reaches graduation

Helen Wood, head of school partnerships at Password English Language Testing, discusses issues schools need to consider when evaluating online entrance tests for EAL learners.

Explore how universities are embedding English language testing into admissions to boost student success, strengthen recruitment, and streamline processes — with insights from ENIC North 2025.

Discover how bespoke English language testing is helping universities streamline admissions, boost enrolment, and support student success.

Learn how Password Skills Plus helps universities streamline admissions, strengthen applicant engagement, and deliver secure, branded English language testing.