The language factor in students’ experience of assessments: A case study from the University of the Western Cape
Abstract
Recent statistics show that 25% of university students in South Africa drop out in their first
year of study (Stats SA, 2018). This figure is all the more worrisome when older but still
relevant statistics are considered, e.g., that only 21% of students graduate within the regulation
time (Scott et al., 2007). High drop-out rates and low throughput rates in higher education have
been discussed in terms of such factors as funding, student support, race and gender. Although
several factors contribute to high dropout rates and low throughput rates in higher education,
there is not much research that analyses the problem from the language standpoint in
assessment.