Bridging the Quality Gap in English Language Education Between Post-secondary Education and Public Schools in Qatar

Abstract

This chapter investigates the disparity between the outcomes of public schools in Qatar and the admission requirements for post-secondary education in Qatar. It examines the initiatives developed in the country to bridge the gap, namely, the Academic Bridge Program sponsored by Qatar Foundation (QF), Teaching English Program at Qatar Community College (QCC), College of North Atlantic College-Qatar (CNA-Q) Access Program, Foundation Program at Qatar University (QU), and newly established University Foundation College in affiliation with the Northern Consortium of UK Universities (NCUK). These provisions aim to improve the levels of students in English Language, Math, Science, and core skills, which are deemed necessary for a smooth transition to tertiary education. Though this is an immediate remedy to skills gap, there are growing calls for radical reforms in public education to ensure that students are ready to begin post-secondary education by the time they leave schools.