Articles

English and French for Academic Purposes:

Success in international higher education cannot be measured solely by how many students we recruit or how diverse our campuses look in promotional materials. Real success depends on how well we prepare and support international students after they arrive in Canada, and whether they have the tools to thrive academically, culturally and personally.

For decades, those of us in Canadian language education have known that English/French for Academic Purposes (EAP/FAP) programs are essential to that success. These are not just English or French courses; they are the bridge between aspiration and achievement, between a student’s arrival and their ability to meet the high standards of our colleges and universities. Today, we have the data to prove what experience has long told us.

Groundbreaking Canadian Research

Languages Canada, the national association representing 170 accredited English and French language education programs, commissioned Academica Group to undertake a first-of-its-kind study. Using five years of student data, researchers analyzed the academic performance of thousands of learners at six public universities and three public colleges across Canada, examining not only grades, but also retention.

The findings, published in July 2025 in Student Outcomes in Public Sector English for Academic Purposes Programs, are striking:

• In universities, international students who completed an EAP program earned higher GPAs and had stronger retention rates than peers who began their studies without this language support.
•  In colleges, EAP students performed on par with their non-EAP peers once demographics and program types were factored in, a remarkable result given their lower initial English proficiency.

In other words, well-designed EAP programs don’t lower the bar, they equip students to clear it and, in many cases, to surpass it. This is not only a win for the students themselves, but for the institutions that benefit from higher achievement, stronger retention and graduates who can compete and contribute globally.

 

Dispelling Old Misconceptions

Too often, EAP and FAP programs are misunderstood as remedial or somehow “less than” academic work. This perception is outdated and harmful. Language education is not about reducing academic expectations; it’s about giving students the tools, strategies and confidence to meet the highest standards from day one.

An effective EAP/FAP program immerses learners in the language, conventions and expectations of their chosen disciplines. Students learn to interpret complex academic texts, conduct research, present their findings and contribute to critical discussions. They are introduced to the unspoken rules of Canadian classrooms: how to work in groups, when and how to ask questions, how to maintain robust academic integrity and how to build respectful, professional relationships with faculty.

And the benefits go far beyond academics. Language programs help students navigate campus life, understand professors’ expectations and connect with peers from Canada and around the world. This sense of belonging is not a luxury. Research shows participation in these programs is one of the strongest predictors of academic achievement and retention, especially in the crucial first year.

Retention: Why It Matters to Everyone

Retention is not just an institutional statistic. For a student, making it to their second year is a sign that they have adapted academically, navigated cultural differences and built the momentum needed to complete their program. For institutions, strong retention means a better return on recruitment investments, a strong reputation for supporting students and a growing alumni network that reflects positively on the school.

From a national perspective, retention also matters for Canada’s competitiveness. Every international student who completes their studies here strengthens our talent pool, contributes to our economy and can become an ambassador for Canadian education abroad. Losing students in the first year due to preventable challenges is a cost we simply cannot afford.

A Strategic Investment in Student Success

The takeaway from this study is clear: high-quality EAP/FAP programming is not an optional add-on or a niche service for a small subset of students. It is a strategic investment in student success, institutional reputation and Canada’s position as a destination of choice for international learners.

For educators, this research reinforces the importance of advocating for strong language offerings within their institutions, programs with the resources, qualified instructors and integration into the broader academic experience that make them effective.

For decision-makers, it provides hard evidence to justify funding and staffing these programs, as well as integrating them more closely into every student’s academic journey. It also underscores the importance of ensuring that immigration and education policies work together to give students the preparation time they need before entering full-time academic study.

For international students, it is a reminder that taking the time to prepare properly can be the difference between simply coping and truly excelling in higher education. The investment of a few months in EAP/FAP can pay off in years of academic and professional success.

After many years in this field, I am not surprised by these results, but I am encouraged to see them confirmed in clear, measurable terms. When we give students the language, academic and cultural tools they need, they don’t just survive in our institutions. They excel, and in doing so, they enrich the classrooms, campuses and communities they join.