Academics in universities across the country have complained that increased use of mobile phones and computers is seriously affecting students' vocabulary and grasp of the English language.

"Text speak is like a virus spreading through schools and into universities, " said Prof Terry Dolan of UCD's School of English. "Text speak is not a language, it is simply a way of reducing words to fit into a defined space. The result is that students have a smaller range of vocabulary."

While most first-year students show a strong command of English, there have been increasing instances in recent years of students writing in text speak, such as using the number '4' instead of 'for'. The use of computers has also led to US spelling creeping into essays.

Prof Stephen Matterson, head of the School of English at Trinity College Dublin, said students had become "bi-lingual" over the past decade and were able to write emails and text messages one way and college essays another.

TCD students are handed a style-sheet in first year, which clarifies certain grammatical rules.

Matterson said students who had taken A Levels often possessed a higher standard of English than Leaving Cert students, although these discrepancies were levelled out after first year.

Dr Kevin Barry, Dean of Arts at NUI Galway, said the increased influence of text speak was not necessarily negative. "Text messaging has become a new kind of poetry, a playful way of using vocabulary, " he said. "I think what the problem can be is confidence. They generally have good English. They are still very able to use language, but it can be a confidence issue to get them to use it creatively."

Dr Anne O'Keefe of the Learning Support Unit at Mary Immaculate College in Limerick said: "The preparation for the Leaving Cert exam often involves the memorisation of notes, but at third level, there is more independent study involved. You have to be able to argue your case."

O'Keefe said she had only come across one case of a student using text speak throughout an entire essay.