Commercial English Language Proficiency: A Case of Exit Level Commercial Major Subject Students in the School of Education at the University of Limpopo, South Africa

Abstract

This article presents the findings of a study that was conducted to assess the commercial English language proficiency of Bachelor of Education (BED) 4th and Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) students majoring in Accounting, Business Management and Economics (commercial subjects) at Limpopo University. A proficiency test consisting of items testing commercial language expression, comprehension, and vocabulary and error correction in both written and oral conversations was administered to a sample of 106 students consisting of BED fourth (4th) year and PGCE students majoring in commercial subjects. The test was developed by acclimatising existing English Language proficiency test as well as by using items identified from existing literature. The reliability of the proficiency test was tested using the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The results of the study revealed that although PGCE students on average scored higher in the proficiency test, their level of commercial language proficiency was below acceptable minimum. Furthermore, statistically significant correlations were found between general commercial English expression and Comprehension, between comprehension and Vocabulary as well as between Error correction and Vocabulary. These findings suggest that both PGCE and BED students require intensive commercial language teaching. Furthermore, actions to improve the level of commercial language proficiency of both groups are recommended. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n14p386