Level of English Proficiency among Science Students of UKM

Abstract

The command of the English Language of the science students is measured from two perspectives. Firstly using the MUET as an objective assessment and secondly using the self-evaluation questionnaire as a subjective assessment. Students’ self-evaluation means the perception of their English Language proficiency level in reading, listening, writing and speech. In addition, the frequency using English in various situations and environments, the degree of priority given to English in the teaching and learning (TnL) and confidence when communicating in English are accounted as components in this perception. The weighted combination of these components is used as a numerical score of the students’ English Language proficiency. This subjective assessment is found to be compatible with MUET scores since proficiency scores increase as MUET scores increase with a high correlation value. Hence, numeric scores produced by this study are highly reliable and can be used as valid indicators in determining the English proficiency of science students of UKM. Results of the analysis also found a difference in the English proficiency between students of different faculties. English proficiency scores among FKAB students is found to differ significantly compared to students of the other three faculties (FST, FTSM and FPend) at UKM. Students with higher scores are more agreeable to the notion that TnL in English can improve the mastery of their English Language. This study, however, pointed out that the language used at home does not play any role in the students’ English language proficiency.