The relationship between proficiency in English, Grade 12 English results and the academic success of first year students
Year: 2009
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This research investigated the possible correlation between English proficiency \nand academic success in Internal Auditing 1 of learners registered at the Vaal \nTriangle Technikon. \nAcquisition of a Second language was investigated with reference to Additive and \nSubtractive bilingualism, Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills, and Cognitive \nAcademic Language Proficiency. Factors that influence the acquisition of a L2 \nwere also discussed. \nFactors that influence learning through a Second language, problems experienced \nby learners learning through a Second language and the coping mechanisms they \nuse were investigated. \nThe specific language situation in South African education was explained starting \nwith a short historical background of English in South African schools. General \nproblems experienced at schools, language problems experienced at schools, the \nlanguage proficiency of teachers and how they cope with the language problems \nwere discussed. Language problems experienced by the learners and its effect on \nhigher education were also investigated. \nA questionnaire was used to gather information regarding respondents' school \nhistory, First language, experiences with English as a subject at school, \nexperiences of English as language of instruction, and their views on Internal \nAuditing 1 as a subject. \nRespondents' English proficiency was determined through three instruments, \nnamely Grade 12 English Second language results, an English proficiency test \nand an English writing performance test. There is a discrepancy between tile \nrespondents' own perception of their English proficiency and their English \nproficiency as reflected by their Grade 12 English Second language results, the \nproficiency test and the writing performance test. While respondents felt that their \nEnglish proficiency is average or above average, the tests indicated that their \nEnglish proficiency is very low. \nDespite the respondents' very tow levels of English proficiency they reported that \nthey did not find the English used in different situations relating to Internal Auditing \n1 difficult and no significant correlation could be determined between their English \nproficiency levels and their academic success in Internal Auditing 1.
Author: Shirley Venzke
Language: English
Subfield: Linguistics and Language
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2258930656