COLLEGE GRADUATING STUDENTS’ GLOBAL ENGLISH PROFICIENCY

Abstract

English proficiency is often presented as a competitive advantage.  According to Miller (2018), those who are communicatively competent are deemed ready and worthy to be absorbed into the existing industries. Using the mixed-method approach, this study investigated the extent of readiness for the world of work of the teacher education graduating students of Leyte Normal University (LNU) during Semester 1, SY2019-2020 by gauging their English proficiency level at two points: before and after the English enhancement training, particularly on listening, reading and grammar.  It also aimed to find out how the training improved the participants’ English communication skills.  The training was conducted from September to November and lasted nineteen (19) hours.  It was found out that the participants’ level of proficiency in reading, listening and grammar before the English enhancement training was Below Average.  Hence, their overall level of English proficiency before the English enhancement training is Below Average.  Further, only 22.92% of the participants passed. After the training, their average level of proficiency in reading and listening was still Below Average, but Average in grammar. However, 41.79% passed and 58.20% were able to get better scores in the posttest. Overall, the participants believed that the training helped improve their English communication skills by enhancing their communicative competence and increasing their confidence to speak in English.

Keywords: Level of English proficiency, Global English Assessment, Graduating Students, Employability