THE ABILITY
OF STUDENTS SPEAKING
IN ENGLISH ORALLY
AND IN WRITING
Dyg.Nurfarah
Hanin bt Awg Zulfikri, Fahezah bt An, Noraini bt Tahar, Sh.Mariana bt Wan
Othman, Shafrizan bt Drahman
Information
Technology and Communication Department
Politeknik
Kuching Sarawak
SUMMARY
In the present age of
globalization, English language is the second most important language in our
daily life. The use of English language is very important to prepare students
for working world. The purpose of this study is to identify the level of
students ability to speak English orally and in writing. All the necessary data
are collected through questionnaires where 10 items was prepared using a
5-point Likert scale. We have chosen the descriptive study to obtain the mean
value and the percentage of respondents. In this study, students in semester 2,
3 and 5 in Diploma In Programming have been selected for our study. The
returned questionnaires were processed by using SSPs Version 12. Through the
study we have obtained, the majority of the respondents agreed that the
students can understand what is delivered by the lecturer in the English
language at the highest average of 3.788. However, this study showed 17.3% of
the respondents use English as the medium of instruction when they are at home.
Therefore, to further strengthen the ability of students in English Language
orally and in writing, continuous action must be planned and executed by all
the parties together so that students can improve their ability level in
English Language orally and in writing.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
We
are living now in the world of globalization. English language is a common
language and spoken in many countries. It is considered as universal language
and most of the universities worldwide include English as one of their major
subject. There are major difference in writing English and speaking
English. It is not necessary that a person who can write fluent English can
also speak English fluently. English language is the most important criteria
when we are applying for a job. But most of the students
feel that English language is not important when it comes to the works
environment. Employer expected Malaysia’s Politeknik students are expected to
master in English language orally or in writing when there are in the reality
of works environment in future. Many student are still not able to fulfill
employer’s requirements. Therefore, graduates must be evaluated not only in
terms of vocational and technical education, oral and writing skill in English
language should be emphasized too. Country Manager of Manpower Staffing
Services (M) Sdn Bhd, Mr Hanggang said “Lack of English restrict students ability
to communicate outside of Malaysia and this reduces their confidence and reduce
their ability to add value in the workplace”. As a conclusion, students should not to get scared and lost
confidence when comes to English language.
2.0 PROBLEM STATEMENT
To
achieve advanced with our 2020 visions, proficiency in English is one of the
aspects to be evaluated and gives value to the country whether in terms of oral
or writing in the era of globalization. Therefore,the ability to master English
language among the students of PKS now is at an alarming rate. This is because
the level of mastery in speaking English by the PKS graduates is not comparable
with the standard of natural progression at present no matter in terms of
writing and oral. Thus, the researchers feels that there is a need to carry out
of this study to identify the level of proficiency in speaking English orally
and writing among the PKS graduates.
3.0 OBJECTIVE
The
objectives of the study are ;
1.
To identify the level of ability to use English in writing among the Politeknik
students.
2.
To identify the level of ability to use
English orally among the Politeknik students.
4.0 METHODOLOGY
The
methodology of this study is divided into to design, population and sample,
research instruments and data analysis.
4.1 The Design of The Study
This
study used the quantitative and descriptive methods. This design was chosen to
enable researchers to determine the level of English language skills orally and
in writing among the students.
4.2 Study Population and Sample
The
population consisted of 54 students in PKS who were enrolled for the Diploma In
Programming Course. The table below shows the sample at PKS in Table 1 :
Program
|
Total
|
Sample return
|
DIP2S1
DIP3S1
|
16
28
|
15
28
|
DIP5S1
|
10
|
10
|
Total
|
53
|
52
|
Table
1
4.3 Research Instrument
The
instruments used was a questionnaire distributed to the respondents. The
questionnaire consists of structured questions to get responses from the
respondents. Besides, the questionnaire is a practical and efficient way that could achieve aims of the study. The
questionnaire adopts a Likert 5-point scale of, 1 – strongly disagree, 2 –
disagree, 3 – not sure, 4 – agree and 5 – strongly agree.
4.4 Data Analysis
All
questionnaires received was processed using Statistical Package for Social
Science(SPSs) version 12. Data analysis methods used in this study were shown
in the form of mean and percentage.
The above results
show that the majority of the respondents agreed students can understand what
is delivered by the lecturer in the English language with the highest mean of 3.788. Furthermore, 63.5% of the respondents can complete the work given in the
English language with mean of 3.635. For the statement "I presented my
papers in the English language", almost half of the respondents agreed
with the statement at 46.4%. The study
also found that only 38.4% of the respondents who can do well in writing
English with a mean of 3.346.
Throughout this
study, the researcher founds that the majority of the respondent 65.3% were still
not able to communicate with their friends in English. Furthermore, 59.6% of
the respondents were not interested in reading in English with a mean of 3.192,
and only 23.1% of the respondents were able to communicate with other people.
Thus the attention should be given to those who cannot communicate with others.
Studies also showed the
respondents disagreed with the statement “I can communicate in English with a
loud and clear voice". A total of 72.5% of respondents did not agree to
attend courses or programs that can improve their English with an average of
2.863. The study also showed that 17.3% of the respondents use English Language
as the medium of instruction when they are at home.
6.0
ANALYSIS REVIEW
Based
on this research, there are still many students who have not been able to
master the English language. This situation is worrying because English is the
language used for studies at the Politeknik. To ensure the future and individual
career opportunities, Politeknik should help students to master English
language orally or in writing.
According
to studies, only a small number of respondents do not understand what was
delivered by the lecturer in English. Thus, it does not need to be worry
anymore. However, more attention should be given to this group to ensure that
all students can follow the lesson conducted. Paul Davies and Eric Pearce (2000), state that
many students say that they understand the conversations have delivered in
English, but they can not respond to that conversation because of the lack of
communication skills in English.
Additionally, the study found that a large
number of students are not able to communicate in English with their friends.
This could result in fewer students verbal skills in English. During class,
lecturer should train students to
communicate in English with each other to improve their communication
skills. “Initiatives can be done by the
students themselves in the use of English Language. As a freshman, initiatives
should be taken to use the international language as a spoken language when
communicating among themselves”. Daily News (2013)
However,
there are still a few students who can not complete the work given in English.
The Politeknik Kuching Sarawak should emphasize this case to fully prepare
students to improve English writing. Therefore, students practise to improve
their English. Implementation of English in teaching Mathematics and Science
subjects will result about 1,000 courses, especially in science and technology
at the university should be taught in the language (New Straits Times, 2002). Thus
students should be performing tasks in English as instructed by the lecturer.
The
field of writing is also an important of communication. Good writing reflects
the level of knowledge a student has in terms of grammar and general knowledge.
According to Jeremy Harmer (1998), the reason for the need to teach writing to
students who are learning English as a second language is as reinforcement,
language development, learning and most important way is to write an individual
skill.
According to the
Associate of TESOL (Teachers of English of Other Language), language
proficiency is defined as a level of masteri in which an individual can use the
target language in communication and academic. Communicating in English is an
aspect of value to determine the proficiency of students.But large number of
students are still not well in English. It is difficult for students to deal
with other people. Indeed,the Politeknik should take action to train students
to communicate in English at the Politeknik to strengthen the use of English
before dealing with other people later.
Involving
the students in the activities that can improve mastery of the language is one
of the way that can give an added value to the students in English. Many
students still do not know the advantages when attending English programs that
can improve their language proficiency. Therefore, the Politeknik are
encouraged to be active with the programs as such, to expose students in
English language skills. “Experience of implementing a student exchange program
with Korea, for example, proving the importance of communication in the English
language so that they can understood by fellow students from that country.
Results of the program showed an increase of English proficiency among the
students involved. They came back with high confidence to entrenched the use of
English language”. Taken from Daily News Online.
As we all know, English
language is the language of communication in the world. However, Politeknik
Kuching Sarawak students are still unable to communicate well in the language.
This will affect their employability that employer want employees to
communicate well in English. Therefore, the Polytechnic should train students
on how to communicate well in their workplace. The knowledge that we have must
be at par with our communication skills. Today
English language plays a very important role in getting employment. “Most of
the times our rural children score good marks in professional courses, but fail
to face the interview owing to their lack of expertise in English language.
Public opinion should be given priority while considering the universal
education policies,” said Udupi-Chikmagalur MP Jayaprakash
Hegde.
To improve the level of skills
in English, students should adopt interest in reading. Through the nature of
interest in reading, students can identify how to write correctly in English. Mostly
now, academic books printed in English to fulfill learning conditions in
schools especially in Mathematics and Science. According to David Paul (2003),
reading is the ability of students to read sentences fluently and
pronunciation, intonation, and pause right.
At Politeknik Kuching Sarawak
almost all subjects are taught in English. Students are exposed to in a group
to make a discussion and thus discussion, ended with the presentation. Here we
can identify whether the student is proficient in the English language or not. .
Additionally, these skills will be applied when the nature of employment in the
future. Therefore, the students will be expose on how to make presentations to face
with the public. According to Klein (1986), if someone wants to learn a
language, then he must always communicate using language. According to the One
Abdul Samad (in Adibah Abdul Latiff, 2004), between the skills needed to be
strengthened since childhood are language skills.
7.0 CONCLUSION
Findings collected
showed oral and writing proficiency level among the students. All statements
that have been presented showed respondent preparation in the language was at
an alarming rate. To improve speaking, students have to work hard in mastering
English Language. Mastery of the English language should be looked into because
it shows the quality of a graduate.
Therefore,
this study may have an impact on the Politeknik so that the management has to
take immediate action in improving student’s English language skills. The
student mastery level should be monitored from time to time to ensure that the
students are proficient before stepping into the working environment. The
lecturer can take the initiative by teaching in English in class and works hard
to improve the level of knowledge and proficiency in English language so that students
are able to compete in the working world. Thus, it can raise their prestigious
of Politeknik and produce quality graduates in English to face the challenges
of the working environment.
