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Ed459 Assignment 3
ED459 Advanced Educational Research

Course coordinator: Dr Mesake Rawaikela.
Assignment 3.
Merle Takinana (S79027200)

Title of research:
Obstacles faced by Foundation English language learners at the College of Foundation Studies, USP.

1. Abstract:

The aim of this study is to find out the difficulties that Pacific Island students English language proficiency on academic success of Foundation students at the College of Foundation Studies at the University of the South Pacific. These students have had twelve years of education and had to sit public exams and a compulsory pass in English has allowed them entry into tertiary studies. However it has been noticed that many of these students are lack the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing which are important for academic success. Although this study is drawn from Pacific Island students it is assumed that the problem described and the proposed solutions can be applied to tertiary students who are not native speakers of English.

2. Introduction:
The English language has become the language of communication for millions of people throughout the world. Native and well as non-native English speakers use English for business, education and entertainment. This is partly due to the dominance of Britain and the United States of America as world leaders in education, trade, entertainment and technology. More and more people are now studying English as a second language in the hope of communicating more efficiently , securing better employment opportunities and bridging gaps between peoples of different countries and cultures. It has been stated that ‘English has emerged as the world’s great lingua franca’ (Crystal,1992p.45) Hence if a person is proficient in English and is able to demonstrate that one can speak, write and read English well then one can achieve one’s aims of becoming a successful businessman or academic. Many economists emphasize that ‘English proficiency is a form of human capital in



References: Agwu, S. N; (2007), Teaching use of English to distance learners in Nigeria: curriculum implications, Postgraduate School, University of Jos, Nigeria Al-Mahrooqi, R; (2012), A student perspective on low English proficiency in Oman, International Education Studies, September 5,( 6)263 Fakeye, D. O; (2010) Students’ personal variables as correlates of academic achievement in English as a second language in Nigeria, Department of Teacher Education, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Gow, L, Kember, D and Chow, R Manh,LD; (2012) English as a medium of instruction in Asian universities: the case of Vietnam, Language Education in Asia, 3(2)263-267 Murray, N.L Ransom, L., Larcombe, W., and Baik, C. (2006), English language needs and support: International –ESL students’ perceptions and expectations. University of Melbourne, Australia. Stephen, D.F, Welman, J.C. and Jordaan, W.J; (2004) English language proficiency as an indicator of academic performance at a tertiary institution, Journal of Human resource Management, 2(3), 42.53 APPENDIX

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