Economics students performance: does language matter?

Norasibah Abdul Jalil

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify language influence on students' performance. This study involves 55 undergraduate student who are taking the Economic Principles course at the Sultan Idris Education University. The specific objectives of the study are; to identify the choice of language for the examination, to determine students' exam performance in both languages, and lastly to measure mean score difference by language and by gender. The data are analyzed by using descriptive statistics, paired-sample-test, and one way ANOVA. Comparisons between the mean scores show students perform better in the exam conducted in Malay language compared to exams in English. The result of the paired-sample-test provides indication that there is a significant difference between the two mean scores. The one-way ANOVA test has recorded significant results in the exam conducted in English only. The findings provide two main implications. Firstly, there is a significant difference in students’ performance when the exam is conducted in Malay and in English languages. It is highly recommended the exams are prepared in dual languages (English and Malay) in order to maximize the opportunity of the good and the weak students in English to achieve their highest score in the examination. Secondly, the results also reflect that the level of English language proficiency of the students at this institution is not at competitive level, or is weaker than their level of understanding in Malay language. In relating to this, the institution may want to reconsider the structure of the English program provided for the weak. This is a correction program so that in the long run the English language program and courses at the university succeeded in producing quality students in English proficiency; equivalent to their skills in Malay language domination.

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