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The relationship between proficiency in English, Grade 12 English results and the academic success of first year students

This research investigated the possible correlation between English proficiency
and academic success in Internal Auditing 1 of learners registered at the Vaal
Triangle Technikon.
Acquisition of a Second language was investigated with reference to Additive and
Subtractive bilingualism, Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills, and Cognitive
Academic Language Proficiency. Factors that influence the acquisition of a L2
were also discussed.
Factors that influence learning through a Second language, problems experienced
by learners learning through a Second language and the coping mechanisms they
use were investigated.
The specific language situation in South African education was explained starting
with a short historical background of English in South African schools. General
problems experienced at schools, language problems experienced at schools, the
language proficiency of teachers and how they cope with the language problems
were discussed. Language problems experienced by the learners and its effect on
higher education were also investigated.
A questionnaire was used to gather information regarding respondents' school
history, First language, experiences with English as a subject at school,
experiences of English as language of instruction, and their views on Internal
Auditing 1 as a subject.
Respondents' English proficiency was determined through three instruments,
namely Grade 12 English Second language results, an English proficiency test
and an English writing performance test. There is a discrepancy between tile
respondents' own perception of their English proficiency and their English
proficiency as reflected by their Grade 12 English Second language results, the
proficiency test and the writing performance test. While respondents felt that their
English proficiency is average or above average, the tests indicated that their
English proficiency is very low.
Despite the respondents' very tow levels of English proficiency they reported that
they did not find the English used in different situations relating to Internal Auditing
1 difficult and no significant correlation could be determined between their English
proficiency levels and their academic success in Internal Auditing 1. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/1019
Date11 1900
CreatorsVenzke, Shirley
ContributorsDe Witt, M.W. (Maria Wilhelmina), 1946-
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeDissertation
Format1 online resource (xiv, 163 leaves)

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