The Implication of Language Background of Students’ Academic Performance: Case Study of Islamic University of Technology

Abstract

Learning is an academic setting accomplished through a language. A language of instruction is used to deliver explanations about concept that is taught, discussion among students and teachers, solve academic tasks such as exercises and assignment. In IUT, students are drawn from different OIC countries whose language background is either the host countries language e.g. Bangla or other OIC member state languages e.g. French, Arabic or English and the like. This study investigates the implications of students’ language background towards their academic performance in IUT with specific objectives of assessing the impact of student’s level of English Language proficiency against their academic performance, and determining the relationship between the constructs of level of English Language proficiency and academic performance. The quantitative research design that used close-ended questionnaires to collect data about implication of language background on students’ performance. In the study a five point Likert scale was employed to explore an instruction and describe concepts of a language that encourage better academic performance among students at IUT using a sample size of 300 students of whom 250 responded. It was discovered that the implication of writing on students’ performance was small and depended on insight it was viewed in. Secondly, reading played an important part in building students’ confidence, increases participation and self-expression. Third, it was noted that perceived understanding had slight negative impact on student performance and, finally reading as part of background language had a significant Positive role in performance of students. From the above a general conclusion is that languages played an important part of learning therefore directed how well students can achieve in there engineering education. Conclusively, it is not language alone that encourage positive performance in engineering education. Other factors such as background of student in terms of origin, students’ interest in course etc. also influenced students’ academic performance. Further study in future could explore other factors that determine students’ performance and issues of language to improve engineering knowledge and skills. Key Words: Language proficiency, Students academic performance, & instruction