Study of English Language Skills of the First Year KDU Undergraduates with Special Reference to Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities

Abstract

English language has already become knowledgebase of the twenty-first century. According to Examinations Department of Sri Lanka 2013, the highest number of fail grades among school students was for the English Language. It has specified that 52.14 % of school candidates have failed the English Language Examination. As per the latest updates of Sri Lankan education system, according to the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination syllabus, apart from the three main subjects and the Common General Test, candidates may apply for the subject, "General English" too. KDU, being a unique university in Sri Lanka, is striving to achieve international standards having recognized the importance of English for its undergraduates. Despite the fact that, achieving the proficiency of four skills is important for a language learner, achieving competent language skills is a prime necessity for undergraduates who are seeking to be compatible future professionals in the current society in Sri Lanka. Therefore, it is highly essential for all the undergraduates of KDU as their medium of instruction for the bachelor studies is English. Thus, this study determined to identify whether the undergraduates of KDU of the Faculty of Management Social Sciences and Humanities posses the expected language skills benchmarks according to national international standards. The study was carried out, selecting the sample of 30 undergraduates from each of the three departments of the FMSH of KDU, following convenience sampling method. The results of the study showed that 63% of the undergraduates, had not possessed the expected language competency levels at the beginning of the semester but they have showed a significance improvement within the first semester language learning improvements and 87% have achieved UTEL band 5 towards the end of the first semester. Thus, it proves tha the FMSH of KDU is qualifying the undergraduates for national and international standards of English language.