Basic English Language Communication Proficiency of AIMS Maritime Students

This study assessed the English language proficiency of first and second-year Bachelor of Science in Maritime Transportation (BSMT) and Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering (BSMarE) students at the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies (AIMS) during the first semester of the academic year 2013-2014. Specifically, the study determined the proficiency levels of the students in Reading and Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, Spelling, and Essay Writing. It also identified if there exist a significant difference between the two groups of students. The results provided recommendations to improve the English language proficiency of the students. Employing descriptive research design, a total of 317 students were sampled from a population of 2,996 first and second-year students across the two programs. The samples are broken down into the following clusters: 127 first-year BSMT students, 50 first-year BSMarE students, 90 second-year BSMT students, and 50 second- year BSMarE students. The study used standardized written-English language proficiency tests, patterned after TOEFL, which included twenty-five questions in each key proficiency area. Scores were categorized into seven levels, from "No Proficiency" to "Excellent." Results showed that spelling was the strongest skill for both first and second-year students, with high proficiency levels. Vocabulary was the weakest, with nearly all students failing on this section. Reading and comprehension, essay writing, and grammar were at an average level. There were no significant differences in proficiency levels between first and second-year students in most areas, except for vocabulary, where performance was uniformly low. Recommendations include the development of a special vocabulary learning program as well as the creation of additional lessons in writing and editing students’ own work.