Mohd. Khairul Abu Sufi and Engku Haliza Engku Ibrahim
Pertanika Journal of Social Science and Humanities, Volume 29, Issue S3, December 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.47836/pjssh.29.s3.05
Keywords: CEFR, English placement test, second language, writing proficiency
Published on: 30 November 2021
The goal of this research was to determine the English language writing skills of the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) graduating undergraduates based on two linguistic levels; the IIUM English Proficiency Test (EPT) and the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), based on two descriptors: IIUM’s EPT descriptor, and CEFR’s ‘General linguistic range’ descriptor (Council of Europe, 2001, p 110). The EPT results show that the majority (48 %) of the English language writing skills of IIUM undergraduates were in Band 6, while Band 5.5, Band 5 and Band 4, respectively, ranked 31.3%, 4.9% and 0.4%. On the other hand, Band 8, Band 7 and Band 6.5 were attained by 0.2%, 2.4% and 12.2% of undergraduates. A significant proportion of IIUM undergraduates (46.3 %) were found to be at Level B2 + when assessed against the CEFR scale for the ‘General linguistic range.’ At the same time, 2.2%, 12.4%, 33.9 and 5.2% of students were at Level C2, C1, B2, B1 +, respectively. The results also showed that a mere 0.2% was at Level B1. This research also showed that despite some inaccuracies and improper uses, IIUM students could write effectively and understand and use reasonably complicated language, particularly in familiar situations. Based on the CEFR scale for ‘General linguistic range’, the results of this study show that IIUM graduating undergraduates could clearly articulate themselves in their writing.
ISSN 0128-7702
e-ISSN 2231-8534
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