Impact of English Proficiency on Academic Performance of International Students

AbstractUsing an ex-post facto, non-experimental approach, this research examined the impact of English language proficiency and multilingualism on the academic performance of international students enrolled in a four-year university located in north central Louisiana in the United States. Data were collected through a self-reported questionnaire from 59 students who were in their sophomore, junior or senior year of college. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in language proficiency and multilingualism in relation to academic performance. The highest mean GPA was evident among students who had reported high levels of self-perceived English language proficiency, and among students who spoke at least three languages.Keywords: International students, self-perceived English proficiency, multilingualism, academic performance.In recent years, the number of international students in U.S. institutions of higher education has increased to a record high. According to the Institute of International Education (IIE, 2013), the number of international students studying in U.S.-based postsecondary institutions increased by 7% during 2012-2013 compared to the previous academic year (IIE, 2013). The top three countries with most international students in the United States were China (28.7%), India (11.8%), and South Korea (8.6%) as reported by IIE (2013). Unlike domestic students, international students, especially those from non- English speaking countries, might have difficulties understanding lectures and interacting with their professors due to lack of English proficiency (Ramsay, Barker, & Jones, 1999; Selvadurai, 1998). According to Cummins (1983), it usually takes longer for immigrant students to reach academic norms in a second language (i.e., 5 to 7 years) than to acquire interpersonal communication skills required for day-to-day conversation (i.e., about 2 years). It is assumed that international students from non-English speaking backgrounds (NESB) who reside temporarily in a host country for the purpose of obtaining a degree might take even longer to obtain academic skills in the second language, and their limited language skills might be one of the determinants directly or indirectly influencing their academic success. Therefore, their language proficiency might be a key factor in their academic success (Daller & Phelan, 2013).This research was conducted to investigate the relationship between self-perceived English language proficiency and academic performance of international students in a 4-year university located in north central Louisiana, with the hope of providing insights for administrators or faculty members who wish to promote international students' academic success. Furthermore, the relationship between multilingualism and academic performance was also investigated in this study, hoping to fill the gap that exists in the current literature.Related LiteratureExisting research on factors contributing to academic achievement of students in higher education reveals a number of factors in multiple dimensions. In general, these factors fall into the following four categories: academic, psychosocial, cognitive, and demographic (McKenzie & Schweitzer, 2001). All these factors have been extensively explored and examined by previous research. For example, among academic factors, prior academic achievement (e.g., McKenzie & Schweitzer, 2001; McKenzie, Gow, & Schweitzer, 2004), learning skills and habits (e.g., Abbott- Chapman, Hughes, & Wyld, 1992), learning strategies (i.e., general learning strategies, subject-matterspecific strategies) and approaches (e.g., Duff, Boyle, Dunleavy, & Ferguson, 2004; Pokay & Blumenfeld, 1990; Sadler-Smith, 1996; Watkins & Hattie, 1981) were explored as variables influencing academic performance. With regard to the psychosocial dimension, social integration into the university system, motivation, anxiety, social and emotional support, and psychological health were explored (e. …