ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN SOMALIA

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between English language proficiency ( as measured by the English language GPA the student obtains from his/her secondary school ) and academic achievement ( as measured by the student’s GPA from the examination in the first semester ) of undergraduate students in Somalia. Sample size of 100 students was selected from SIMAD University students, especially faculty of business and accountancy final year students. Both primary and secondary date was used in order to answer research questions. Questionnaire and content analysis were used as a research instruments. It has been identified that there are other factors, other than English language proficiency, that affect students’ academic performance, the results revealed that English language proficiency has insignificant positive relation with their academic achievement and that there is an insignificant impact of English language proficiency on student’ academic achievement. Based on these findings, it is recommended to give a special attention to the students’ preparation for post secondary studies, improve students’ study skills and the overall factors that determine students’ academic achievement.