FACTOR ANALYSIS OF ENGLISH COMMUNICATION COMPETENCY AMONG MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY UNDERGRADUATES

His paper aimed to determine factors influencing English communication competency among Malaysian university undergraduates from technology departments at Universiti Tun Hussain Onn Malaysia (UTHM). A survey was administered to a random sample of 102 undergraduates. Factor analysis was applied to determine the underlying dimensions that influence English competency among the students. The findings revealed four critical factors: mother tongue interference, lack of confidence, lack of practice, and home environment. Thus, students need to be encouraged to communicate in English at the university and home to provide wider language practice opportunities to master communication skills in English and perform well in the technology courses.