ENGLISH LANGUAGE MASTERY FOR THE ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY IN INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION 4.0: HOW IS IT DIFFERENT BETWEEN WOMEN AND MEN?
Golda Juliet Tulung
Sam Ratulangi University
Abstract
Language is the main key for the access to information and technology. English language in particular has become an international language or a global lingua franca in which its mastery is very important. The impact of globalization on various human life is so obvious in the present era of Industrial Revolution 4.0, and consequently, universities as the provision of human resources are more challenged with the demand of highly competitive graduates with a mastery of English language. In this presentation the focus is on university students English proficiency based on the TOEFL score to see particularly on female students- language proficiency and how it is different from that of male. This research is a descriptive study that describes the results of students- English language proficiency in one of the universities in Manado. The method used is quantitative method. The instrument in this study is the TOEFL Prediction test with three main components of Listening Comprehension, Structure and Written Expression, and Reading Comprehension. The data analysis is conducted to see the gender differences in English language skills. The mastery of English language is a vital tool in achieving women empowerment to the access of information and technology. There are differences between female and male students in their English mastery. Assumptions to favor female learning in acquiring the language they are exposed to and of female superiority in language development will be supported or refuted as this study uncover its results.
Keywords: English language; information and technology; gender differences
Topic: Information, technology, and women