Course Design Based On Students English Skill Cluster: A Case Study In A University Language Center
Eldwin Ilham Murpratomo, Amelia Kurniawati*, Hilman Dwi Anggana
Department of Industrial Engineering, Telkom University
Jl. Telekomunikasi No. 1, Bandung 40257, Indonesia
*ameliakurniawati[at]telkomuniversity.ac.id
Abstract
The English Proficiency Test (EPrT) is a prediction test for English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), which is a prerequisite for graduation at XYZ University. The Language Center (LaC) provides a course for EPrT preparation. The course post-test data shows that only 74% of students met the graduation prerequisites. This study aims to develop an English course design based on the students- English skill cluster. This study uses K-Means clustering approach to classify the students based on English skill. The respondents of this study are 397 students who joined the EPrT preparation course in October and November 2018. The 397 students are distributed into 3 clusters, which are 174 students in cluster 1, 116 students in cluster 2, and 107 students in cluster 3. Cluster 1 consists of students with low EPrT score, especially in listening score. Cluster 2 consists of students with moderate EPrT score but low grammar score. Cluster 2 consists of students with high EPrT score in all listening, grammar, and reading scores. Therefore, the EPrT preparation course is suggested to have 3 different levels, instead of 1 level as now. The course materials are designed to be suitable for students- initial English skill in each level.
Keywords: English course; K-Means clustering; University students
Topic: Engineering Education Research