Relationship between an english language program and student's performance in national standardized tests

Abstract

This research paper attempts to analyze the relationship between the results obtained by a group of Industrial Engineering students in the English module of the Saber Pro test and the English program they completed at a language institute where this study took place. In order to carry out this study, the methodology followed was based on the Critical Theory Paradigm, using a quantitative approach in which both a small portion of quantitative data was incorporated. Since the study focuses on the Industrial Engineering program, it is possible to state that we are going to work with a case study design. The instruments used were: Documents analysis, interviews, observations, surveys and statistical analysis. This paper contributes to a general understanding of the English program itself and its impact on students’ performance in the Saber Pro Test. Results can benefit different stakeholders such as academic and administrative staff, the teachers and the students in order to examine how the program helps the students to reach the level of English proposed by the institute (B1) and in general how it helps students develop their language skills. Results in these standardized tests are used to rank the universities at national level therefore they are an important source of information.