Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques
2021, Volume 9, Issue 1, Pages: 37-43
J. Environ. Treat. Tech.
ISSN: 2309-1185
Journal web link: http://www.jett.dormaj.com
https://doi.org/10.47277/JETT/9(1)43
Application of Principal Component Analysis on
English Proficiency among Technical University
Students
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Siti Zahariah Abdul Wahab *, Yasmin Yahya , Norhatta Mohd , Nurul Sharaz Azmanuddin ,
Nurhadiana Nurulmatin 2
1Applied Statistics and Data Science Cluster (ASADS), Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Information Technology (UniKL MIIT), 1016 Jalan
Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Information Technology (UniKL MIIT), 1016 Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Received: 29/06/2020
Accepted: 05/10/2020
Published: 10/10/2020
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the level of English proficiency among students from Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian
Institute of Information Technology (UniKL MIIT). This study also observed the relationship between the level of four main skills: Reading,
Writing, Listening and Speaking by distributing an online questionnaire to 116 students from bachelor programme. The data was then
analysed using the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to reduce the dimensionality of the dataset. The research findings revealed that the
students’ level of Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking proficiency are intermediate. The findings also showed that there is a significant
relationship between each Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking proficiency of the students. On the other hand, the finding also reflects
that students acquired the lowest in writing skill. Finally, the research draws conclusion and recommendations based on the level of students’
English Proficiency and the ways to improve students’ achievement in English.
Keywords: Data analysis, Principal Component, Eigenvector, English proficiency
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communication skill (Nan, 2018). In fact, listening and speaking
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Introduction
are crucial skills that are correlated in real circumstances. To
achieve an effective communication, one must listen and
understand the conversation in order to respond in an
understandable language (Sadiku, 2015). Apart from that, a
student needs to master reading and writing skills since these two
skills are very associated. This is to ensure an effective written
communication can be achieved.
Furthermore, English proficiency is the main requirement for
students to go for a job interview. Most of the companies in
Malaysia looking for candidates who can converse and voice out
ideas in English fluently. The goal of this study was to investigate
the level of English proficiency among University Kuala Lumpur
English is recognized as the world's intermediate language.
Million people all over the world speak English as their first
language. Undeniably, English has become a global language and
it is very significant in the world trade, international relations,
technological advances, science, medicine and education. English
is not only a language, but it is a skill that one must have to grow
and excel in this challenging world. Today, Malaysia uses English
as a second language and most of the universities in Malaysia use
English as the dominant language in the classroom. Moreover, all
the lecture notes, assignment questions and exam questions are
also in English.
Looking at the vast importance of English to the worldwide,
every student is required to learn this language so that at least they
can read and write in English. However, acquiring and mastering
only reading and writing skills are not enough in order to become
a competitive student. As a great student, he must be able to read,
write, listen and speak the language well. These four skills,
reading, listening, writing and speaking should be integrated in
order to have good English proficiency and develop students’
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UniKL MIIT) students based on the four main English language
proficiency skills namely reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed to evaluate
the data throughout this study. The following research questions
were addressed in this study:
a) Is there any relationship between the four main skills:
Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking?
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Corresponding author: Siti Zahariah Abdul Wahab, Applied Statistics and Data Science Cluster (ASADS), Universiti Kuala Lumpur
Malaysian Institute of Information Technology (UniKL MIIT), 1016 Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
sitizahariah@unikl.edu.my
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