Commitment Issues: How Commitment to Learning Affects the Relationship Between Student’s English Language Proficiency and Academic Performance of Students in International Program

Abstract

Thai universities are now offering more classes with English as language of instruction. However; for learners who are non-English speakers, juggling both academic and language learning can be a challenge. English Proficiency, while show some significance relations to academic performance of non-English speaking students in English learning environment, the assumption that better English proficiency result in better academic performance might not consistent with the reality, as students possess different level of attitude and psychological state. While previous research could only indicate substantial but unclear relationship between AP and ELP, this research attempted to identify a missing link, namely, ‘commitment to learning’, that cause student’s AP to vary. This research explored and described how student’s commitment to education affect the relationship between AP and ELP in a more human-oriented approach by considering human factor and student’s psychology into picture. This research employed a holistic approach and took background of each subject into account. Focusing on students of an international bachelor degree program, their psychological profile were established and examined alongside result of academic and English language proficiency to identify pattern in commitment to learning. Pattern of ‘commitment to learning’ were then investigated. This research further uncovered the 6 factors that influence their level of ‘commitment to learning’ which could be psychological factors that explain the inconsistency of academic performance and English language proficiency.