The present research work is a project that was born from a palpable reality and that affects not a few people with a view to becoming professionals and who are currently in their training stage in their professional studies.
This reality that we mention is the poor development of skills to speak a second language presented by the students of the Engineering in Development and Business Innovation career of the Technological University of San Luis Potosí. Starting from the easily observable results, we set ourselves two primary objectives for our research.
The first of them is to discover with the greatest possible certainty what is the reason for this phenomenon that immediately affects not only the students of said career, but also the credibility of the language department and the established training program.
The second is to provide the information and results for the creation and implementation of a new and more efficient training program that provides the entity's business society with a body of graduates with the communication skills necessary to enter the labor field.
Through observation, studies, historical background, survey work, analysis of results and generation of conclusions, we present our hypotheses to the community interested in the subject so that the reader can make use of them. We hope they are really a genuine contribution to the entity.
Keywords:
- EducationEnglish Research
INTRODUCTION
Since the beginning of its operations in our region, the UTSLP has shown the concern to train TSUs and Engineers who are able to join the labor market in a short term and develop professionally in different areas of industry and commerce in the entity.
Part of this occupation is training in learning a second language, specifically English. However, through the generations this has been an area of constant opportunity in the institution, seeing the poor results that have been obtained when graduating students who have passed the institutional program.
According to the engineering training program in Business Development and Innovation, in its mission it tells us that it will train competent people with an engineering level, capable of joining the work activity by applying and sharing the technical and practical knowledge obtained, to contribute to social welfare and sustainable development of the entity.
Similarly, the vision of the Technological University is to be an «educational program recognized for the professional and human quality of its graduates», highlighting the «solid link with the business sector».
Justification
The graduate student of Engineering in Business Development and Innovation at UTSLP needs to reach a competitive level in mastering a foreign language, which allows them to expand their possibilities of positioning within the local business sector environment.
The English language is essential at the time of insertion in the labor market, the opportunities multiply when the applicant for a job has a certain degree of command of the foreign language.
Currently, English is becoming an essential tool in the professional field, since we are increasingly multi-ethnic and the areas of employment are very varied. Therefore, knowing the language helps to break down communication barriers between people, promoting personal and professional growth.
Overall objective
Make a diagnosis within our research environment that allows us to identify the cause for which the students have not developed the ability to speak the English language.
Specific objectives
- Determine the students' level of interest in learning to speak English Analyze the teaching system that is being used at UTSLP.
Approach to the research topic
Why the students of the Business Development and Innovation Engineering do not speak English fluently, after having studied this foreign language for three years within the study program of the Technological University of San Luis Potosí.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
Conceptual framework
Definitions
Investigation
For (Ander-Egg, 1992: 57), research is a reflective, systematic, controlled and critical procedure that aims to discover or interpret the facts and phenomena, relationships and laws of a certain field of reality… -a search for facts, a way to know reality, a procedure to know partial truths, -or better-, to discover not partial falsehoods.
Quantitative investigation
The quantitative methodology according to Miguel (1998), "is one that is aimed at collecting objectively measurable information" (p. 63). Álvarez (1990) points out that quantitative techniques for obtaining information require mathematical support and allow the quantification of the result. They are used mainly to obtain primary data, especially on characteristics, behaviors and knowledge.
Explanatory studies
This type of study looks for the reason for the events, establishing cause-effect relationships.
Hernández, Fernández and Baptista (2003) establish these four types of research, based on the research strategy used, since the design, the data that are collected, the way to obtain them, the sampling and other components of the research process They are different.
Convenience sampling
For (Héctor J. Hurtado S. 2008) convenience sampling is probably the most common sampling technique. In convenience sampling, samples are selected because they are accessible to the researcher. Subjects are chosen simply because they are easy to recruit. This technique is considered the easiest, cheapest and the least time consuming.
Population
The population is a set of individuals of the same class, limited by the study. According to Tamayo and Tamayo, (1997), ¨The population is defined as the totality of the phenomenon to be studied where the population units have a common characteristic, which is studied and gives rise to the research data¨ (P.114)
Hurtado and Toro (1998), define that: “population is the total of the individuals or elements to which the research refers, that is, all the elements that we are going to study, for this reason it is also called the universe. (p.79) ".
De Barrera (2008), defines the population as a: "set of beings that have the characteristic or event to study and that are framed within the inclusion criteria" (p.141)
Shows
The sample is the one that can determine the problem since it is capable of generating the data with which the failures are identified within the process. According to Tamayo, T. and Tamayo, M (1997), affirms that the sample ¨ is the group of individuals that is taken from the population, to study a statistical phenomenon¨ (p.38)
A sample is called a part of the population to be studied that serves to represent it. Murria R. Spiegel (1991).
Sampling
In the opinion of (Vargas, 2010), sampling is a technique used in statistics that is essential in research to select the subjects to whom we will apply the chosen research techniques, according to the approach in which they work (quantitative, qualitative or mixed).
Survey
In this regard, Mayntz et al., (1976: 133) cited by Díaz de Rada (2001: 13), describe the survey as the systematic search for information in which the researcher asks those investigated about the data they want to obtain, and then collects these individual data to obtain aggregated data during the evaluation.
Questionnaire
The survey questionnaire must contain a series of questions or items regarding one or more variables to be measured. Gómez, (2006: 127-128) refers that basically two types of questions are considered: closed and open.
- Closed questions contain fixed response categories that have been delimited, the answers can include two possibilities (dichotomous) or several alternatives. This type of question allows to previously facilitate the coding (numerical values) of the responses of the subjects. Open questions do not delimit the answer alternatives in advance, they are used when there is no information about the possible answers.
Role of a questionnaire in a survey
For (Femenía Millet, 2009) the result of a survey depends largely on the questionnaire and the way it is presented. It is often said that a survey cannot be better than your questionnaire, that the answers cannot be better than the questions because if they are not clear, precise or misleading, the answers will be obscure, imprecise and ambiguous.
Data analysis and response coding
Data analysis is not a phase of the research process but a process in continuous progress, dynamic and creative (Taylor and Bodgan, 1986: 158), which occurs simultaneously with the collection, codification and interpretation and narrative writing of the data.
Understood in this way, analysis is a process that includes coding as one of its parts, the one in which the data is segmented and reorganized by means of codes or categories that support the interpretive work with the data. Thus, coding is understood as a particular analytical procedure (Coffey and Atkinson, 2003: 37; Maxwell, 1996: 12; Strauss and Corbin: 2002).
For their part, Coffey and Atkinson (2003: 12) consider that “analysis is a cyclical process and a reflective activity; the analytical process must be broad and systematic but not rigid, the data is fragmented and divided into significant units, but a connection with the whole is maintained; and the data is organized according to a system derived from itself. As a whole, analysis is a data-driven inductive activity. " Regarding coding, this definition indicates that the categories that are developed must conform to the data and not vice versa, so that concepts are not used in a static and definitive way that force the data to "fit" into them.
Referential framework
On the official website of the University (Technological University of San Luis Potosí. (2015). Our History. March 16, 2015, of Technological University of San Luis Potosí Website: http://utslp.edu.mx/index.php / utslp / viaje-historia /) mentions that in 1991 the first Technological University emerged in the country and in 1997 the project for San Luis Potosí was crystallized, along with seven other universities in different states of the Republic.
Being, knowing and doing are the fundamental axes that guide the model that sustains them and gives them life within the framework of the community that surrounds them, to activate it for the benefit of it and the industrial sector, establishing a relationship between academic planning and education. job offer. (Technological University of San Luis Potosí. (2015). Educational Model. March 16, 2015, of the Technological University of San Luis Potosí Website:
As of 2010, the Technological University of San Luis Potosí offers the opportunity to continue their studies by offering 5 engineering degrees.
The educational model proposes a technological training with a humanistic vision, with a view to the students as integral beings, whose vocations, aptitudes, knowledge and skills must be harmoniously encouraged so that they can flourish fully.
The Technological University of San Luis Potosí ((Technological University of San Luis Potosí. (2015). Educational Model. March 16, 2015, of the Technological University of San Luis Potosí Website: http://utslp.edu.mx/index. php / utslp / model-educational /) is distinguished by the constant search for continuous improvement of its educational programs and internal processes.
According to what the official page of the University cites us (Technological University of San Luis Potosí. (2015). UT Certifications. March 16, 2015, of Technological University of San Luis Potosí Website: http://utslp.edu.mx /index.php/utslp/certificaciones/) is the first institution of higher education in the
State that achieved certification in the International Standard ISO 9001: 2000.
Committed to its mission of training professionals through relevant and quality higher education programs, the Technological University of San Luis Potosí was accredited in 2013 as an institution that offers quality TSU educational programs by the Inter-institutional Committees for the Evaluation of Higher Education (CIEES).
As a way of contextualizing the point of origin of our research, I would like to comment that the teaching of languages in our country has not been encouraging at all since it is taken as a subject in our academic programs. And through our study we want to find the causes, in order to be able to make a contribution to the Institution in which we are currently developing our career.
The Diario MX de Juárez publishes an interview with Graciela Larrea de la Rosa, academic head of the Language Center of the Autonomous University of Ciudad Juárez (Carrasco Horacio. (2012). Teaching English in public schools fails. March 16, 2015, of El Diario Mx Juárez Website: http://diario.mx/Local/2012-11-19_65f59fc8/fracasa-la-ensenanza-del-ingles-en-escuelas-publicas/) in which it tells us that the lack of English proficiency is due to several factors:
An article in Forbes magazine (Forbes staff. (2013). Mexico resists learning English. March 16, 2015, from Forbes, Mexico Website: http://www.forbes.com.mx/mexico-califica-bajo -en-proficiency-of-english-ef-education-first /) shows the result of an investigation to check the level of English knowledge of upper secondary students in several countries, which highlights the following:
- Mexico is one of the only 4 Latin countries that experiences a decrease in its EPI (English Proficiency Index) score, being below countries such as Argentina, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Brazil and Peru, so that Mexico can meet the demand for education from English to its 12 million students at the elementary level requires recruiting and training at least 85,000 English teachers.
Then, we find that the educational authorities of the country do perceive the lack of command of the foreign language among the student population of our schools. However, we still do not achieve the expected results.
Part of the problem is that during their studies, students find themselves in a group of thirty, forty or even more students. Then, the foreign language teacher is faced with the question: How can I make my students speak English?
From here we start with the theory that it is necessary to use a teaching method, of which there is a great variety within the teaching work.
We are going to mention a method whose original name is "Cooperative Language Learning" quoted in the book (Jack C. Richards & Theodore S. Rodgers. (2001). Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching. England: Cambridge University Press) which mentions the following structure:
It has been defined as an exchange of information between learners in groups in which each student is responsible for their own learning and is motivated to increase the learning of others. ”
METHODOLOGY
Design of the investigation
The research method consisted of an explanatory field research to a representative sample of 49 respondents, the instrument for collecting the information will be a previously structured questionnaire.
Kind of investigation
According to our scope, it is explanatory since we know the effect regarding low command of the foreign language, and therefore we want to know the cause of it.
Information sources
According to our basic sources of information, primary data was considered for the realization of this project, such as the work done in class, instruments to be applied, exams, etc.
Determination of the study population
Our population to study will be men and women in an age range between 20 and 45 years.
Only the Engineering in Development and Business Innovation career was considered, taking into account the three groups, a universe of 55 students studying the career was determined, with a confidence level of 95% and a margin of error of 5%.
The sample was determined by the following formula:
- N = Size of the universe = 55 students Z = Desired confidence level = 96
Depending on the level of confidence that we want to obtain, we will use a certain value that is given by the shape of the Gaussian distribution.
95% confidence level -> Z = 1.96
- e = It is the maximum margin of error = 5% p = It is the proportion that we expect to find = 50%
As a general rule, since you do not have any information about the expected value.
The result of the formula gave us 49 surveys to carry out.
Sampling type
The convenience sampling was determined, in which only the Engineering in Development and Business Innovation career was selected, based on the low command of the foreign language and the high demand for it in the workplace, this decision was made by the researchers.
Determination of the method
We selected the quantitative method since it will allow us to measure and analyze the data quantitatively in relation to a dependent and independent variable in order to relate the research findings, that is, with this method we can quantify the variables by which the students of IDIE are not fluent in the foreign language.
For this method we choose to apply a previously prepared survey, through which we will be able to know the opinion or assessment of the selected subject from our sample. Once made, no qualified personnel are required to send it to the respondent.
The answers are chosen in a special way and the possible variants of standard answers are determined in the same way, which will facilitate the evaluation of the results by statistical methods.
According to the level of education of the people who are going to answer the questionnaire, it was decided to ask closed and multiple-choice questions, so that it does not take too much time and can be brief and understandable for the respondent.
Likewise, these will be easier for the candidate since they do not have to write or verbalize their thoughts but only select the alternative that best describes their answer, which will allow us to control the interview and offer us useful information.
RESULTS OBTAINED
The following graphs contain the total results of each of the questions asked to the students of the Engineering in Development and Business Innovation career, with 49 surveys being applied according to our sample.
According to what is shown in the graph, 52% of IDIE students spend an hour doing English homework, 25% less than one hour, and 23% spend 2 hours. None of them dedicate more than 3 hours.
According to the results obtained, 49% of the students consider that there is very little that they could improve their skills, when 43% consider that they can improve what is necessary, 6% nothing and 2% a lot, 0% consider that could improve your skills too.
Regarding the variables that we determined, one of these was the program in which it showed us that 57% consider that the program is deficient, 29% comment that it is not fulfilled and finally 14% believe that the time of the classes English is very little.
According to our student variable, in the graph we can see that 44% of the IDIE students do not make enough effort, 40% find it difficult to learn it and 16% do not like English.
The data presented in the graph regarding the variables of external causes tells us that 67% of the respondents do not have time to dedicate to the subject of English, 33% consider that the teacher does not have the attitude to teach the class and nobody considers it unnecessary.
CONCLUSIONS
The following graph shows the general results of the 49 surveys that were applied to the students of the Engineering in Business Development and Innovation career.
Research on the English proficiency of students at a University in Mexico
According to the data shown in this graph, it was possible to reach the conclusion, not leaving aside our objective, which is "to identify the cause why the students have not developed the ability to speak the English language", that Most students agree that the program is deficient, as a second option they comment that they do not have time, this with respect to the fact that most students study and work, another important variable to mention is that they do not make enough effort and it is very difficult for them to learn it.
Some of our respondents consider that the class time is insufficient or that the teacher has no attitude to teach the subject. And there are very few who do not like English, or who consider that the program is not fulfilled.
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