A study of the relationships between TOEFL scores and selected performance characteristics of Arabic students in an individualized competency based training program

The study was to determine the relationship between the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores and selected performance characteristics of Arabic trainees in an individualized, competency based, training program implemented at four United States Universities.

The performance characteristics studied were academic ability, dependability, professional attitude, and ability to communicate. The trainees were rated by their English-language and their professional/ technical instructors.

Analysis of the data yielded the following results:

1 . None of the four performance characteristics were related to TOEFL scores.

2. Comparison between English-language instructors' ratings and professional/technical instructors' ratings of performance characteristics yielded no relationships except for the dependability characteristic.

3. There was a relationship between the trainee' TOEFL scores and their job classifications.

4. There was no relationship between the trainees' progress in English-language training and their job classifications.

The following recommendations were made:

1. TOEFL scores should not be used as the primary determinant of trainees' readiness to enter professional/technical training.

2. The readiness of the trainees to begin the professional/ technical training should be determined by the professional/technical instructors.

3. The level of English-language proficiency should be determined for each job category.

4. The trainees' English-language training should be given concurrently with part time professional/technical training.

5. The trainee should receive information relating to the duration, course content, location of the training sites, and cultural orientation prior to their departure from their home country.

It was recommended that future studies should be conducted to:

1. Identify specific factors that comprise performance characteristics.

2. Determine relationships between raters' backgrounds and ratings of trainees' performance characteristics.

3. Find causes of negative score trends between successive TOEFL scores.

4. Develop a model which would determine levels of English language proficiency required for a training program for foreign students.