A Study on Performance Diagnosis of College English Courses in General Education after Core Competency-Based Reform －The Case of I University

Abstract

This study conducted a basic learning performance diagnosis for each College English course falling under the purview of basic general education. In line with the five core competencies of I University, the area of foreign language in basic general education focused on communication competency. This study explored the reactions of students taking College English courses to examine whether each course matched the core competency focused on communication, especially the basic learning competence for English communication skills and experiences acquired through the knowledge provided and what changes were needed in the curriculum to improve students’ English communication competence. Through a survey, educational improvements recognized by students who participated in College English I (reading), College English II (listening), and College English III (speaking) classes were compared and analyzed. The performance diagnosis for the study aimed to measure learning performance obtained through each course and utilize it as a basic mean for improving curricula for College English courses. For performance diagnosis, the Learning Performance Diagnosis Tool developed by the Korea National Institute for General Education’s General Education Standards in 2016 was selected. Diagnosis questions from the areas of “basic learning competency” and “knowledge and experience” were selected, and each question was measured using a 5-point Likert scale. The performance diagnosis survey involved 1,366 of 2,063 students (66.2%) in all three courses. Based on the analysis result, students reported that their English communication competency had improved in each course. This result could be interpreted as indicating that the core competency pursed in the area of foreign language at I University and the direction of education pursued in College English courses were appropriate. However, slightly different from basic learning competence area, the performance indicators relating to class activities questions in knowledge and experience area were found to be lower than that of other questions. During the semester, online and offline classes had been conducted depending on the COVID-19 situation, and it can be assumed that this situation resulted in many inconveniences in terms of utilizing effective class activities where students could interact with the professor and classmates. It also seemed urgent to develop effective non-face-to-face or online class activities to prepare for the COVID-19 pandemic era.