EFL Students\u27 Acquisition of Written English Skills after Studying Abroad

AbstractThe present study investigates the degree to which the new Advanced Skills courses at the English department of a private university in the Tokyo area improve students\u27 reading ability in English after their study-abroad experience, and the way the students perceive the courses and activities. The quantitative study showed that the students\u27 reading comprehension scores did not improve significantly over the first semester that the pertinent courses were taught, but that their scores did not decline, either. The qualitative study suggested that students tend to prefer spoken English or audio-visual materials to reading comprehension practice whereas some high-proficiency students acknowledge the importance of the latter. Further studies on the same issue might help the English department integrate the EFL program at the main campus in Tokyo and ESL programs at the overseas satellite more efficiently