RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ENGLISH PROFICIENCY AND MATHEMATICAL PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
Abstract
English proficiency plays an important role in higher education, particularly in supporting students’ comprehension of academic materials and problem-solving processes. In mathematics learning at the university level, students are required not only to perform numerical calculations but also to understand problem statements and apply appropriate reasoning strategies. This study aims to examine the relationship between English proficiency and mathematical problem-solving skills among university students. A quantitative research approach with a correlational design was employed. The participants were undergraduate students from the Industrial Engineering program at Universitas Indraprasta PGRI Jakarta, selected using a purposive sampling technique. English proficiency was measured using an English proficiency test focusing on academic reading comprehension and language understanding, while mathematical problem-solving skills were assessed through problem-solving tasks based on established mathematical frameworks. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. The results indicate a positive and significant relationship between English proficiency and mathematical problem-solving skills. Students with higher levels of English proficiency tend to demonstrate better performance in solving mathematical problems, particularly those involving contextual and language-based descriptions. These findings suggest that English proficiency contributes to students’ ability to interpret mathematical information and apply effective solution strategies. The study highlights the importance of integrating language support into mathematics instruction and encourages interdisciplinary collaboration between English and mathematics lecturers to enhance students’ academic performance and problem-solving skills in higher education.
Keywords: English proficiency; mathematical problem-solving skills; university students; Industrial Engineering; correlational study
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