Abstract:
This paper examines whether the income level of the family is of one of the core reasons
that has affected an undergraduate's ability to communicate in English. As most of the
courses in the university are conducted in English and future prospects in the job market
are determined by English and above all English being the lingua franca of the world
today, the competency in the language has become imperative for undergraduates. Hence
this study observes the role played by the economic status of the family in
supportinglinhibiting oncs ability to communicate in English. This is a survey conducted
focusing specifically on the first year undergraduates and on their ability to communicate
in English. This survey was based on guided interviews conducted with fifty students.
randomly chosen from the first year ELTU courses - English for communication 13U12
and Englishfor Business Communication 13012, and with their respective lecturers. The
students were also given a questionnaire. The findings prove that the income level is one
of the significant factors that encourages/inhibits communicating in English among a
number of other prominent issues, such as the social background and attitude of the
individual.
