An Examination of Factors Predicting the Academic Success of Undergraduate Second-Language Learners in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

The study examined factors contributing to the academic success of second-language learners at an English-medium public university in the United Arab Emirates in their first- through fourth year of study. The research utilized a quantitative approach via correlational analysis. The Pearson r was employed to establish the level of correlation between and among the indicated factors and provide perspectives on the strength of the relationships. Findings suggest that relationships do exist between or among the identified variables and the cumulative grade point average. The analysis found that males tend to have lower CGPAs during all four academic years. For both genders the initial IELTS scores for correlated with academic performance in the first two years, that high school track did not correlate with academic success, and that secondary academic performance had a positive correlation with academic success at the university level. Keywords: academic success, gender, English proficiency