Indonesian EFL Journal
Vol. 11 No. 3 (2025)

EXPLORING ENGLISH PROFICIENCY LEVELS OF INDONESIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS THROUGH ENGLISHSCORE BASED ASSESSMENT

Diah Kurniati (Universitas Muria Kudus, Indonesia)
Ahdi Riyono (Universitas Muria Kudus, Indonesia)
Achmad Solaeman (Universitas Muria Kudus, Indonesia)
Arceli R. Millan (Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, Philippines)
Nooreen Noordin (Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia)



Article Info

Publish Date
20 Nov 2025

Abstract

English language proficiency is a critical competency for university students in Indonesia, serving as a gateway to academic achievement, global engagement, and professional advancement. Despite its importance, limited empirical data exist on students' actual proficiency levels, especially through mobile-based assessments designed to reflect real-world language use in context. This study investigates the English proficiency of Indonesian undergraduate students using the EnglishScore mobile application—an internationally recognized assessment tool that differs from traditional exams like TOEFL or IELTS by offering short, adaptive, and skills-specific tests accessible via smartphones. Utilizing a quantitative descriptive design, the study assessed 1.216 students from various departments on grammar, vocabulary, reading, and listening, aligned with CEFR standards. Results show that 55% of students are at A1, 28% at A2, 12% at B1, and only 3% at B2. These findings reveal a substantial gap between expected and actual proficiency levels after years of formal instruction. The research highlights the urgent need for universities to adopt communicative, proficiency-oriented curricula and leverage mobile-based diagnostics to inform instruction. Mobile tools like EnglishScore, which mirror authentic language use by simulating everyday communicative tasks, offer scalable, low-barrier alternatives for assessment. This study contributes to the underexplored area of digital language testing in Indonesia and provides actionable insights for policymakers and educators to enhance language learning strategies through technology-informed policy and pedagogy. 

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Journal Info

Abbrev

pub

Publisher

Subject

Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

The scopes of the journal include critical issues of educational practices in primary, secondary and tertiary education as well as in university level surrounding: English Language Pedagogy Language Acquisition Bilingualism and Multilingualism English language Literacy English for Specific Purposes ...