Abstract:

English is the universal language of science and technology in a globalized world in which knowing foreign languages has become a necessity. With the aim of promoting teaching in English, the Conselleria d’Educació, Cultura i Esport of the Generalitat Valenciana, in collaboration with public universities, created the High Academic Performance (ARA) groups in the academic year 2010/2011, allowing outstanding students to enhance their potential from the beginning of their university studies. ARA groups are meant to increase the learning ability by reducing the number of students and by implementing the English language. Several institutions of the European Union are adapting their higher education systems through these groups in order to improve the teaching quality and the academic performance. For this reason, it is essential to study the perception of the implementation of ARA groups in both students and professors, as well as their evolution over time. For the third consecutive year this study is being carried out at the University of Alicante. The main objective of this study is to determine the English level of students and professors that belong to ARA groups and compare them with others that do not belong to these groups. Additionally, issues related to English were assessed. Respondents agree in the importance of teaching in English and in the advantages it entails for students. However, respondants unrelated to these groups showed a considerable lack of knowledge about them. As expected, ARA groups show higher English level in comparison to non- ARA groups, both showing a positive trend. In general students believe that working in small groups improves their knowledge. Also, a good level of English is essential for any student increasing the possibilities to find a better job in the future. For this reason, it is necessary to facilitate the visibility of these groups so students can opt for this program and take advantage of its benefits derived from teaching in English.

Keywords:

University Teaching, Students, English language, High Academic Performance (ARA) Groups.