Using Structural Equation Modeling Approach and Human Capital Theory to Explore the Effect of English Language Proficiency on Employment for Electrical Engineering Graduates in China

摘要

The employment problem of college graduates has evoked concern from students to politicians. Since 1999, the Chinese government has promoted an enrollment expansion policy evident in the subsequent data which identified an increased college graduation rate. Furthermore, the English language proficiency of Chinese college students was emphasized within their university academic requirements as well as from prospective employers. Consequently, there is increased pressure on Chinese college students to obtain employment after graduation. The objective of this quantitative research study was to investigate the ways in which English language proficiency affects employment attained by Chinese graduates, specifically those in electrical engineering programs. The study framework was based on human capital theory. Within the quantitative data analysis, a structural equation modeling analysis approach was used to validate the research model and test the data. The convenience sample for this study consisted of 128 electrical engineering graduates from one Chinese university. Using maximum likelihood estimation analysis, the final structural model confirmed a good fit for the model. The key findings included the following: the graduates' levels of English language proficiency have a moderate correlation with human capital, human capital has a positively significant impact on employment of graduates, and the graduates' levels of English language proficiency have no significant impact on their employment.