Characterization of the results of the English proficiency of the Saber Pro exam in Speech Therapy programs in Colombia in the years 2016–2022

Abstract

Background: The inclusion of English proficiency in higher education is based on the demands of globalization and contributes to national development; This demands changes in the training processes carried out in universities. Objective To characterize the results in the English proficiency of the Saber Pro Exam in Speech Therapy programs in Colombia in the years between 2016 and 2022. Methods: Quantitative research of descriptive scope; An analysis was carried out of the results of the Saber Pro Exam of the English proficiency of the Speech Therapy programs in the years 2016 to 2022 published by the Colombian Institute for the Evaluation of Education (ICFES). Results: The English proficiency in the period from 2016 to 2022 of the 15 Speech Therapy Programs presented an average of 151.06, with a maximum score of 190.00 and minimum of 129.00; The universities have an average of 154.84, with a maximum score of 200.00 and a minimum of 124.00. In the case of the reference group, the average is 149.18, with a maximum score of 154.00 and a minimum of 143.00. The Saber Pro exam becomes a metric that evolves over time and is used to examine the rise or fall in quality; English proficiency in Speech Therapy programs yielded an average that is slightly below that of the university. Conclusions: Speech therapy programs are, for the most part, according to the Common European Framework, at levels A1-A2. Therefore, the need to give greater importance to second language learning in educational institutions becomes evident.