Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris Proficiency Vol 7 - No 2 - Short-Term Intensive Course for EPT Success

Oct 1, 2026

Uploaded by Ophelia

This study investigates the effectiveness of a five-session short-term intensive English course for postgraduate students at Universitas Islam Kadiri (UNISKA) Kediri to improve English Proficiency Test (EPT) scores. EPT is structured similarly to TOEFL and serves as a key postgraduate academic requirement, yet many students fail due to limited time and insufficient targeted instruction. The course emphasizes listening, structure and written expression, and reading comprehension. Using a preexperimental one-group pretest-posttest design with 70 participants, results show a significant score improvement, supporting short, well-structured interventions strengthened by motivational strategies.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

English Proficiency Test (EPT) and TOEFL structure

Need for time-efficient targeted instruction

Abstract

Research objective and course design

Method and participants

Findings and implications

Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris Proficiency Vol 7 No 2, July 2025 MAXIMIZING ENGLISH PROFICIENCY THROUGH SHORT-TERM INTENSIVE COURSES Wildan IsnaAsyhar1, Fika Ar-rizqi Naf’ihima2 [wildan@uniska-kediri.ac.id](wildan@uniska-kediri.ac.id), [fikaan.nafihima@gmail.com](fikaan.nafihima@gmail.com) ABSTRACT This study investigates the effectiveness of a short-term intensive English course designed to improve English Proficiency Test (EPT) scores among postgraduate students at Universitas Islam Kadiri (UNISKA) Kediri. EPT at UNISKA mirrors the TOEFL structure and functions as a critical requirement for postgraduate academic standards. However, many students struggle to meet the required scores due to limited time and lack of targeted instruction. Drawing on theories of motivation (Goal Setting Theory, Achievement Goal Theory, and Behavioural Goal Setting Theory) and Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory, this research implements a five-session course focusing on listening, structure and written expression, and reading comprehension. The study uses a preexperimental one-group pretest-posttest design with 70 postgraduate participants. Findings show a significant improvement in students’ EPT scores after completing the course. The results highlight the potential of well-structured, short-term interventions in enhancing academic English proficiency in a time-efficient manner, particularly when tailored to learners' needs and supported by motivational strategies. This study offers practical insights for higher education institutions aiming to support postgraduate students in meeting English language proficiency standards. Keywords: English proficiency; English Proficiency Test (EPT) ; postgraduate students; short-term intensive course; TOEFL preparation INTRODUCTION English proficiency has been made a top prerequisite for postgraduate students in Indonesia, especially at Universitas Islam Kadiri (UNISKA) Kediri. This is where one’s mastery of academic English is assessed through the English Proficiency Test (EPT), a standardized exam quite similar to TOEFL. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)— an international standard measurement test of the knowledge of the English language by non-native speakers, mainly for use in academics (Elmes & Kunishige, 2025; Fitria, 2021; and Maharani & Putro, 2021). According to Dalimunte et al. (2025), TOEFL examines language skills that are tailored to the academic and professional fields. These fields are packaged and divided into sections. TOEFL test usually consists of three sections with 140 questions. TOEFL includes three aspects, namely (1) Listening Comprehension, (2) Structure and Written Expression, (3) Reading Comprehension. The TOEFL test always starts with Listening Comprehension consisting of Part A, B, and C, then followed by Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris Proficiency Vol 7 No 2, July 2025 Structure and Written Expression consisting of Part A and B, and the last is Reading Comprehension (Fitria, 2022) . Many students take TOEFL preparation courses not only to fulfill graduation requirements but also as part of their efforts to earn scholarships (Putri & Syarif, 2021) . In response to this need, UNISKA provides TOEFL EPT preparation learning that adapts the local format of TOEFL so that the EPT used at UNISKA reflects this structure to evaluate students'readiness to face the demands of academic English. The English Proficiency Test (EPT) and the instructional support are conducted and facilitated by UNISKA Kediri Language Center (UKLC) that has a central role in equipping postgraduate students with adequate English proficiency to fulfill academic standard requirements of the institution. The TOEFL EPT (English Proficiency Test) is a form of language assessment designed to meet specific operational needs within educational, social, and policy contexts by evaluating both the construct being measured ("what") and the method of assessment ("how"), while also cons

FAQs

What is the study’s main goal?

To evaluate how a short-term intensive English course improves English Proficiency Test (EPT) scores for postgraduate students at UNISKA Kediri.

How is the course structured and which skills are trained?

It is implemented in five sessions focusing on listening, structure and written expression, and reading comprehension.

What research method was used to test effectiveness?

A preexperimental one-group pretest-posttest design with 70 postgraduate participants was used, comparing EPT scores before and after the course.

Oct 1, 2026

Uploaded by Ophelia