The influence of YMCA summer camps participation on the efl fluency of the students at Universidad del Cauca in Santander de Quilichao

Abstract

Fluency plays a significant role in the acquisition of a second language. It refers to the degree to which an individual can communicate fluently and effectively across a diverse range of topics, i.e., the ability to communicate in the language alongside their native language. However, at times, its advancement may pose a challenge, and there is a need for diverse scenarios that are not typical educational settings. This study examines the influence between immersion and language acquisition by assessing the impact of participation in YMCA summer camps on the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) fluency of students at Universidad Del Cauca in Santander de Quilichao (2023 participants). A pre- and post-interviews were utilized as tools to gather the data. Two separate interviews were conducted: the initial interview helped to establish the participants' prior fluency and served as a starting point for comparison with the final interview. The results were subsequently assessed, analyzed and compared to determine whether there was a change in the four target elements: conciseness, language repair, use of fillers and number of mispronounced words when answering. The results demonstrate that the program had a positive impact on the fluency levels of its participants, as the post-interview showed higher scores compared to the pre-interview, indicating a quantifiable enhancement in participants' fluency through the fluency measurement system created. The immersion helped participants develop their existing fluency, showing improvement in their ability to use fillers more effectively, to answer questions more concisely, and to improve the pronunciation of some words.