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“EXCELLENCE THROUGH KNOWLEDGE” P A G E 91 Investigating the Transferability of English Language Skills from the Secondary to the Tertiary Level This study was inspired by an observation that approximately 60 percent of first year students attending the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Jamaica), demonstrated low levels of proficiency in the use of Standard Jamaican English. The researchers attempted to discover possible reasons why these secondary school graduates who were able to matriculate to a tertiary institution were performing so poorly in English Language. Teachers operating at selected secondary schools and 480 UTech, Jamaica students were the participants in this investigation, which aimed to capture the nature of some of the students’ experiences in learning English Language within the secondary system. Data were collected via structured and semi- structured interviews, direct observation of classes and document analysis. The findings suggest that factors related to students, teachers, the school, and the wider environment mitigate against the development of effective English Language skills for efficient performance at the tertiary level. Recommendations were made for ameliorating the problem by interventions at both the secondary and tertiary levels of the education system. Clover Jones-McKenzie & Judith Orogun Faculty of Education & Liberal Studies Editor’s Note: The research which was conducted between 2009 and 2010 received much media attention with an article written in the Jamaica Gleaner in December 2010 highlighting the current issues with English language proficiency among students within the context of the study. Dr Jones McKenzie and co-researcher, Dr Judith Orugun were also interviewed about their research on the program “Independent Talk” with host Ronnie Thwaites on Power 106 Radio Station, and the program “Beyond the Headlines,” on Radio Jamaica, with Dionne Jackson Miller, in that same month. Clover Jones-McKenzie