The Problem and Its Scope
The Problem and Its Scope
INTRODUCTION
Proficiency in the English language being the second most spoken language in the
whole world is somewhat of a measure of literacy. It has become a standard of the society
that became the basis of trusting information of which the proficiency of the source being
based upon. Having such great knowledge and wisdom in using said language somehow
makes you more believable and formal toward people such that it creates a display of
literacy domination. For some people, having that skill somewhat intimidates them in a
sense that they are shy in using the English language. The most common phenomenon is
in a classroom.
Students being one-on-one with education are often misjudged illiterate because
they tend not to speak up, most especially when requested to speak in English. The factors
of said phenomenon is quiet random but at the same time common. Molding a child
without taking his knowledge and wisdom into checking may create a loophole in their
education growing up. One wouldn’t fail to speak without good reasons. The same goes
for having such proficiency measured and evaluated upon. By doing this, students and
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Some schools are strict in using English as the medium for communication. Such
school would be considered as competitive such that the students are proficient in the
said language. While declining proficiency creates negative feedback, the intelligence of a
child is never measured with it. Nonetheless, declining proficiency is quiet a ruckus for
some schools due to the fact that they focus on educational standards which has been
that international students from non-English speaking backgrounds (NESB) who reside
temporarily in a host country for the purpose of obtaining a degree might take even longer
to obtain academic skills in the second language, and their limited language skills might
Therefore, their language proficiency might be a key factor in their academic success
Omani youth and their preparation for a multicultural world of employment. It has
therefore poured large resources into English language teaching in the nation’s schools,
colleges and universities. Unfortunately, these efforts have yielded gains proportionate to
this investment. Students continue to graduate from school with inadequate English
language proficiency and the majority therefore require remedial or intensive courses in
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a “foundation” program before beginning tertiary level study. It found that the major
According to Laxa, and Opetina (2000), the Philippines has been known as one of
the English-speaking countries in Asia. With such advantage, many Filipinos have a lot of
the students. Exposure to the English language has something to do with language skills.
The students have very slight chance to hear or speak English in places other than school.
But even at school, not in an English class, they communicate with each other in Filipino,
with some mixed English words or what is called Taglish. Even in an English class some
of the students are too shy to show off or express themselves in English. Others restrict
themselves from speaking English in asking for something or communicating with anyone
In University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue, most Senior High School students
Students are lack of confidence that affects their communication skills to use English
Language as the medium of communication. Being called out to speak in front on the
class by the teacher are avoided by the students because they perceived themselves as
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Statement of the Problem
This study aims to discover the factors contributing to the declining English
proficiency of the students. The study will be conducted by the Grade 11 ABM students
during the Second Semester of the S.Y. 2018-2019 in University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and
language?
3. What are the ways to develop the English proficiency of the students?
proposed?
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Theoretical Background
Acquisition in 1998. The theory states that language acquisition does not require extensive
use of conscious grammatical rules and does not require tedious drill. Acquisition require
language performance the Acquired System and Learned System. The Acquired is the
product of a subconscious process very similar to the process children undergo when they
acquire their first language. It requires meaningful interaction in the target language,
natural communication in which speakers are concentrated not in the form of their
utterances, but in the communicative act. The Learned System is the product of formal
'about' the language, for example knowledge of grammar rules. According to Krashen
acquisition and learning. The monitoring function is the practical result of the learned
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grammar. According to Krashen, the acquisition system is the utterance initiator, while
the learning system performs the role of the monitor or the editor. The monitor acts in a
planning, editing and correcting function when three specific conditions are met that is,
the second language learner has sufficient time at disposal, focuses on form or thinks
order which is predictable. Krashen however points out that the implication of the natural
order hypothesis is not that a language program syllabus should be based on the order
found in the studies. In fact, he rejects grammatical sequencing when the goal is language
acquisition.
Fourth is the Input Hypothesis. The learner improved and progresses along the
natural order when receives second language, input is one step beyond current stage of
linguistic competence. The Input hypothesis is only concerned with acquisition not by
learning. According to this hypothesis, the learner improves and progresses along the
natural order receives second language. Input that is one step beyond current stage of
linguistic competence.
Fifth is the Affective Filter. It embodies Krashen's view that a number of affective
confidence and anxiety. Krashen claims that learners with high motivation, self-
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confidence, a good self-image, and a low level of anxiety are better equipped for success
in second language acquisition. Low motivation, low self-esteem, and debilitating anxiety
can combine to raise the affective filter and form a mental block that prevents
comprehensible input from being used for acquisition. In other words, when the filter is
'up' it impedes language acquisition. On the other hand, positive affect is necessary, but
The study was therefore guided by this theory in relation to acquisition of speaking
skills in English. For instance, as students each time try to learn how to use English in
communication and expressing themselves, filtering may occur because of anxiety, poor
self-esteem or low motivation. Therefore, learners with a low affective filter not only
become effective acquirers of comprehensive input but also increase the amount of that
input because they are likely to interact with other learners unembarrassed by making
mistakes. Secondly, when speaking to learners, this ought to be done based on the
communicative ability of the learners and should allow for a silent period, free from close
monitoring and correction. Thirdly, the more the comprehensible input, the greater the
teaching methods work according to the extent that they make use of comprehensible
input. That is, students learn best when they get involved in the learning process using
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This study is also anchored to Theory of Behaviorism by which one of the pioneer
was Burrhus Frederic Skinner or known as B.F. Skinner. According to B.F Skinner learning
occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior. He believed that the best way to
understand behavior is to look at the causes of an action and its consequences. He called
individual finds rewarding. The removal of an unpleasant reinforce can also strengthen
learning situation, operant conditioning applies largely to issues of class and student
ratio produces the highest response rate for students learning a new task, whereby initially
reinforcement occurs less frequently, until eventually only exceptional outcomes are
reinforced. Unwanted behaviors, such as tardiness and dominating class discussion can
be extinguished through being ignored by the teacher. This is not an easy task, as the
teacher may appear insincere if he/she thinks too much about the way to behave.
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As one of the pioneers of behaviorism, he accounted for language development
by means of environmental influence. Skinner argued that children learn language based
utterances are positively reinforced when the child realizes the communicative value of
words and phrases. For example, when the child says ‘milk’ and the mother will smile and
give her some as a result, the child will find this outcome rewarding, enhancing the child's
language development.
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Significance of the Study
The outcome of the study are the factors contributing to the declining of English
Proficiency of the students. The results may serve as a tool to improve English
Students. This study will give help students to cope with the challenges they encounter
Teachers. This will give feedback and information as regards to the language learning of
the students. The teacher may be guide in English relative information on the level of the
Institution. This will serve as guidance based on the outcome to establish or conduct
Future Researchers. This study gives meaningful data for research enthusiast.
Researchers. This study may give realization to the researchers and with that they can
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Scope and Delimitation
This study is focused and limited to the perspectives of the Senior High School
students about the contributing factors affecting their English proficiency using an open-
ended questionnaire.
The research instruments are to be administered once during the Second Semester
Only selected 50 male and female Senior High School students aging from 15-18
years old with declining English proficiency of University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue
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Definition of Terms
Loophole – an error in a way of writing a law which makes it possible for some to
legitimately disobey.
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CHAPTER II
This part of the study states the review of literature and studies to the research.
The scope of related studies is from international conducted researcher to local studies
about English proficiency, the contributing factors that causes to its declining.
Related Literature
The use of English has become a sign of esteem in our society. Everyone seems
fond of using English to get high status in society. From Global Journal of Management
and Social Sciences, An Evaluation of the Causes of Low Achievement in English Level in
District Vehari. According to Awan (2016), there are many issues that affect to the
speaking country students. Those elements may derive from many components including
social economic issues, the difference of culture, poor family backgrounds, unsuitable
curriculum and textbook design, lack of good, qualified and trained English teachers, lack
students to have low and poor performance in English language learning, especially in the
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International Journals
attention from both first and second language researchers. The role of attitude as a crucial
factor that impacts learners' management and performance of all language skills and
activities has formed a focal point of study and interest on the part of the majority of
attitude' through its main three components, namely cognitive, affective and behavioral
uncovers the ways that learners think of the new language, feel of it and behave in doing
all its relevancies. Several factors described in this paper influence second language
factors in Second Language Acquisition (SLA). Those factors are motivation, attitude,
age, intelligence, aptitude, learning style, and personality influence the way learners
encounter language learning and may hinder or support them in their efforts to master
English Language. Moreover, these elements seem to be an essential part of the learning
process, which can contribute to the success or failure of a second language learner.
al. (2013), stated “English language teaching in Pakistan is almost non-existent. The
English in the present generation, and signal to further decline.” It was found that the
teachers in Provincial government schools were not sufficiently qualified and had not
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adequate knowledge about the methodology of teaching English. The classes in both type
of school system were overcrowded. The Provincial and Federal Government schools
lacked audio-visual aids for teaching of English. The findings of the present study
indicate that the current scene regarding English language teaching for secondary
classes, calls for special measures to be taken. These problems create hindrances and
difficulties in learning of English at the school level. The English language teachers at
the need becomes greater for children to learn more than one language, in addition to
their mother tongue. There has been an ongoing debate about the importance of the
English language. Employers are lamenting that new graduates these days lack
others would contribute most to English proficiency in the Chinese students. This was
found not to be the case. Respondents do not think that their English proficiency was
International Journal of Arts & Sciences, Chaney and Burk (1998), describe
speaking as a crucial part of second language teaching and learning involving building and
sharing meaning through the use of verbal and non- verbal symbols in a variety of
contexts. Despite the importance attached to speaking, teaching speaking skills for many
years has been undervalued and English language teachers have continued to teach
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requires that students develop and improve on their communicative abilities because that
is the only way students can express themselves and learn how to follow the social and
cultural rules appropriate in each communicative circumstance. Finally this analysis shows
students' foreign language acquisition, and shows that the foreign language teacher's
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Related Studies
International Studies
Affective factors are emotional factors which influence learning. They can have a
negative or positive effect. Negative affective factors are called affective filters and are an
(2016), “Lack of confidence” found to be the highest among university students. In which
61.9% of students don’t feel self-confidence when speaking English in oral classes.
Shyness as another affective factor is common specifically among 57.1% female students.
The result also summarize the other factors in which 52.4 % is due to anxiety , 52.4%
afraid of making mistake, 33.3% afraid of being despised were found to be the essential
English language proficiency for the university students is defined as the ability of
a student to make use of the language to communicate in spoken and written contexts
while completing their university studies. According to Ibrahim et al. (2013) there are
three barriers affects the English language proficiency. Personal barriers, students were
asked about potential barriers towards English language proficiency, with 50.1%
seemed satisfied with faculty members as 50.8% disagreed that there is a lack of good
teachers to help them improve their English language. A statistical association was noted
in response to this question with gender. A higher percentage of female respondents 55%
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agreed that faculty members of the University helps them to improve English language,
hence their presence shapes as role model for the students. Social barriers, one hundred
and ninety eight (44.8%) respondents reported a conducive and friendly environment
supporting the use of English language. More than two thirds 73.2% of the study
respondents disagreed that role of family and university acts as a potential barrier in
students’ low achievement negative attitude was rated as the most dominant internal
factor influencing students’ low achievement with high a percentage of 78,86%, followed
by unmotivated which has 69.29%, followed by anxiety 62.29% and low self-esteem
60.86%. These four internal factors had slightly different percentages in influencing
students’ low achievement which indicated that the factors did exist and contributed such
negative effects on students’ learning process which then resulted in students’ low
achievement. Negative attitude that students brought to class had influenced their
learning.
relationship with the English proficiency of the respondents age, income of parents,
viewing, text messaging, extent of use of online social networks and computer games.
Data show that sex correlate with the English proficiency of the respondents. Female
pupils perform better in English than male pupils from the data collected 64.4% of the
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female pupils scored high scores in the English proficiency test, while only 35.6% of the
male respondents scored high in the test given. Furthermore, it is also shown in the data
collected that 69.2 % of the males obtained low scores in the English proficiency test, and
only 30.8% of the females scored low in the test. Reading frequency is also deemed to
have a significant relationship with the English proficiency of the respondents from the
data collected. In the data collected, 76.9% of the respondents who only spend at most
one hour in reading scored low in the English proficiency test given by the researchers.
Furthermore, 44.4% of the respondents who spend at least five hours in reading gained
the highest scores in the English proficiency test. There is no definite factor in associating
with one’s English proficiency other than sex and reading English reading materials, as
Omani youth and their preparation for a multicultural world of employment. It has
therefore poured large resources into English language teaching in the nation’s schools,
colleges and universities. Unfortunately, these efforts have not yielded gains proportionate
to this investment. Al-Mahrooqi (2012), based on the findings of public school graduates’
perspectives many English teachers seem not to care about their profession or about
improving, or even maintaining, their own level of proficiency. Reading and speaking seem
to be ignored, despite their crucial importance for student competence, with one providing
input and the other output opportunities. The educational system and school environment
also manifest a lack of appreciation for English. The result was tabulated which shows the
reason of low English proficiency 85% teachers, 80% curriculum, 70% students
themselves, 24% limited exposure to English and lack of practice outside the classroom,
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23% parents and the social context, 15% the system and the school environment and 2%
Contents
No table of contents entries found.
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CHAPTER III
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This part of the study contains the research methodology applied to the research
Research Design
This study is a qualitative since questions posed are and answered by the
experience of the selected Senior High School students or the respondents. The study
used a phenomenology approach in conducting the research. The main purpose of the
researchers is to know the factors contributing to the declining English proficiency of the
students and help them cope up by giving recommendations based on the results.
Research Respondents
The researchers will gather data to 25 female and 25 male Senior High School
students who are officially enrolled this Second Semester of the University of Cebu, Lapu-
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Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM) that have an age range of 15-18 years old and with declining
English proficiency.
Research Environment
The study was conducted at University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue whichis
located at A.C Cortes Avenue, Looc, Mandaue City. University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and
Mandaue (UCLM) Campus sits at the foot of Mactan-Mandaue Bridge, officially the
Figure 1.1 The satellite map view of University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue
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Research Procedure
In order to achieve the aimed results, the researchers must fulfill these series of
steps: First, the researchers formulated the topic and working title. Second, the
researchers gave the statement of the problem and specific question. Third, the
researchers formulate the scope and delimitation and significance of the study. Fourth,
the researchers reviewed the existing theories to be the backbone of the study and
construct rationale. Then, the researchers collected relevant studies and literature the
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Stages of the research project 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th
problem
beneficiaries
theoretical background
Methodology
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Research Instrument
respondents had the chance either to tell their personal information or not for their
privacy. Then followed by the general directions given by the researchers on how they
were answer the questions about the factors that contributes to the declining English
After the data has been collected the researchers the students’ responses to the
questionnaire were carefully read and factors cited as contributing to low English
proficiency were interpreted. The study produced valuable data, whose full potential use
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APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
March 7, 2019
Dr. Severina D. Chin
University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue
A.C Cortes Avenue, Looc, Mandaue City
Dear Dr. Chin,
Greetings of peace!
We believe that your good office is with us in our enthusiasm to finish the requirement
and to develop our well-being. We hope for your positive response on this subject matter.
Respectfully yours,
Jessa E. Sumbilla
Group 7 - AB11A7
Noted by:
Ms. Kathleen Cabahug
Practical Research 1 Teacher
Approved by:
Dr. Danielita B. Patindol Dr.Severina D. Chin
Senior High School Principal Senior High School Assistant
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APPENDIX B
1. What are the ways you can develop yourself to be Proficient in English?
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3. What are the factors that cause you to be deficient?
_______________________________________________________________________
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CIRCULUM VIRTAE
I. PERSONAL INFORMATION
NICKNAME: Cheska
DATE OF BIRTH: February 15, 2002
AGE: 17 years old
CIVIL STATUS: Single
RELIGION: Roman Catholic
PASTIME ACTIVITIES: Watching movies
FATHER’S NAME: Nigel Curnow
MOTHER’S NAME: Helen Amante-Curnow
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CYRIL GRACE A. BOOC
Sitio Jubay, Lilo-an Cebu
0997840329
[email protected]
I. PERSONAL INFORMATION
NICKNAME: Cy
DATE OF BIRTH: November 29, 2001
AGE: 17 years old
CIVIL STATUS: Single
RELIGION: Roman Catholic
PASTIME ACTIVITIES: Watching Videos
FATHER’S NAME: Lecerio Booc
MOTHER’S NAME: Wilfreda Booc
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JAN LOUI K. GARBO
F.C. Pesons Street, Centro, Mandaue City
09668177411
[email protected]
I. PERSONAL INFORMATION
NICKNAME: JL
DATE OF BIRTH: January 03, 2001
AGE: 18 years old
CIVIL STATUS: Single
RELIGION: Roman Catholic
PASTIME ACTIVITIES: Watching movies
FATHER’S NAME: George F. Garbo
MOTHER’S NAME: Alona K. Garbo
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JESREAL YESHUA E. LAGON
Kadulang 1, Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City
09325249506
[email protected]
I. PERSONAL INFORMATION
NICKNAME: Shua
DATE OF BIRTH: October 03, 1999
AGE: 19 years old
CIVIL STATUS: Single
RELIGION: Born Again Christian
PASTIME ACTIVITIES: Basketball
FATHER’S NAME: Daniel Ulysses B. Lagon
MOTHER’S NAME: Agnes E. Lagon
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DOREEN JOYCE M. LUNOR
Looc, Mandaue City
09208150215
[email protected]
I. PERSONAL INFORMATION
NICKNAME: Joy
DATE OF BIRTH: January 04, 2002
AGE: 17 years old
CIVIL STATUS: Single
RELIGION: Roman Catholic
PASTIME ACTIVITIES: Watching K-dramas
FATHER’S NAME: Daniel Lunor
MOTHER’S NAME: Loila M. Lunor
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JESSA E. SUMBILLA
Mactan proper, Lapu-Lapu City
09489319810
[email protected]
I. PERSONAL INFORMATION
NICKNAME: Jess
DATE OF BIRTH: May 7, 2001
AGE: 17 years old
CIVIL STATUS: Single
RELIGION: Roman Catholic
PASTIME ACTIVITIES: Reading books
FATHER’S NAME: Felipe Sumbilla
MOTHER’S NAME: Carlita Sumbilla
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