Proficiency in English Language

Krystylle Nicole M. Patiño BSED English 3

Context and Rationale

An essential component of a successful character is English. English language ability

is crucial for career success and progress as well as for gaining access to economic
opportunities. The best ways to improve proficiency by their grammar and vocabulary.
Grammar is regarded as one of the fundamentals of language. Regardless of any language,
competence in grammar is foundational to one’s ability to communicate in a particular
language. One’s good grasp of grammar implies the ability to send clearer messages, and the
likelihood of being intelligible and understood by others. Moreover, one can also produce
good quality writings with a competent mastery of grammar (Bradshaw, 2013).

An important element of a thriving modern civilization is English proficiency. The

third most often spoken and most frequently taught language in the world is English. English
skills are required for any country to fully benefit from global commerce, access the latest
science, technology, and innovation, and exert influence in the world. English is a "global
language," the "lingua franca of the modern era," spoken by more than 300 million people in
more than 100 countries as their first language and by more than 600 million as a second
language. It is crucial for education since it helps students communicate effectively with
people of other races and is helpful for their future employment (Runde, 2017). English
language proficiency (ELP) refers to the learners’ command over English language to use it
in the variety of purposes. There is a substantaial body of literature carried out in
investigating the learners’ English language proficieny level (Sijali, 2016). This also implies
that learning English is crucial since it helps learners improve their capacity for
understanding different languages, including the English language.

The academic language requirements, particularly in speaking in English, and a new

culture present challenges for overseas students, many of whom are non-native English
speakers (NNES). Difficulties arise from varying educational systems and expectations,
listening abilities, the humor and examples used by teachers, the volume of reading, direct
writing styles, critical analyses, class involvement, oral communication, and terminology
(Berman & Cheng, 2013; Holmes, 2016; Lee, 2017).

Some teachers get feedback that the learners are struggling to learn the English
language and that their vocabulary is lacking, that may have an impact on both their academic
achievement and communication skills.(Trice, 2013). Social interaction is also impacted by
English competence. Because of their poor writing or public speaking skills, students who are
proficient in English may insist on working on group projects with international students
(Coleman, 2016; Parks & Raymond, 2014).

The benefits of learning English extend beyond those that are educational, social, or
personal in nature. Studies have shown that studying English improves one's comprehension
of one's native tongue and culture (Rao, 2015). Compared to monolingual students, it also
improves learners' thinking, creativity, and cognitive, analytical, and social development.
When the learners study a second language, their academic abilities improve. Learning the
English language improves students' grammar, vocabulary, and reading academic abilities.

It is crucial to have good English speaking skills. Because of its potential value in the
future and its ability to facilitate communication, learning a second language at an early age
can benefit learners. The English language is often known as the "language of opportunity,"
indicating that it is extensively used throughout the globe. English is the official language of
60 nations. A person will have more prospects and become bilingual and more employable in
the majority of the countries in the globe if they are proficient in English. Speaking English
fluently ensures that the message is clear and is received by the intended audience (Pradeep
Richa Education Foundation, 2021).

Achievable goals include learning to speak English confidently, naturally, and with
ease. Although every English learner is unique, there are a few simple techniques to get better
in a manageably short amount of time (Busuu, 2022). In the Philippines, nearly half of Grade
5 students, or 45%, were in the lowest band, which means they have "limited ability to
present ideas about grammar." In Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and the Philippines, a very
small number of Grade 5 students achieved higher levels of writing proficiency. More than
60% of students were in the three lowest bands. This group's top performers can produce very
limited grammar with simple, insufficient ideas, and a limited vocabulary. The weakest
students can only present ideas in grammar construction to a limited extent (Balinbin, 2020).
The study said 18% and 23% of Grade 9 learners in the Philippines are in the lowest bands
(band 2 and below and band 3, respectively). There are methods to educate learners in
becoming proficient in the English language, which they must do in order to feel comfortable
speaking in English a.) Reading news paper and new articles, b.) immerse in speaking
English language, c.) improve the vocabulary, d.) use of technology.

After discussing the present situation, the purpose of this research is to establish the
proficiency level of Negros Occidental High School Grade 9 students.The points of interest
will be their knowledge in order to gauge the students' proficiency in grammar . The
researcher will also discuss how to improve the English language skills and how technology
may help to learn more about it.

Action Research Questions

It aims to respond to the following questions:

1. What is the real level of competency of the grade 9 student?

2. Is it true that students in the Grade 9  section Journalism  is having difficulty
learning English?
3. Is it true that female students are more studious than male students?

Proposed Innovation, Intervention and Strategy

The fundamental idea provided by Cohen (2005), Ellis (1994), and Briewin, Naidu,
and Mohamed Embi (2013). This will highlight every criteria and method for achieving
English language proficiency. Their knowledge and understanding of it will be determine.
The learners' individual variances in language competency had an impact on their language
learning practices. The level of proficiency in their exam is influenced by the implementation
of many forms of vocabulary, and grammatical strategies (Kaur, 2016). Teachers need to be
 proficient in English, but they also need to be familiar with a variety of teaching methods so
they may pick the one that will make teaching more comfortable and the learning process for
students easier (Larsen-Freeman & Anderson, 2008). A framework of the development
process is shown in below.

Language Learning
Language Learning Individual Learner Strategy
Differences
 Vocabulary
Level of Proficiency Gender  Grammar

Figure 1. Framework for English Proficiency

Methods

Research Design

According to The Office of Human Research Protection (2017), descriptive

research is not truly experimental and it can provide information about the naturally
occurring health status, behavior, attitudes or other characteristics of a particular group.
The study was designed as quantitative descriptive study a purpose to understand their
proficiency in English. A quantitative research involves the use of computational, statistical,
and mathematical tools to derive results. It is conclusive in its purpose as it tries to quantify
the problem and understand how prevalent it is by looking for projectable results to a larger
population (SIS International Market Research, 2018).
Data Sources

The Negros Occidental High School students in grade 9 section Journalism. They are
chosen based on how well they performed in English in first grading. The preparation for the
implementation requires for the students to complete a survey to determine their knowledge
of the English language and their comfort level with basic English questions. The second key
source is to provide an English language assessment to determine whether or not they are
proficient in reading, writing, analyzing, and grammar.

Data Gathering Methods

In gathering the data for this research, documentation was used. It is the steps used to
obtain information about a student's survey results.

The criteria for measuring a student's progress is proficiency level. Learning a new
language It pertains to the participants' capacity to see if the participants are accomplishing
all that the questions asked. This survey questionnaire is thought to be more reliable
and affordable.

For a span of eight (8) weeks, this survey and assessment will be given. In addition,
the researcher will also orient the participants to explaining the purpose of the research. The
researcher personally administered the research instruments to the respondents through
survey questionnaire. First, the researchers identified their respondents through stratified
random tehnique. The 20 students were then ask if ever they had a hard time constructing
grammar, and if they are interested doing essays, some students answer yes and some
answered no. To those who said yes are only the ones that can answer the survey
questionnaire. Afterwards, the respondents were 15 the common age of the Grade 9 students
then conducted to answer the survey questionnaire.

The respondents were given 10 minutes to accomplish the form to prevent them for
giving hasty response. Then the researchers ask for the participants section and phone number
in order to collect the accomplished questionnaires more easily. After the questionnaires have
been accomplished, the results were tallied and tabulated. These data become the bases of
analysis and interpretation.

Ethical Consideration

In doing this research, possibilities for harm to participants are as follows:

answering the survey questionnaire may take too long to finish and may conflict to the
researcher and participants schedule of class. This problem would be handled by asking
the participants class schedule and phone number in order to make sure that the papers
are returned.

In doing this research, possibilities of problem of confidentiality are as follows:

personal information and leaks of information within the data collected through survey
questionnaire. This was handled by keeping the research data only within the researchers
and not with other individuals.

In doing this research, possibilities of problems of deception include: the

respondent does not answer the questions sincerely and lying about his or her experiences
with the topic of proficiency in English of Negros Occidental High School of Grade 9 section
Journalism students. This was handled by reassuring the participants that the data is
confidential and for research purposes only.

Plan for Data Analysis

After collecting the data through survey questionnaire, the researcher

then analyzed the data based on the steps below:

a. The respondents will be given a survey questionnaire by the researcher.

b. The respondent must answer the survey questionnaire without interruption.
c. Identifying the result from survey questionnaire result document of the
students.
d.
 Table 1. Timeline for the Proposed Basic Research

Phase Activities Target Outputs Resources

Human Financial Materials Time

Resource

Conceptualization Research Research Php 950 Internet and October 2022

of the research Problem Proponents Mobile Data
problem

Finalization of Research Goals Research None None October 2022

Research Goals Proponents

Survey and Implementation Research Php 350 Bond paper November 2022
assessment of surveys and Proponents and Printer
preparation for questionnaires to
students be distributed in
the classroom

Approval letter Write and prepare Research Php 7 Bond paper November 2022
for the adviser a letter for the proponents and Printer
adviser
 Seeking Approval of Research None None November 2022
permission from the school proponents,
the school adviser Classroom
authorities Adviser

Research Completed Research Php 91 13 sheets of November 2022

Proposal research Proponents bond paper
Development proposal and Printer

Planning and Outline for the Research None None November 2022
Preparation of TOEIC test Proponents
giving the English
Proficiency
Assessment

Finalization of Completed the Research None None November 2022

assessment TOEIC test Proponents
questionnaires questionnaires
and surveys

Relating Material Content for the Research None None November 2022
for Grade 9 topic of Proponents
Journalism Proficiency in
Competencies English Language
that is in line with
DepEd grade 9
competencies

Implementing the The Grade 9 Research None None November 2022

giving of Journalism will Proponents
questionnaires respond to the
and surveys TOEIC test and
surveys
 Data Analysis Analyzed Data Research None None November 2022
Proponents

Completion of Completed the Research None None November 2022

Document study Proponents

Dissemination of Plan for Research None None November 2022

Results Dissemination Proponents

Cost Estimates

Below are the proposed list of materials to be used and their cost.

Quantity Description Unit Cost Total Cost

Transportation 6 Trips (1pax) Php 10.00 Php 60.00

1 Ream Short bond paper Php 159.00 Php159.00

3 pieces Long folders Php 10.00 Phph 30.00

1 box Fasteners Php 200.00 Php 200.00

2 sets EPSON L360 ink Php 159.00 Php 318.00

(black, blue, red)

4 cards Internet Load Php 100.00 Php 400.00

TOTAL Php 1, 167.00

Plan for Dissemination and Advocacy

This study seeks to use an action research approach to assess Grade 9 journalism students'
English language proficiency in a synchronous setting. Following the completion of this
research, the ensuing efforts will be carried out.

1. Considering the results of the research to improve implementation in the following

academic year.
2. Performed TOEIC assessments and questionnaires are improved.
3. Dissemination of research findings to junior high school journalism students in grade
9.
4. English language proficiency is considered into the development of teaching
materials.
5. Publishing the results of the finished action research.

References

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and experience for doing something: 2. the fact of having the. . .. Learn more.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/proficiency

CareerVidz. (2020, December 6). ENGLISH Proficiency Test Questions, Answers &
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNhILN6ajd0

English Language & Linguistics. (n.d.). In Cambridge Core. Retrieved October 18,
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https://www.csis.org/analysis/english-language-proficiency-and-development
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What is English proficiency?: Ask UniSQ Future Students. (n.d.). Retrieved October
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