Problems Encountered by Students with Overseas Parents in Learning Language Courses

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are the modern heroes of the Philippines due to their sacrifices to go and work aboard for the betterment of their families' socioeconomic status and to provide better quality of living. However, this situation lessens the frequency of parents to become more involved with their children's schooling. The reason for conducting this study is to determine how OFWs' children perform in language courses such as English and Filipino. Specifically, it aimed at assessing their academic performance and the problems they are encountering relative to class participation, writing and thinking skills, oral recitation, and output making.

METHODS

A qualitative-descriptive method was used in this study with validated questionnaire as research instrument. A supplemental semi-structured interview was also used to further elicit the experiences of the respondents. The study made use of 85 OFWs' children of Buhaynasapa National High School, School Year 2017-2018, obtained through purposive sampling. Before conducting the study, the researcher secured permits to authorities. She personally administered the research instrument used.

RESULTS

As revealed in the study, the respondents are performing very satisfactorily (85-89%) in written works and quarterly assessments as evident on the generated frequency of 36 and 37, respectively. On the other hand, they perform outstandingly (90-100%) in language courses such as English and Filipino in terms of performance tasks as indicated on the obtained frequency of 35. In contrary to their remarkable performances, they are still frequently experiencing problems in learning language courses especially in writing-related activities. The respondents are also frequently experiencing problems in learning activities in language courses relative to writing skills. It generated the highest composite mean of3.11. It was followed by oral recitation with the composite mean of 3.09. The findings also revealed that they are also frequently experiencing problems in learning language courses relative to thinking skills, output making and class participation.

DISCUSSIONS

Even though the respondents perform well in language courses, having an OFW parent affects their learning performance in the said course. Clearly, it denotes that lack of direct parental involvement and support to the learning activities of students greatly influence the academic achievement of students in English and Filipino. Therefore, enrichment activities shall be provided.