An Analysis of Oral Communication Skills of Grade V Students of Castillo. Elementary School: Basis of Instructional. Innovation

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Written and oral skills are equally important for humans to communicate effectively. In this study, we conducted this exploratory analysis to identify the difficulties of students in oral communication. We diagnosed the reasons why oral communication is the Waterloo of most students. We are more than willing to develop holistic learners who manifest excellent communication skills, competence, confidence, and all other virtues expected of an individual through instructional innovation that is to be utilized based on the result of this study.

METHODS

To examine the oral communication skills of the participants, we assigned a grade level reading text to them. They were asked to read and study the given short story overnight. The next day, they were tasked to discuss the story they read orally. A rubric was designed to assess the oral presentation of students. After the presentation, a set of survey-questionnaires was distributed to them. The survey questionnaire used a 5-point Likert scale which contained items about the factors that may affect their oral communication skills. The researchers also conducted a focused group discussion with the participants to support their personal analysis of the results of the survey.

RESULTS

Results showed that out of the 36 grade-five participants, there were 24 students who explained their ideas and information from the read text that got a below standard mark. 8 students were approaching the standard mark and only 4 students were at the standard category. Results also reflected the struggle of students in the organization of ideas. Assessment of the oral communication skills of Grade five learners attested that more than two-thirds (2/3) of the participants really need expanded opportunities to develop their oral communication skills.

DISCUSSIONS

The result exhibited that student factors predict their level of communication skills. If the students are too shy to speak in front of the class or ask questions when they have difficulties, or when they find conversing in English awkward, or when they have limited vocabulary and poor sentence construction, it is expected that their level of oral communication in any assessment medium is most likely to have low results. Teachers also played a very important role in the development and enhancement of students' oral communication skills. They have to consider their methodologies and they should also take time to provide assessment tasks that would develop holistic life-long learners.