The Extent of Learning English and Vocabulary Performance of Grade 7 Students: Basis for Constructing a Blueprint of School Language initiatives

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Status of vocabulary performance of the students is one of the problems faced by English teachers. The extent of learning the second language in several perspectives confirms its impact to students’ development. This action research intends to identify the factors affecting the vocabulary proficiency of the students to produce a blueprint of school language initiatives to be implemented by the English Department of Looc Integrated School.

METHODS

The descriptive research method of the survey type discussing different factors that affect the learning of English was used. Researchers administered a survey questionnaire to gauge the extent of learned English and a test examining the level of proficiency in vocabulary which was participated by 100 randomly selected Grade 7 students in Looc Integrated School, SY 2018-2019. The study is holistically structured in describing the school related factors in terms of learning styles, reading habits, attitude towards English and teacher's instructional competence; home related variables as to availability of reading materials, parental motivation, language used and exposure to media and technology; and vocabulary proficiency in context clues, synonyms/ antonyms, idioms, word structure and word with multiple meanings.

RESULTS

Most student-respondents are visual learners with poor reading habits and with moderate positive motivation and engagement toward English learning whose teachers are with very satisfactory performance. Moreover, students lack reading materials at home for they have few resources and with a low internet connection. Their parents have high regard for learning and motivate them to grow academically that they used Tagalog as a means of communication and seldom speak English at home and that the English learning related variables have a positive moderate impact in developing proficiency of the students in vocabulary and with positive weak relation to home-related concerns.

DISCUSSIONS

The results of the study led the researchers in the construct of the proposed blueprint of language initiatives Project Home-Based and Project VocabSmart of the English Department. Project VocabSmart is planned and organized by the English department as a school-based initiative in developing vocabulary proficiency of the students through the promotion of reading corner, IMs development and extended reading comprehension activities. Project Home Based establishes partnership with parents to monitor students reading habits at home.