The HAIL Project: Home-like atmosphere for Improved Language Engagement

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The Philippines has long been considered as one of the largest English-speaking nations. English has always been one of the country's official languages. However, in the Philippines, students in an English classroom do suffer Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA). In this study, the researcher aimed to investigate the FLA level of the senior high school students its relationship to their English speaking and listening skills, and how they could be helped through a home-like environment.

METHODS

The proposed study employed quasi-experimental based on classroom research design. In this study, the researcher used stratified sampling. Sixty (60) Electronic Products Assembly and Servicing (EPAS) students were equally grouped to two (2) sets based on their grades in Oral Communication. The control group was placed in a regular classroom, while the experimental group was placed in a Home-like Atmosphere for Improved Language Engagement (HAIL) classroom. Pre and post-tests were administered to assess the effects of HAIL classroom to students' FLA levels, and listening behavior and speaking skills in English.

RESULTS

The result showed that 50% of the research participants suffer from FLA prior to the intervention and that there is no significant difference in the pre-test scores of the control and experimental groups in terms of FLA, listening behavior and English speaking skills. After the intervention, significant effects of the home-like atmosphere on the students' FLA levels, listening behavior and English speaking skills were observed. The result showed that a learning environment offering a home-like atmosphere is effective in decreasing the levels of the Filipino students FLA, and in improving the listening behavior and English speaking skills of the students, since home and its unique nurturing parent-child relationship has been with the distinct values of Filipino families.

DISCUSSIONS

The result implied that the learning environment plays a big role in FLA of the learners, which affects their listening behavior and English speaking skills; thus, can be manipulated to decrease FLA levels. Learning environment that offers home-like atmosphere was found to be effective in decreasing the FLA levels of the Filipino learners.