Language Proficiency Level in the Filipino Language of Grade 12 Senior High School Students of Dagatan National High School S.Y. 2018-2019

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The decision of the CHED to exclude Filipino from the core subjects in college is seen by linguists as the way that will make the language deteriorate. This is for the reason that the Filipino youth today has a lower level of competence in using our own language which can be observed in everyday discourse among them. This study identified the language proficiency in Filipino of Grade 12 students of Dagatan National High School which may support the need to retain the subject to enhance students' competence in utilizing our own language.

METHODS

The quantitative approach employing the descriptive-evaluative method was utilized in analyzing the proficiency of 89 participants out of the 113 grade 12 students. Slovin's formula was used in identifying the sample size. The respondents answered a survey questionnaire which determined their demographic profile (i.e. sex, strand, and language used at home) and a 50-item language proficiency test in Filipino for 1 hour which was derived from a standardized test.

RESULTS

The mean score of the participants in the given examination is 26.72 or 53 percent with a verbal description of limitedly proficient. Between sexes, the mean score of the female group (28.66) is higher than the male (24.23). In terms of strand, GAS got the highest mean score (30.79) among the four strands. When the respondents were grouped according to the language they use at home, those who speak Filipino and English gained the highest mean score (33).

DISCUSSIONS

The results demonstrate the low competence of the participants in Filipino. This supports the claim that Filipino should not be excluded in the curriculum as the youth still needs to be taught with the significant lessons in learning the language.