Effects of English-Only Policy to Students’ Class Participation in Bestlink College of the Philippines, S.Y. 2019–2020

Abstract

This study was conducted because the researchers saw that most of the students are struggling to participate in their English class, especially when the class requires speaking, presenting, or exposing themselves during classes. The English-Only Policy is strictly imposed on students as a support to the learners of the language and train them to naturally use English in their everyday activities. The researchers made an action plan for improving the students’ class participation through the English-Only Policy in Bestlink College of the Philippines. The researchers used a descriptive research design because based on the observation, some students are afraid to participate during their English class. The researchers also used a survey questionnaire. The respondents were 50 selected Grade 12 Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM)students from ABM sections 10–15 with a class schedule of T-TH-S. The researchers used a nonprobability technique because any of the populations being selected is unknown. The researchers also used convenience sampling because this involves collecting a sample that is near, convenient, and based on the availability of the respondents. The results of the study negatively affect students’ class participation because the policy cannot make the students participate in every class discussion because they do not know what exact words and expressions to use. Based on the results of the study, the following are the positive effects of the “English-Only Policy:” (1) Recitation –There are positive effects to the class participation of students regarding recitations, especially because they get more information on the topic. Thus, they actively participate in it. (2) Reporting –It innovates their strategies in presenting their work at the same time improving themselves in terms of reporting their topic using English. (3) Group presentation –Implementing this will improve their skills in different areas of presenting. The researchers recommended that students should not treat “English-Only Policy” as merely a policy but also a part of their learning. Students should know that learning English is a must, and you cannot make the same excuses over the same thing because learning is a process and there is always room for improvement. Thus, the researchers recommend that students should always learn and practice. Practice makes better, and better makes the best.