Strategies to Improve English Language Proficiency of Selected General Academic Strand Students in Bestlink College of the Philippines

Abstract

English language proficiency is a student's ability to use the English Language to communicate verbally. If a student is proficient in English, it will affect and improve his academic performance. However, if their proficiency in English is lacking, it will lower their academic performance. This study focuses on the strategies to improve the English language proficiency of selected General Academic Strand (GAS) students of Bestlink College of the Philippines (BCP). The researchers used the descriptive research design to know the strategies for improving English language proficiency. This ensures that the data collected is effective and efficient. The respondents of the study were fifty (50) respondents from 5 different GAS sections chosen through purposive sampling. The questionnaires were administered to English teachers. Respondents had identified some strategies that could help in improving English language proficiency. Most students felt the need to master the subject-verb agreement and to apply it in sentence construction; and also, the proper use of appropriate vocabulary, including the proper use of punctuation marks. Another aspect that the students would like to focus on is oral communication, proper articulation, and phonetics. The results show the need to draw an action plan for the improvement of the English language proficiency of students. To address the problem, some suggested actions were given such as giving appropriate and enough time for reading English books, being familiar with the different ways of sentence construction, making sure that the information is clear and understandable, and being able to communicate the message according to the information read.