BARRIERS IN COMPREHENDING BILINGUALISM OF BSED 3RD YEAR SOCIAL SCIENCE

Abstract

Bilingualism has become an important issue in today’s globalized society, especially in multilingual communities where multiple languages are commonly used in education. This can take place vertically, with different languages used across different educational levels, such as elementary versus tertiary education, or horizontally, where multiple languages serve as mediums of instruction within the same classroom (Karthik & Noblit, 2020). The researcher employed a survey questionnaire as the primary tool to gather data and address the study's specific questions. A descriptive research method was used to identify the barriers to comprehending bilingualism. The purposive sampling technique was applied, focusing on 3rd-year Social Science major students, with a total of fifty-four (54) respondents from Bestlink College of the Philippines. The collected survey data was analyzed using statistical methods, including frequency and percentage, ranking, weighted mean, average weighted mean, and the Likert scale. The study identified several key barriers to comprehending bilingualism. Language barriers, especially in foreign languages, were a significant challenge for students, as they struggled to communicate effectively outside their native tongue. Regarding dialects, students felt more at ease speaking in their mother tongue. They also pointed out that jargon and slang are often used by specific groups in casual conversations, which creates confusion for others. Lastly, issues with literacy and vocabulary emerged, with students finding foreign language vocabularies particularly challenging to understand. The study revealed insights into the level of comprehension among students in bilingualism, focusing on fluency. The findings indicated that students felt less confident in speaking English fluently. Regarding vocabulary, students found mobile apps helpful for testing and expanding their vocabulary, describing the process as enjoyable and less stressful. In terms of prior knowledge, respondents expressed greater confidence when gathering information related to their lessons. This thesis examined the language barriers and comprehension challenges faced by 3rd-year BSED Social Science students, confirming the significant impact of these barriers on their understanding of bilingualism. The study is grounded in the Threshold Theory, which explores the relationship between cognition and bilingualism. This theory posits that individuals must have a certain level of competence in both languages to effectively comprehend bilingual content. Based on the findings, the study recommends guidelines to help mitigate the language barriers that hinder students' ability to fully grasp bilingualism.