factors affecting the english proficiency of fourth year students
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
Rationale The English language, which is the closest thing to a lingua franca around the world, is another means for us to join the stream of world culture. This is where English proficiency becomes vital in today’s world and country. English proficiency is the ability to speak, read and/or write in English. In Philippine education system, high school students with ages ranging from 12 to 17 are expected to have already basic knowledge of English and the four communication skills which will enable them to function satisfactorily in certain English communication situations. The basic goal of high school English is to enhance the students’ knowledge and skills so that they can function effectively in any situation which requires the use of English particularly in a classroom setting that challenges their academic performance . They need to be able to express their ideas and opinions in speech and in writing. They need to think independently, critically, and creatively. Hence, they should be given opportunities to enhance higher order thinking skills like analysis and evaluation (Proficiency in English 1, 2010). In the secondary English curriculum, it aims to address the communication needs of Filipino students for English, which is emerging as the international lingua franca. These communication needs are interpersonal, informative and aesthetics. In consonance with the government’s thrusts and globalization, this English curriculum adopts a communicative-interactive-collaborative approach to learning as well as reflection and introspection with the aim in view of developing autonomous language learners aware of and able to cope with global trends. As secondary English teachers, we can see how essential it is for the Filipino students to become proficient in English language both in written and oral. Aside from being the medium of instruction in the Philippines, learning the English language also provides the Filipino people with all the
INTRODUCTION
Rationale The English language, which is the closest thing to a lingua franca around the world, is another means for us to join the stream of world culture. This is where English proficiency becomes vital in today’s world and country. English proficiency is the ability to speak, read and/or write in English. In Philippine education system, high school students with ages ranging from 12 to 17 are expected to have already basic knowledge of English and the four communication skills which will enable them to function satisfactorily in certain English communication situations. The basic goal of high school English is to enhance the students’ knowledge and skills so that they can function effectively in any situation which requires the use of English particularly in a classroom setting that challenges their academic performance . They need to be able to express their ideas and opinions in speech and in writing. They need to think independently, critically, and creatively. Hence, they should be given opportunities to enhance higher order thinking skills like analysis and evaluation (Proficiency in English 1, 2010). In the secondary English curriculum, it aims to address the communication needs of Filipino students for English, which is emerging as the international lingua franca. These communication needs are interpersonal, informative and aesthetics. In consonance with the government’s thrusts and globalization, this English curriculum adopts a communicative-interactive-collaborative approach to learning as well as reflection and introspection with the aim in view of developing autonomous language learners aware of and able to cope with global trends. As secondary English teachers, we can see how essential it is for the Filipino students to become proficient in English language both in written and oral. Aside from being the medium of instruction in the Philippines, learning the English language also provides the Filipino people with all the