Speaking Competence of Grade 11 Students in using English as Second Language

Abstract

English language is accepted as the universal language. This makes speaking competence in the English language a requisite to almost all professions. Speaking competence in the second language is one of the areas needing improvement amongst senior high school students in the Philippines. This study aimed to investigate the influence of some personal factors, speaking anxiety and linguistic competence to student’s speaking competence in the second language. The Second Language Classroom Anxiety Scale was used to measure student’s anxiety towards the use of English as a second language. Job interview simulation is also used involving selected Grade 11 students. Results showed that majority of the students are specialized in non-STEM strand whose parents are not college degree holders. These students demonstrated an average level of speaking anxiety reflecting the tendency to show low self- confidence when asked to speak using the English language yet unprepared for the conversation. Same students also showed remarkably low levels of linguistic competence in terms of grammar, comprehension, and vocabulary. Further analysis showed that linguistic competence significantly influenced student’s speaking competence in the job interview. Findings were used as bases for the development of an intervention program.