The Second Language Exposure and Proficiency of the High School Students in Cebu City

Abstract

This study deals on how the Cebuano high school students are exposed to a second language--English and Filipino, their attitudes towards learning the same and their level of proficiency in such languages. A non-probability convenience sampling was conducted in three high schools in Cebu City getting 171 respondents. They were made to take a language proficiency test in Filipino and English. Interviews and focused group discussions were also done to assess clearly their competence in both languages. The study showed that their exposure to a language counts much in achieving language proficiency. The study, however, negates the relationship between the students’ level of proficiency and their attitude towards learning both languages. Further, this study illustrates how the Bilingual Education Policy as well as the new trends of the Mother Tongue-Based Learning had contributed more to the decline of the students’ English proficiency. The domains of English are contracting while those of the Filipino language as well as the regional dialects are expanding. School administrators must look into the language policy in schools to improve the English language competency of the students and make them more globally competitive.