Review of Related Studies
Review of Related Studies
Review of Related Studies
Foreign
global communication (Jeraltin Vency, & Ramganesh, 2013). Graddol (2007) suggests
that English has spread due to globalization and likewise globalization has spread owing
English is also the language that is most commonly used within the academic field. As a
using the language (Brindley, 2006). This study focused on the test scores of a language
proficiency exam and with variables related to a number of student background factors.
English is regarded as the global language of the contemporary world (Stephen, Welman,
& An, 2004). English is being more widely used in international contexts and this causes
knowledge of the skills needed into practice. According to Davies (1997), a test used for
language proficiency should measure the learned level of the foreign language. While
designing these tests, training and the objectives in the syllabus of any course should not
be considered within the content of a proficiency test (Hughes, 2003). Proficiency tests
Tytti Ekola stated in his study that the position of the English language, be it in
international language with speakers all over the world. In fact, the number of second and
foreign language speakers of English has exceeded the native speakers and English has
gained a lingua franca status in different fields (Jenkins 2003: 2). English has been the
According to what the researcher claimed in his study, it is in this domain where
an important member of the academic community. Moreover, this lingua franca enables
people with different native languages to come together and contribute to the science
community through their knowledge. As globalization advances, the demand for people
with good skills in multiple languages in working life increases (Karjalainen and
Lehtonen 2005). More often than not, it seems that the most common language needed
and used, regardless of the sector or field, is English. Its popularity in the field of science
is no doubt due to the fact that cooperation between scientists all over the world is vital
and important for the knowledge to reach people worldwide. Although the field of
business and its use of English have been studied reasonably thoroughly in terms of
language needs, the needs of professionals in the field of science have not been at the
center of attention to the same extent. By comparing these language needs with language
proficiency, the aim is to achieve a more accurate picture of the language use of academic
researchers.
Local
This study conducted by Robelle Millie Ann B. Racca and Ronald Candy S.
Lasaten, states that in a report published by called Business English Index (BEI),
Philippines was tagged as the world’s best country in business English proficiency, in not
just one but two consecutive years. Based on the BEI Report in 2012, only the
Philippines attained a score above 7.0, putting the country within range of a high
proficiency that indicates an ability to lead business discussions and perform complex
tasks. Moreover, in 2013 BEI report, the Philippines earned 7.95 score, an improved BEI
score over the prior year. This maybe the reason why the Philippines has taken over India
as a hub for call centers in Asia. However, various studies reveal that the quality of
tests and board examinations. Not only the elementary and secondary graduates are
affected but also the college graduates. The Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC)
reports that passers of board examinations in all fields of endeavor continue to go down.
One of the important causes for this phenomenon is the low academic performance in the
elementary and secondary levels. This academic performance of the students can be
attributed to their proficiency in the English language. Educators agree that proficiency in
the English language is the basis for success in academic pursuits. Reading, writing, and
working with numbers are tasks that are based on language skills, describes this as the
interplay between everyday language skills and more advanced communication skills.
subjects like Science, Mathematics and English often requires the use of language
functions. The language functions play a significant role in critical and analytical thinking
required in science and mathematics subjects. Thus, the more the students are proficient
with the English language, the more they are likely to perform well in their academic
subjects.
A study showed by Virginia J. Magbanua has proven that college students’ low
English proficiency has received increasing attention in Taiwan these years. The
majority of its population having at least some degree of fluency in the language. English
has always been one of the official languages of the Philippines and is spoken by more
than 14 million Filipinos. It is the language of commerce and law, as well as the primary
country’s strengths that has helped drive the economy and even made the Philippines the
to the relatively more affordable but quality English as a Second Language (ESL)
the British Council, key stakeholders from the government, academe, private, and non-
government sectors acknowledged that even if the Philippines is doing fine in terms of
English competency, concerns on how much of a competitive advantage it still is for the
country were raised. The stakeholders agreed that the country needs to step up its efforts
in improving the teaching and learning of English, developing it as a vital skill of the
workforce. This is an initiative that could potentially strengthen the Philippines' distinct
advantage in this part of the world, particularly with the upcoming ASEAN economic
integration (Cabigon, 2016).In view of this, this study is conducted to find out the
Foreign
The article written by Karen Ford says that research has shown that alphabet
development in children (for a review see Adams, 1990; Lonigan, Burgess, & Anthony,
2000; Wagner et al., 1997). In processing both spoken and written language, the human
unique for each individual language, as each language has its own distinct set of sounds,
with very specific rules that govern how those sounds can be combined into syllables and
words (for discussion see Cohn, 2003). Phonological awareness is the ability to
manipulate language at the phonological level, that is, to "reflect on the component
sounds of spoken words, rather than on their meanings" (Goswami, 2000, p. 251).
Phonological awareness skills are known to develop in a predictable pattern, which is the
same from one language to another (i.e., from larger to smaller units of sound - from
one language can transfer to another language, even while those skills are still in the
Karen Ford claimed in her study that the ability of phonological awareness skills
to transfer from one language to another presents advantages that are readily apparent;
interference, can have an adverse effect on L2 literacy acquisition (Bialystok, 2002; Brice
Durgunoglu (2002) notes, "there are certain literacy concepts and strategies that can be
universal and operate across languages. These insights and skills need to be acquired only
once and apply in all languages of LLs. However, there are also language-specific
concepts and knowledge; for example, orthographic patterns that are specific to a
says that English learners can learn to read at the same rate as their native English-
speaking peers but may need extra support. A comprehensive core reading program
includes well-developed assessment systems for identifying student needs. The field of
letter knowledge, and word and text reading which give teachers solid information about
their students' reading development. The same English language instruments that are used
with native English speakers can also be used with English learners.
According to them, teachers can use these measures to determine which students
need support and what kind of support they need. By the middle of kindergarten, after
students have received some instruction, these formative assessments are a valid indicator
of whether or not a student is at risk for reading problems. Students at a higher risk will
The author also claimed that starting in kindergarten, academic English should be
taught explicitly in specific blocks of time throughout the day - during content area
instruction, reading instruction, and English language development. Students should learn
the structure of the language, grammar, how words and phrases are used. They need to
learn the technical vocabulary in content areas as well as general academic words.
Mike Cabigon wrote in his article that proficiency in language is also one of the
country’s strengths that have helped drive the economy and even made the Philippines
the top voice outsourcing destination in the world, surpassing India in 2012. The influx of
foreign learners of English is also on the rise due to the relatively more affordable but
quality English as a Second Language (ESL) programs being offered locally. However, in
a recent roundtable discussion organized by the British Council, key stakeholders from
the government, academe, private, and non-government sectors acknowledged that even
if the Philippines is doing fine in terms of English competency, concerns on how much of
a competitive advantage it still is for the country were raised. The stakeholders agreed
that the country needs to step up its efforts in improving the teaching and learning of
Education, says that the College ensures this by emphasizing to its students that English
teaching, and are taught to ask learners to do meaningful tasks using English. “Our future
teachers should ensure that English is a means of communication, rather than a set of
His article also stated that representatives from the private sector also suggested
Butch Hernandez claimed in his work that the availability of quality human
Investments. “Our people are highly educated. The literacy rate is 94 percent and 70
percent of the population are fluent in English, making us one of the largest English-
speaking countries in the world. Filipinos also have strong customer service orientation
and are highly trainable,” says the BOI. Based on various surveys, the Philippines is
anywhere from the third to the sixth country in the world with the largest English-
like to, but our talent pool can speak, read and write in this language even at a
rudimentary level.
Helping young learners master their mother tongue significantly heightens their
Education itself recognizes that English proficiency is a competitive edge that previous
generations of Filipinos used to enjoy. Sadly, there is no denying that many of today’s
high school or even college graduates have difficulty in expressing their thoughts clearly
and logically in English, in Filipino, or sometimes even in their mother tongue. However,
it is almost certain that graduates of the new K-to-12 curriculum with MTBMLE will be
better prepared for the challenges of the 21st-century workplace. The fact remains,
however, that employers still turn away many of our youth because their English skills
are below par, despite the Philippines being a country where the English language is
Hernandez also stated that the size of the skill gap is huge. When 70 percent of
company today is composed of an untold number of very smart employees with cutting-
edge knowledge who simply are unable to contribute meaningfully to their global teams.
mistakes are made and delays caused, that productivity plummets destructively.
References
www.thesis.bilkent.edu.tr
Ekola, T. (2016, December). English Language Needs and Language Proficiency
from www.ijlll.org
Magbanua, V. (2016, November). English Proficiency of College Students.
english-language-learners
U.S. Department of Education, Teaching Literacy in English to K-5 English
english-k-5-english-learners
Cabigon, M. English in the Philippines: Should We Be Concerned?. Retrieved
from www.britishcouncil.ph/teach/state-english-philippines-should-we-be-
concerned-2
Hernandez, B. English proficiency as a competitive edge. Retrieved from
opinion.inquirer.net/86602/english-proficiency-as-a-competitive-edge/amp