SPEAKING PERFORMANCE OF AB ENGLISH MAJORS

A Graduate Thesis Presented

to the Faculty of School of Advanced Studies
PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Urdaneta Campus
Urdaneta City, Pangasinan

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATION
COMMNICATION ARTS – ENGLISH

By:
Joann Ruth M. Gomez

October 2023
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF FIGURES

Chapter

1 THE PROBLEM

Background of the Study

Statement of the Problem

Research Hypothesis

Significance of the Study

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

Definition of Terms

2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Related Literatures

Related Studies

Synthesis of Reviewed Related and Present Study

Theoretical Framework

Conceptual Framework

3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Design
 Respondents of the Study

Data-Gathering Instrument

Data-Gathering Procedure

Statistical Treatment of Data

BIBLIOGRAPHY
 Chapter 1
THE PROBLEM
Background of the Study

Speaking is one of the macro-skills that is commonly used to express

thoughts and ideas in everyday life. Based on Bailey and Savage (1997:7) cited

in Fauziati (2010:15) speaking is the most demanding skill in learning English as

the foreign or second language. In spoken communication, someone is required

to convey orally, sending the information to the listener effectively and efficiently

so that the aim and objectives conveyed by the speaker can be understood

clearly. Based on its use, speaking is divided into two types: formal and informal

speaking. Formal speaking is used habitually by the student to their teacher or

person that is older and has the higher status from them. Informal speaking is

used to make a communication with friends or family.

Moreover, speaking skills are more practical and should be mastered by

the students because it is a productive skill and the basic competency that

students must achieve. Students not only learn theoretically about speaking but

they also must practice it more often, this condition make the students actively

practice speaking English and have better understanding and improve the quality

of their speaking performance. It might be emphasized that giving feedback for

improving students' speaking abilities is just as important as using the right

methods and engaging media while teaching English.

Teachers can employ a variety of strategies to help their students become

better speakers. Peer feedback is one of the methods. In this type of learning
activity, students provide and get feedback from peers who are working on an

assignment to improve their learning performance. Feedback comes in a variety

of formats, including comments and ratings that are determined by specific rating

criteria. Meanwhile, according to Leijen et al. (2009:169) peer feedback has been

widely used by teachers of various subjects to help teachers provide feedback to

students and can improve students’ skill; the researcher has shown that peer

feedback can avoid peer pressure by exchanging feedback and supported using

the magic cards as media in learning.

According to Munjayanah (2004:17) cited in Fitriani et al. (2016:106)

learners have their own difficulties in learning the language, particularly

improving speaking is not easy for the students. English has been adopted as a

foreign language in Indonesia, and in one of the schools there, Senior High

School in Bandar Batang, students encountered some difficulties speaking the

language. The students frequently felt hesitant to speak in English in classrooms,

worried about making mistakes or just shy, and because of the mistakes, the

students felt embarrassed to speak in English. They are unable to think of an

idea or to express what they wish to communicate. Finally, only the English-

proficient students showed an active interest in speaking in class.

As time passes, the market's competency grows higher and tighter. A good

communication skill is advantageous; thus, the researcher wanted to see if the

AB English majors at Pangasinan State University's Urdaneta City Campus are

adequately prepared in terms of their speaking performance. The study's findings

will shed light not only on students' communicative competence, but also on the

quality of language instruction provided at the university.

Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to determine the speaking performance of the AB

English majors of PSU Urdaneta.

This study sought to answer the following specific questions:

1. What is the demographic profile of the students in terms of:

a. age

b. year level

c. family income

d. mother tongue

2. What is the speaking performance of the students in terms of:

a. graded recitation,

b. individual reporting,

c. group reporting?

3. What are the factors affecting the speaking performance of the students?

4. Is there a significant relationship between the demographic profile of the

students and their speaking performance?

Research Hypotheses

1. There is no significant difference in speaking performance of AB English

majors.
Significance of the Study

This study on the speaking performance of AB English majors of PSU

Urdaneta is deemed significant, as it will serve vital purposes to the following:

AB English Majors – This study will help AB English majors to develop their

speaking performance that can boost their confidence and proficiency, helping

them in both academic and professional settings.

Parents – The findings of this study can help parents guide their children in

improving their speaking performance.

Instructors - The study can give instructors insightful information on how to

develop speaking competency among AB English majors and other students

through efficient teaching techniques and procedures.

Educational Institutions - The findings of the study can be used by educational

institutions to improve the quality of their language programs and create a more

meaningful educational experience for students.

Future Researchers – The study's findings will be used as a starting point for

future research. Other variables that may affect the respondents' speaking

performance may be included.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

The study will be conducted in PSU – Urdaneta with the involvement of

the respondents from AB English majors of Academic Year 2023 – 2024 who are

going to be randomly selected.

 This study will focus on the speaking performance of the AB English

majors of PSU - Urdaneta. The instrument to be used in this study is from the

International English Proficiency Test (IEPT) presented by RoadToNaukri and

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) that the researcher will

adapt to determine only the speaking performance of the respondents in terms of

grammar, vocabulary, spontaneity, comprehension, and coherence in English

language.

This study is delimited to determining the speaking performance of the

respondents.

Definition of Terms

The following terms are defined operationally to give the readers a better

understanding of the usage in the study.

Speaking. It is the ability to verbally communicate and express ideas in

English through oral language.

Performance. Refers to the execution or demonstration of skills, actions,

or tasks in a specific context, often evaluated based on established criteria for

quality and effectiveness.

Formal Speaking. This is defined as a mode of communication

characterized by specific linguistic and behavioral attributes.

 Informal Speaking. Defined as a mode of communication characterized

by specific linguistic and behavioral attributes that deviate from formal or

structured speech.

Grammar.

Vocabulary.

Fluency.

Pronunciation.

Content Relevance.
 Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter presents the summary of the reviewed literature, concepts,

and studies of different authors which are deemed relevant and essential to the

development of this study. The said literature, concepts, and studies are

indispensable in charting the direction of this study.

RELATED LITERATURE
Theoretical Framework

Communicative Competence Theory. This theory, developed by linguist

Dell Hymes, emphasizes that language proficiency extends beyond knowing

grammar and vocabulary. It includes the ability to use language effectively in real-

world communication while considering social and cultural context. This theory-

based research would investigate how AB English majors demonstrate

communicative competence in their speaking performance.

Sociocultural Theory. The sociocultural theory of Lev Vygotsky

emphasizes the importance of social interaction and cultural context in language

development. Using this framework, the researcher would investigate how social

interactions and cultural factors influence the speaking performance of AB

English majors.

Input Hypothesis. This theory, developed by Stephen Krashen, holds that

language learners learn most effectively when they are exposed to language that

is slightly above their current proficiency level. The researcher could investigate

how input-based language learning affects speaking ability.

Speaking Assessment Models. Language assessment frameworks, such

as the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or

the guidelines of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages

(ACTFL), provide criteria for evaluating speaking proficiency. These models could

be used by the researcher to evaluate and comprehend speaking performance.

Conceptual Framework

The concept of the study is illustrated in a paradigm (Figure 1). The

paradigm shows the independent variables which include age, year level, family

income, and mother tongue, and the dependent variable which is the speaking

performance of AB English majors.

Student’s Profile:
a. age
Speaking Performance of
b. year level
AB English Majors
c. family income
d. mother tongue

Figure 1. Research Paradigm

 Chapter 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This study will use the descriptive design. According to Calmorin (2016),

descriptive research is concerned with finding out what prevails in the present

conditions, relationships, held opinion and beliefs, processes and effects, and

developing trends. It also seeks to examine the relationships between variables,

explores causes of phenomena, tests hypotheses, and develops generalizations,

principles, or theories on the basis of its findings. Considering that this study is

concerned with determining the speaking performance of the respondents and

how their profile is related to the speaking performance, the descriptive method

of research is appropriate.

Respondents of the Study

The respondents of the study are the AB English majors of Pangasinan

State University, Urdaneta Campus for Academic Year 2023 – 2024. Random

sampling from all the year level is to be done.

 Questionnaire

Part I. Profile

Direction: Please provide the information being asked in every question and put a

check mark ( ) on the box/boxes that correspond/s to your answer.

Name (Optional):

Course/Year Level:

Mother Tongue (Choose the most used language):

Monthly Family Income Range:

Below P 7,000.00

From P 7,500.00 – P 15,000.00

From P 15,000.00 – P 30,000.00

Above P 30,000.00

Part II.