English Speaking Skills of Senior High School Teachers: Basis for Teachers' English Language Enhancement Program
Niel Dayandayan | Flordeliza Cuerda
Discipline: Education
Abstract:
This study aimed to assess the English-speaking skills of senior high school teachers in Isabel, Leyte, focusing on
pronunciation, fluency, and communication abilities. Using a descriptive research design, data were collected through
the EnglishScore app assessment tool, which aligns with the Common European Framework of Reference for
Languages (CEFR)—an international standard for describing language ability across listening, speaking, reading, and
writing on a scale from A1 (beginner) to C2 (proficient). A complete enumeration technique was utilized to include
all 30 senior high school teachers. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the results, specifically the mean and
percentage distribution. Findings revealed that the majority of participants demonstrated high levels of English
proficiency, predominantly falling within the B2 (Upper Intermediate) and C1 (Advanced) levels. For pronunciation,
63.33% of teachers achieved B2, and 23.33% attained C1, indicating clear and intelligible speech. In terms of fluency,
50% were at B2, 36.66% at B1 (Intermediate), and 3.33% at C1, suggesting generally smooth but sometimes hesitant
speech. Communication skills showed more variation, with 33.33% at B1, 26.66% at B2, and 23.33% at C1; however,
16.66% remained at A2 (Elementary), indicating a need for support in spontaneous conversation and complex
interaction. The study is grounded in the principles of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT), a language teaching
approach that emphasizes interaction as both the means and the goal of learning a language. Overall, the teachers
exhibited functional English-speaking skills suitable for academic instruction, but improvement is necessary,
particularly in interactive communication. Based on the findings, the study recommends developing a comprehensive
professional language enhancement program focusing on speaking fluency, communicative competence, and
advanced oral language training. Such initiatives are crucial to ensuring that all teachers achieve higher proficiency
levels conducive to effective English-medium instruction and global communication standards.
References:
- Alabi, O., & Bukola, T. (2023). Introduction to descriptive statistics. In B. S. Kumar (Ed.), Recent advances in biostatistics (pp. 1–20). IntechOpen. DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.1002475
- Albiladi, W. S., & Alshareef, H. (2019). The effectiveness of using digital platforms in language classrooms: Podcasts and vlogs in enhancing English proficiency. Language Learning & Technology, 23(1), 74-92.
- Al-Jamal, D. A., & Al-Jamal, G. A. (2013, November 30). An investigation of the difficulties faced by EFL undergraduates in speaking skills. English Language Teaching. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1075655
- Antivola, M. H. L. (2023, October 17). Filipinos’ declining English proficiency alarms foreign business groups. BusinessWorld Online. https://www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/2023/10/17/551860/filipinos-declining-english-proficiency-alarms-foreign-business-groups/#google_vignette
- Bacca-Acosta, J., Fabregat, R., Baldiris, S., Kinshuk, K., & Guevara, J. (2022, January 23). Wiley Online Library | Scientific Research Articles, journals, ... Wiley Online Library. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jcal.12671
- Balgos, A. R. (2020, December). The reduction of speaking anxiety in EFL learners through drama techniques. Research Gate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273899013_The_Reduction_of_SpeakingAnxiety_in_EFL_Learners_through_Drama_Techniques
- Banegas, D. L. (2021). Preparing future teachers for CLIL: An in-depth investigation of three cases. British Council. Research Gate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/365768989_Challenging_but_not_impossible_Student-teachers%27_views_of_CLIL
- British Council. (2022). EnglishScore: A mobile-based assessment tool for English language proficiency. https://www.professorjackrichards.com/wp-content/uploads/Richards-Communicative-Language.pdf
- British Council. (2023). EnglishScore: A mobile-based solution for assessing English proficiency aligned with CEFR levels. British Council. https://www.britishcouncil.org/exam/englishscore
- Cabigon, M. (2015, November). Home. British Council. https://www.britishcouncil.ph/teach/state-english-philippines-should-we-be-concerned-2
- Cervantes, F. M. (2023, August 16). SWS: 47% of Filipinos’ competent’ with English language. Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/
- Cervantes, F. M. (2023a, August 16). SWS: 47% of Filipinos’ competent’ with English language. Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/
- Chand, G. B. (2021). Challenges Faced by Bachelor Level Students While Speaking English . Indonesian Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED475048.pdf
- Chou, M. H. (2018). The impact of mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) on speaking proficiency among Taiwanese students. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 21(1), 58-70.
- Chung, H. (2022). Best practices teaching adult English as a second language in the virtual classroom. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 2022(175-176), pp. 45–57.
- Council of Europe, C. (2020). Common european framework of reference for languages: Learning, teaching, assessment (CEFR) - Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages
- Curle, S., Yuksel, D., Aizawa, I., Thompson, G., & Rakhshandehroo, M. (2023, November 30). Academic success in English medium instruction programmes in Turkey: Exploring the effect of gender, motivation, and English language proficiency. International Journal of Educational Research. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0883035523001519?via%3Dihub
- Dawe, C. J. (2014, April 1). Language Governmentality in Philippine education policy. ScholarlyCommons. https://repository.upenn.edu/entities/publication/4e77bf47-36e5-48e6-a2ef-a7d16073041a
- De Jesus, M. (2011). High achieving schools and English proficiency: Teacher knowledge and student outcomes. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 2(6), 1189-1198.
- Diva, C. B., Derequito, C., Sarmiento, M., Daquil, A. L., Andrade, R. R., & Ching, D. A. (2022). Attitude toward communicative language teaching and the oral proficiency of students in the graduate program. International Conference on Multidisciplinary Industry and Academic Research. https://iiari.org/conference_article/attitude-toward-communicative-language-teaching-and-the-oral-proficiency-of-students-in-the-graduate-program/
- Dungog, V. B., & Libo-on, J. (2021, July). Teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs and their English language proficiency: A study of non-native EFL teachers in selected language centers. Research Gate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275542811_Teachers’_Self-efficacy_Beliefs_and_their_English_Language_Proficiency_A_Study_of_Nonnative_EFL_Teachers_in_Selected_Language_Centers
- Encyclohub. (2024, February 23). Sampling techniques: Complete enumeration versus sampling. https://encyclohub.com/sampling-techniques-complete-enumeration-versus-sampling/
- Faez, F., Karas, M., & Uchihara, T. (2019, September 13). Connecting language proficiency to teaching ability: A meta-analysis. Sage Journals . https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full-xml/10.1177/1533317520960873
- Farrell, T. S. C., & Richards, J. C. (2020). Teacher professional development in language teaching: A review of recent research. Language Teaching, 53(3), 325–350.
- Gan, Z. (2012). Challenges faced by Chinese tertiary students in developing English-speaking proficiency. Language Learning Journal, 40(2), 211-227
- Gilakjani, A. P. (2016, December). English pronunciation instruction: A literature review - international journal of research in english education. International Journal of Research in English Education. https://ijreeonline.com/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1-1&sid=1&slc_lang=en
- Goh, C., & Burns, A. (2012, April). Teaching speaking: A holistic approach. Cambridge. https://www.cambridge.org/iq/cambridgeenglish/teacher-development/teaching-speaking/teaching-speaking-a-holistic-approach-paperback
- Green, A. (2020). The CEFR in practice. Cambridge University Press. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cefr-inpractice/6F6D7B4B7A7F0F2C9B8F0D5D7D8D9F9F
- Günes, Ç., & Sarigöz, I. H. (2020, November 30). Speaking struggles of young EFL learners. International Journal of Curriculum and Instruction. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1292324
- Gusviyani, V., Ibrahim, B., Heryatun, Y., & Humaeroh, S. (2022). An analysis of the factors of students’ difficulties in speaking English faced by non-English department students. English Education, Linguistics, and Literature Journal, 1(2), 64-74.
- IELTS. (2024, February 27). News and insights - how important is English language proficiency for... https://ielts.org/news-and-insights/how-important-is-english-language-proficiency-for-academic-success
- Kalyuga, S., & Sweller, J. (2005). Reducing extraneous cognitive load in the learning of complex tasks: Implications for instructional design. Research Gate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342798415_Cognitive-Load_Theory_Methods_to_Manage_Working_Memory_Load_in_the_Learning_of_Complex_Tasks
- Khabbazbashi, N., & Kunnan, A. J. (2020). The effect of teachers’ scaffolding and peers’ collaborative dialogue on L2 learners’ language learning. Iranian Journal of Language Teaching Research. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1239795.pdf
- Khabbazbashi, N., Nakatsuhara, F., Inoue, C., & Green, A. (2020). Developing an online speaking test of English for students at the end of primary and beginning of secondary school education. Research Gate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379723181_The_Design_and_Validation_of_an_Online_Speaking_Test_for_Young_Learners_in_Uruguay_Challenges_and_Innovations
- Kunnan, A. J. (2021). The effect of teachers’ scaffolding and peers’ collaborative dialogue on L2 learners’ language learning. Iranian Journal of Language Teaching Research . https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1239795.pdf
- Kurniatillah, R. E., Rafika, Z., Husna, N., Hidayat, D. N., & Fitriah, F. (2022). Assessing students’ speaking ability using communicative language testing approach on secondary level in the pandemic era. Edukatif: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, 4(3), 4037–4044. DOI: 10.31004/edukatif.v4i3.2766
- Leow, R. P., & Bowles, M. A. (2021). Cognitive-load theory: Methods to manage working memory load in the learning of complex tasks. Research Gate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342798415_Cognitive-Load_Theory_Methods_to_Manage_Working_Memory_Load_in_the_Learning_of_Complex_Tasks
- Marzban, A., & Tahriri, A. (2021). The effect of teachers’ scaffolding and peers’ collaborative dialogue on L2 learners’ language learning. Iranian Journal of Language Teaching Research. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1239795.pdf
- National Council of Teachers of English, S. (2021, August 25). NCTE position paper on the role of English teachers in educating English language learners (ells). https://ncte.org/statement/teaching-english-ells
- Noom-ura, S. (2013, October 9). English-teaching problems in Thailand and Thai teachers’ professional development needs. English Language Teaching. http://ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/elt/article/view/31115
- North, B., & Piccardo, E. (2016). Developing illustrative descriptors of aspects of mediation for the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Council of Europe. https://rm.coe.int/common-european-framework-of-reference-for-languages-learning-teaching/168073ff31
- Ordorica, S. (2024, August 9). The importance of language proficiency in international business negotiations. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2024/08/09/the-importance-of-language-proficiency-in-international-business-negotiations/
- Özdemir, A., Çiğdemoğlu, C., & Mirici, S. (2021, September 28). The Effect Of Project Supervision Training On Teachers’ Views Of Nature Of Scientific Inquiry . International Online Journal of Education and Teaching (IOJET). https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ997467.pdf
- Paas, F., & van Merriënboer, J. J. G. (2020). Cognitive load theory: Methods to manage working memory load in the learning of complex tasks. Sage Journals. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0963721420922183
- Philippine Institute for Development Studies. (2023, October 24). Arresting ph decline in English proficiency. https://pids.gov.ph/details/news/in-the-news/arresting-ph-decline-in-english-proficiency
- Philstar Global. (2020, November 19). 2020 English proficiency index: Philippines out of World’s top 20 but is No.2 in Asia. Philstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/11/19/2058021/2020-english-proficiency-index-philippines-out-worlds-top-20-no2-asia
- Pontillas, M., & Fajardo, D. F. B. (2023, September). Employability Status of English language studies graduates in a Polytechnic State College in the Philippines. Research Gate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/374302594_Employability_Status_Of_English_Language_Studies_Graduates_In_A_Polytechnic_State_College_In_The_Philippines
- Prasetyaningrum, A., Jaelani, S. R., & Azima, M. F. F. (2021). An analysis on students’ difficulties in speaking. Humanitatis: Journal of Language and Literature, 7(2), 187-192.
- Putri, S. A., Amri, S., & Ahmad, A. (2020). The students’ difficulties factors in speaking. J-Shelves of Indragiri (JSI), 1(2), 115-129.
- Rao, P.S. (2019). The importance of speaking English in English classrooms. Alford Council of International English & Literature Journal (ACIELJ), 2(2), 6-18
- Richards, J. C. (2017). Teaching English through English: Proficiency, pedagogy and performance. RELC Journal, 48(1), 1–24.
- Richards, J. C. (2022). Communicative Language Teaching Today. https://www.professorjackrichards.com/wp-content/uploads/Richards-Communicative-Language.pdf
- Sha’ar, M. Y. M. A., & Boonsuk, Y. (2021). What hinders English speaking in Thai EFL learners? Investigating factors that affect the development of their English speaking skills. Mextesol Journal, 45(3), n3.
- Sweller, J., Ayres, P., & Kalyuga, S. (2019). Cognitive load theory. Cambridge University Press. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cognitive-load-theory/6D62D6D6075E9FF1B74E56755B91A5E7
- TeleTech. (2013). The state of English proficiency in the BPO industry. TeleTech.
- Todd, R. W., & Shih, C.-M. (2013, November 11). Assessing English in Southeast Asia. Wiley Online Library. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781118411360.wbcla023
- Tsagari, D., & Csépes, I. (2020). The CEFR in practice. Cambridge University Press. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cefr-in-practice/6F6D7B4B7A7F0F2C9B8F0D5D7D8D9F9F
- Wang, C. (2021, May 24). The relationship between teachers’ classroom English proficiency and their teaching self-efficacy in an English medium instruction context. Frontiers. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.611743/full
- Wang, X., & Gunaban, M. G. (2023, November). Effectiveness of Mobile-Assisted Language Learning in Enhancing the English Proficiency. Research Gate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/376048466_Effectiveness_of_Mobile-Assisted_Language_Learning_in_Enhancing_the_English_Proficiency .
- Yuvayapan, S. (2019). Translanguaging in EFL classrooms: Teachers’ perceptions and practices. Research Gate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334269496_Translanguaging_in_EFL_classrooms_Teachers%27_perceptions_and_practices