The Mediating Role of English Speaking Skills in the Relationship between Social Literacy and the Engagement of Students

Abstract

This study determined the mediating role of English speaking skills in the relationship between social literacy and student engagement in colleges and universities in Davao Oriental, Philippines. A non-experimental quantitative research design using descriptive-correlational research design was applied and employed stratified random sampling with 313 Education college students as a sample. Data collection was made through a survey instrument. Data analysis was done through Mean, Pearson-r, Multiple Regression, and Medgraph using the Sobel z-test. Results revealed that English speaking skills, social literacy, and engagement were high. A positive correlation between English speaking skills and social literacy, English speaking skills and student engagement, and social literacy and student engagement was proven in the study. The findings affirmed that English speaking skills played a partial mediation, thus it cannot fully account for the influence of social literacy on student engagement. Moreover, a high level of English-speaking skills helped increase the students’ capability to be highly engaged in academics and other school-related activities. It is recommended that the administrators of tertiary education continue to have regular reviews, evaluations, and implementation of the existing curriculum. Also, there is a need to implement strengthen the English language as a medium of instruction on subjects that use the English language. For instance, an English-only policy is one of the best practices that schools should impose. Lastly, the researcher recommends the regular conduct of interviews such as entrance, yearly, and exit interviews using the English language.

A Sequential Explanatory Approach on the Relationship Between Social Literacy and Student Engagement as Mediated by English Speaking Skills

“…This means that that the level of English speaking skills among English major students in Region XI is oftentimes practiced. These significant results relate to the findings of the study ofRulona and Bacasmot (2023) which found that the level of SL in terms of intellectual skills, social skills, cooperation skills, and social attitude and values among students in Davao Oriental is high which means that SL is oftentimes observed on many occasions. Further, Quin (2017) also found that social and behavioral engagement has an impact on student participation since both enable possibilities for developing relationships, setting of clear limits and opportunities, and opportunity of collaborating with others and with personal interaction.…”

“…Aside from that, despite the many studies conducted showing the bivariate relationships between SE and SL (Ngoyi et al, 2014) and SE and ESS (Binnendyk, 2020), previous researchers have not come across of studying the same variables and research design used in the present study which was published in the Philippines. On the other hand, there is a published and existing study about the effect of ESS on the relationship between SE and SL (Rulona & Bacasmot, 2023), but it was conducted using a quantitative research design in descriptive-correlational approach. Hence, it is now the present study which will add new body of knowledge using these variables in different approach.…”

The Role of Language Teaching in Promoting Educational Quality in Early Childhood Education

“…Language acquisition, particularly of an internationally recognized language such as English, is increasingly viewed as a means of achieving academic and professional success (Rulona & Bacasmot, 2023). This importance grows in the field of childhood education since it effects cognitive development, communication skills, and future academic trajectories.…”