CHAPTER I

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

INTRODUCTION

Many known foreign people have proved the proficiency in the English language
of the Filipinos. Wherever you go within this country, the Filipinos, even if they are
having difficulty in speaking in English, push to their limits just to communicate with
others particularly with foreigners. Despite having a twisted tongue, they dont care
making mistakes in speaking in order to deliver their thoughts, feelings and emotions.
Moreover, because of the native languages of the Filipinos, most of the pronunciation of
the letters switches. For example, the letter V when spoken it sounds like the letter B.
Unlike any other Asian country, the Philippines is one of the English-speaking countries
with fluency in the world. In fact, the Philippines is the call center capital of the world,
beating India last 2015.
According to the Inquirer.net, Based on various surveys, the Philippines is
anywhere from the third to the sixth country in the world with the largest Englishspeaking population. We cant claim to be native English speakers as much as we
would like to, but our talent pool can speak, read and write in this language even at a
rudimentary level. Japan Times columnist Amy Chavez wrote recently of how, during a
visit to the Philippines, she was impressed that even people who had never stepped

1 | Page

outside the country were fluent in English. Having both English and Filipino as official
languages does not mean that everyone understands or speaks English, but the
exposure to the language is so great that those who do speak it can communicate quite
fluently, she added.
Since the Philippines has been known for the fluency in English as its second
language or maybe even third, fourth, and so on, what about the students of the New
Era University? What about the students of the College of Business Administration
(CBA)? What about their proficiency in the English language? The CBA is a program of
study offered at the university that focuses on business theory, practices and
management.
English has been an essential part of the business world. According to the
leading business magazine, Forbes, English is the language of global business. To be
globally competitive, you should know and learn how to communicate with ease using
the English language. Good communications skills are key to success in life.
Communication is successful only when both the sender and the receiver understand
the same information considering that English is the universal language. In business,
you are expected to present a proposal. You might have the most brilliant idea in the
world, but you dont know how to speak in English. It would make the presentation more
impressive and even better if it was presented in English. Knowing good English helps
you to make your point faster. Students who have so much difficulty with their
communication skill in English language may not function effectively especially when
entering the globally competitive working world.

2 | Page

Thus, this research is conducted to distinguish and determine the proficiency

level in the English language of the freshman students in the College of Business
Administration of New Era University.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This research aims to find out and calculate the level of English language of
proficiency of college freshman students in the College of Business Administration at
New Era University, Academic Year 2015-2016.
This research envisioned to answer the following questions:
1. What is the profile of the respondent in terms of:
a. Major
b. Gender
c. Age

3 | Page

2. How proficient are the freshman students of the College of Business

Administration from New Era University?
3. What is the implication of the findings of the study to the freshman students of
the College of Business Administration from New Era University?
4.
5. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
6.

The findings of this study on the respondents English language

proficiency would help be a meaningful reference for future purposes. Much of
the research data may be useful in the solution of problems related to English
language learning as well as teaching.

7.

Some of the target beneficiaries and expected users of this studys

outputs are indicated hereunder.

8.

Respondents. This research will help the respondents to know how

proficient they are by means of the tests conducted. It demonstrates intelligence
and eloquence. Moreover, it leads to the enrichment of their English language
skills.

9.

Students. In this study, students will find essential information that will
provide guidance and instructions on better language skills development. It is
important to know their language proficiency ability so they can communicate
effectively.

10.

Teachers. The findings and information can be used by teachers and

professors as basis of adjustments in their teaching strategies according to the

need of the learners they are handling. Also, they are expected to guide students
to improve their language proficiency.
11.
12. SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
13.

In this study, the respondents are limited to forty (40) freshman students
from the different courses of the College of Business Administration who will be
chosen at random. This research will take place inside New Era University. In
addition to this, no fixed age and gender is required. Their opinions and
comments will contribute great help in this study.

14.
15. DEFINITION OF TERMS
16.

The following terms have been defined for the purpose of clarifying

their use in this study.

17. Language: the system of words or signs that people use to express thoughts
and feelings to each other
18. Proficiency: advancement in knowledge or skill
19. English: English language or literature as a subject in school
20. Communication: the act or process of using words, sounds, signs, or behaviors
to express or exchange information or to express your ideas, thoughts, feelings,
etc., to someone else

21. Fluency: the ability to speak easily and smoothly; the ability to speak a foreign
language easily and effectively
22. Freshman: a student in the first year of high school or college
23. Business Administration: a program of studies in a college or university that
teaches students how to run a business
24. Lingua Franca: a language that is used among people who speak various
different languages
25. ADD WORDS FROM CHAPTER 2
26.
27. CHAPTER III
28. METHODOLOGY
29.

This chapter discusses how the study is conducted. This will include the
research design, research locale, respondents of the study, instrumentation,
statistical tools, and sample and sampling techniques.

30.
31. RESEARCH DESIGN
32.

This study used a descriptive method of research. This method doesnt

answer why, where, when, who, or how. Instead, it answers what are the
characteristics of the population or situation being studied? A descriptive

research describes and interprets existing phenomenon. It also gives meaning to

the quality of facts that is going on. It is used to obtain information concerning the
current events of the phenomena to describe what exists with respect to
variables or conditions in a situation.
33.
34. RESEARCH LOCALE
35.

This research was conducted inside the campus of New Era University
located at Barangay New Era, Quezon City.

36.
37. RESPONDENTS OF THE STUDY
38.

The target respondents of the study were forty (40) freshman students
from the various courses of the College of Business Administration, S.Y. 20152016, that have sufficient knowledge in the English language. The respondents
were chosen at random.

39.
40. INSTRUMENTATION
41.

To determine the English language proficiency of the freshman students

from the College of Business Administration, a 20-item test questionnaire was
taken from a credible source in the internet. The respondents were given
enough time to be able to supply the needed data.

42.
43. STATISTICAL TOOLS
44.

Statistics is the practice of collecting and analyzing numerical data. It is

also used in organizing data. To determine the respondents level of English
proficiency, the following score interval was used.
1.
2. 20 Item Test

5.
6. 16.1 20.0

9.

3.
4. Verbal Interpretation

7.
8. Advanced Proficient

11.

10. 12.1 16.0

12. Proficient

13.

15.

14. 8.1 12.0

16. High Intermediate

17.

19.

18. 4.1 8.0

20. Low Intermediate

21.

23.

22. 0 4.0

45.

24. Basic
TECHNIQUES
47. ???

46. SAMPLING