Correlates of English Proficiency Among Christian and Muslim Education Students of MSU-Maguindanao

Abstract

This study intended to find out whether students’ I.Q., students’ regard for English proficiency in relation to their human needs, and cultural orientation contribute to the English proficiency of the students at MSU-Maguindanao, Philippines.

The study used the qualitative-quantitative method. Twenty-five (25) Christian and twenty-five Muslim students of MSU-Maguindanao were the respondents of the study. Four (4) research instruments were used which are the Versant Pro-Speaking Test, the OTIS Lennon Ability Test, the Survey Questionnaire on students’ regard for English proficiency in relation to their human needs, and the interview guide questionnaire on students’ regard for English proficiency in relation to their human needs.

The results indicated that the Christian Education students’ intelligence is average, if combined the intelligence level of both groups the result is low. In terms of the students’ regard for English proficiency in relation to their human needs, the Christian and the Muslim students have moderate need of English proficiency to attain their physiological needs, safety needs, love and belongingness needs, esteem needs and self-actualization.

The English proficiency test results of both groups show that the Muslim students and Christian students have an English proficiency level of fair. The English fluency of the Christian and Muslim students is significantly related to sentence mastery, vocabulary, pronunciation and listening comprehension. Further the findings indicate that the students’ intelligence level and cultural orientation are predictors of students’ English proficiency.

Keywords: Correlates, English Proficiency, Christian, Muslim, Education, Students