CORRELATING ENGLISH LANGUAGE USAGE WITH ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: A STUDY OF COMMUNICATION STUDENTS IN A STATE UNIVERSITY IN THE PHILIPPINES

ABSTRACTThis study looked into the level of English language usage (ELU) of the 71 Mass Communication students enrolled in the second semester of SY 2013-2014 at the College of Arts and Sciences of the Isabela State University in the Philippines. It determined if the students' English usage scores differed significantly when grouped according to year level. The study also aimed to find out the correlation between the students' ELU scores and their academic achievement as indicated by General Weighted Average (GWA) and the correlation between ELU scores and their grades in Math, specifically in Algebra and Trigonometry and their grade in Science, specifically in Biology. A standardized 40-item ELU Test was administered to the students to determine their ELU level. The students' GWA and grades in the three subjects were secured from the Registrar's Office. Findings show that students have moderate level of English usage and that only the scores of the freshmen and the seniors differed significantly. There is a high significant correlation between the students' ELU scores and their academic achievement. Also, there is a high significant correlation between ELU score and their grade in Science, and between ELU score and their grade in Mathematics. Findings imply that competency in English determines students' academic achievement. Any student who is good in English may be good as well in Science and Mathematics. Curriculum and syllabi planners should offer more English enhancement activities among college freshmen to improve their English competency and thus ensure academic success.Keywords: English Language Usage, Academic Achievement, Grade Weighted Average, Correlation.INTRODUCTION:The importance of English language for enhancing educational attainment through improved communication ability can never be overemphasized. Students who have difficulties in the English language may not function effectively not only in English subjects but in other subjects taught in English as well, such as Science and Mathematics. How well students fare in the academics, therefore, depends largely on their level of proficiency in English language. Linking these two variables, Maleki and Zangani (2007) as cited by Sahragard et al (2011) explained that when students have difficulties in understanding the contents and concepts of subjects presented in the English language, their academic performance would be affected in a negative way.As to the reasons for students' lack of mastery of English language, Iliyas (2011), studying the use of the English program by the College of Education in Nigeria, claimed that this problem may be traced to students' inadequate understanding of the teacher's speech (listening problem) resulting from poor vocabulary and syntactic knowledge (note-taking problem), and deficient language background which compromise students' comprehension. lliyas further claimed that this deficiency in the English language could be attitudinal because many students regarded proficient knowledge of English language as only subordinate to the mastery of their main course of study.But English competency cannot be ignored; it seems to have a link too with students' performance in Science and Mathematics. In Aina et al's (2013) descriptive research among a sample of College of Education students in Nigeria, a strong positive correlation between English proficiency and students' performance in Science and Technical courses existed; those who passed English subjects performed better in science and technical courses than those who failed in these subjects. Considering the implications of their findings, Aina et al forwarded that proficiency in English language should be required for all students in Science and Technical education.The Isabela State University (ISU) is a tertiary learning institution in the northern part of the Philippines. There have been a handful of language researchers in this University who have realized the importance of acquiring competency in English as a second language who conducted studies on students' level of English proficiency. …