Level of Proficiency in the Correct Use of Filipino Words among Filipino Major Students at Mindanao State University–General Santos
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.68354/742110Keywords:
Filipino Language Competence, Filipino majors, language proficiency, proper word usage, descriptive-correlational research, sex, age, pre-service teachersAbstract
Introduction: Competence in the proper use of Filipino words is essential to language proficiency and effective communication, particularly among pre-service Filipino teachers. However, limited evidence describes their competence in using commonly confused Filipino words.
Objective: This study determined the level of competence in the proper use of Filipino words among Filipino majors at Mindanao State University–General Santos and examined its relationship with age and differences according to sex.
Methods: A descriptive-correlational design was employed involving 41 second-year Bachelor of Secondary Education Filipino majors during Academic Year 2025–2026. Data were collected using a validated 60-item instrument adapted from Naputo (2017), which obtained a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.762. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, Pearson product-moment correlation, and independent-samples t-test at α = 0.05.
Results: Respondents demonstrated a high overall level of competence (M = 4.45; 74.19%). Performance was highest in sundin at sundan (95.95%) and lowest in subukin at subukan (51.22%). No significant relationship was found between age and competence (r = 0.039, p = 0.809), and no significant difference was found according to sex (t = 1.46, p = 0.153).
Conclusions: Filipino majors demonstrated high competence in the proper use of Filipino words, although specific word-use categories require further instructional reinforcement. Age was not significantly associated with competence, and competence did not significantly differ according to sex. The findings may inform targeted language instruction for pre-service Filipino teachers
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