The Four Macro Skills in English: Identifying and Addressing Learning Gaps among Grade 6 Learners in Socorro East District

This study employed an explanatory sequential mixed- method design to assess the English proficiency of Grade 6 learners in four macro skills—reading comprehension, listening comprehension, viewing comprehension, and writing & grammar awareness—and to explore the learning gaps and challenges faced in developing these skills. The quantitative phase utilized a descriptive-correlational approach, involving 172 randomly selected pupils from six elementary schools in Socorro East District, Siargao Division. A validated researcher-made 40-item multiple-choice formative test, guided by a Table of Specifications (TOS), was administered to measure learners’ proficiency. Statistical tools such as mean, standard deviation, and Pearson r were used for analysis. The qualitative phase included interviews with six English teachers and 12 pupils, with responses analyzed thematically. Findings showed that pupils were generally at the "developing" level in reading, listening, and writing & grammar, and at the “proficient” level in viewing comprehension. Significant positive correlations were found among the macro skills, with moderate relationships between reading, listening, and viewing comprehension, and weaker links involving writing & grammar. Identified challenges included limited vocabulary, poor reading fluency, and difficulty identifying main ideas in reading; struggles with fast-paced spoken English and unfamiliar accents in listening; limited visual literacy in viewing; and grammatical errors and poor organization in writing. The study concluded that English macro skills are interrelated and emphasized the need for targeted support. To address the identified learning gaps and foster comprehensive language proficiency, a specialized intervention titled the SPARK Program (Strategic Program for Advancing Reading, Listening, Knowledge in Grammar & Writing, and Visual Literacy) is proposed. This program is designed to promote holistic language development among learners through structured, interactive, and skill-specific strategies.