Investigating the Language Competence of Elementary Education Students in a Local College: A Mixed Methods Study

This study looked at the language skills of Elementary Education students at Kapalong College of Agriculture, Sciences, and Technology (KCAST). It focused on reading, writing, speaking, listening, and comprehension. The researchers used a mixed-methods design. They surveyed 164 students and held interviews and focus group discussions with 14 participants. They analyzed the quantitative data using weighted mean and carried out thematic analysis on the qualitative data. The findings showed strong overall language skills, especially in reading and comprehension. However, students faced challenges in speaking, which stemmed from problems with vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Four main themes were identified: (1) Experiencing Language Learning Challenges, (2) Improving Language Competence Through Practice, (3) Building Confidence in Language Use, and (4) Gaining Insights for Future Teaching Practice. The study suggests making instruction more engaging and providing more opportunities for language practice. However, the findings only reflect one institution and may not apply to other settings.