Higher Education Institutions: Its Factor Affecting Oral Communication Skills

Abstract

This study highlights several key factors influencing students' oral communication skills in higher education institutions, particularly at North Eastern Mindanao State University (NEMSU). Researchers utilized a quantitative approach through a questionnaire control form to explore how language, personal, and familial factors impact these skills. The findings suggest that students of diverse age, gender, and ethnic backgrounds face challenges in oral communication, particularly in learning English. Among the personal and language-related factors, one critical issue is that students lack consistent practice with correct pronunciation and grammar. This lack of habit, in turn, hampers their proficiency in the universal language. Familial influences also play a role in either hindering or enhancing students' speaking skills. While the study found that students' age does not significantly affect their ability to learn oral communication, gender and ethnicity do have an impact. Differences in gender and ethnic backgrounds contribute to difficulties in language acquisition and communication development, making it harder for students to master English. In summary, the research indicates that personal habits, familial influences, and certain demographic factors, particularly gender and ethnicity, contribute to the challenges students face in improving their oral communication skills in a multicultural and diverse academic environment.