World Education Connect Multidisciplinary e-Publication, Vol. VI, Issue IX (September 2026), pp.314-319
MARIE MAR W. RANCES
Teacher I/ Bulbol Elementary School
Abstract
Developing English oral proficiency remains a critical challenge for elementary learners in rural multigrade settings where mother-tongue interference and instructional limitations intersect. This study investigated the segmental and suprasegmental phonological difficulties, as well as contributing socio-environmental factors, affecting Grade 6 multigrade learners in Rizal District, Kalinga, Philippines, to provide an empirical basis for enhancing language instruction. Utilizing a descriptive quantitative survey design triangulated with unstructured interviews and classroom observations, data were collected from the complete population of Grade 6 multigrade learners (; 65% female, 35% male; 70% primary native language speakers) using validated 5-point Likert-scale questionnaires and statistical mean analyses. Findings revealed that segmental difficulties were most pronounced in vowel production (, Very Serious)—particularly long/short vowel differentiation (/i/ and /o/)—and consonant clusters (, Very Serious), primarily due to L1 transfer and retroflex sound substitutions. In suprasegmental domains, word and phrase stress posed the highest difficulty (, Moderately Serious), while intonation was not problematic (). Affective and environmental barriers were rated very serious (), led by minimal home language encouragement (). The study underscores the imperative for targeted phonological drills, contextualized multigrade speaking interventions, and active parent-school partnerships to foster communicative confidence.
Keywords
Oral proficiency, phonological difficulties, multigrade education, language instruction.
The World Education Connect Multidisciplinary e-Publication is a reputable, refereed, and peer-reviewed international journal. It is dedicated to fostering academic excellence and promoting interdisciplinary research across diverse fields. The journal covers a wide range of topics, including education, psychology, science, technology, social sciences, humanities, and more, providing a platform for scholars and researchers to share their knowledge and insights.
In addition, the publication places a special emphasis on the promotion and development of the Filipino language, contributing to its growth and recognition in the global academic community.
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