Abstract
English language proficiency remains a persistent challenge among learners, highlighting the need to identify factors that influence students’ success. The present research examines the predictors of English language proficiency among 73 first-year Bachelor of Arts in English Language (BAEL) students in Cebu Technological University-Moalboal Campus in the academic year 2024-2025 through Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). A descriptive analysis and a quantitative research design were used. A standardized test measured students’ proficiency levels, while an adapted questionnaire gathered data on potential determinants from both students and teachers. Judgmental sampling was used to select 10 expert teachers and 20 high-performing students to compare the relative importance of each determinant by using the AHP approach. The results showed that the student respondents obtained proficient levels in grammar, vocabulary and reading comprehension. Among the students’ determinants, learning strategies found to be very influential, with low influence on linguistic distance, beliefs about language learning, motivation, and learning environment. For teacher determinants, adaptability and flexibility were highly evident and practiced, while instruction-based teaching was found to have minimal influence. Results from the AHP further confirmed that teaching style—particularly adaptability and flexibility—holds the greatest importance in shaping English language proficiency. The research concludes that teaching-related variables, responsive and student-focused instructions, are important in improving the proficiency of students. It suggests that an action plan should be implemented focusing on less potent factors. Schools are advised to organize systematic workshops with interactive and reflective exercises to enhance language proficiency.
Keywords: English Language, Determinants of English Proficiency, Quantitative Method,
Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Moalboal, Cebu.
https://doi.org/10.65494/pinagpalapublishing.265
