How I learned to speak English: Factors involved in ESL acquisition among Filipinos

• Main Author: Magno, Carlo P.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2009
• Subjects: English language—Study and teaching—Filipino speakers; Second language acquisition; English Language and Literature
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/8184
• Institution: De La Salle University

The present study identifies certain factors reported by college students on how they first learned to speak English. There are several theories that explain how a second language is acquired and the present study looked at specific contextual and psychological factors how on English is produced in the early stage of development. A sample of 42 students were given an open ended survey and were asked to report (1) how old they were when they had the ability to utter English words; (2) how they acquired the English language; and (3) other techniques they employed to learn how to speak English fluently. The results showed the average age that participants acquired the English language is 1.5 years old. English is acquired through the socialization process that occurs with the parents, other family members, media, and school. English is also acquired through self-regulated processes. Other techniques in learning how to speak English fluently are also clustered in the socialization and self-regulation with the addition of language acquisition strategies.