Exploring the Impact of Vocabulary Strategies, Language Exposure, and Beliefs on Students’ Oral Skills: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Abstract

Aims: To develop a best-fit model for students’ oral skills using structural equation modeling, to understand the intricate relationship between vocabulary learning strategies, language exposure, language learning beliefs, and oral skills of students and to use the resulting model to inform evidence-based practices for improving communication skills in education. Study Design:  The study used Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted among students in the Grade 12 Senior High School in Region 10, Philippines during the school year 2024-2025. Methodology: Stratified random sampling was used to obtain 400 students as respondents. A questionnaire was used to gather data, which was analyzed using mean and standard deviation, Pearson product-moment correlation, and multiple regression analysis to determine the relationship between variables. SEM was used to identify the best-fit model for the oral skills of students. Results: The study revealed that the variables of vocabulary learning strategies and language exposure were obtained at a moderate level, while language learning beliefs and oral skills were obtained at a high level. There were significant relationships between the three variables and oral skills. Two variables were identified as predictors, excluding language exposure. Model 3 emerged as the best-fit model for oral skills, where memory, social, and metacognitive strategies were included in vocabulary learning strategies, friends and home were included in language exposure, and language ability and difficulty in language learning were included in beliefs in language learning Conclusion: This study further demonstrated the significant role of each variable in the oral skills of students. The findings point that linguistic competence, cognitive and social factors are crucial for effective oral communication. Thus, this provides valuable insights for educators and curriculum developers to design programs and activities that enhance students' oral skills and communication effectiveness across diverse contexts.