MENTAL ABILITY AND LINGUISTIC PERFORMANCE OF THE FRESHMAN COLLEGE STUDENTS: A CORRELATIONAL STUDY

The objective of this study is to determine the degree of relationship between mental ability and linguistic performance of the freshman college of education students of two colleges in Isabela City Basilan Philippines – Basilan State College, and Claret College of Isabela. To treat the data of the study, a descriptive–quantitative method was utilized. This study specifically sought to establish the levels of performance of the freshman college students on mental ability and linguistic skills, namely: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.It also aimed to find out if there existed a significant difference in the levels of performance of these concerned students in each of the linguistic skills tested among schools; and if there existed a significant correlation between their levels of mental ability and linguistic skills. This study was undertaken to provide feedbacks on the abilities of the students from the said colleges in the four linguistic skills and mental ability. 100 freshmen education students enrolled during the Second Semester of Academic Year 2013–2014 in the two existing colleges comprised the respondents of this study. Of the total respondents; 50 were from Basilan State College particularly the College of Education and 50 from Claret College of Isabela from college of education as well.
The method of this study was through the measurement of mental ability. The levels of mental ability was measured through the utilization of a standardized Intelligence Quotient Test composed of 60 test items while the levels of linguistic performance were measured by the use of a readymade test. The Linguistic Performance Test consisted of four components, namely: the Listening Comprehension Test (LCT), the Speaking Skills Test (SST), the Reading Comprehension Test (RCT), and Writing Skills Test (WST). Each test type consisted of 15 items. Both the IQ Test and the Linguistic Performance Test were administered to the 100 freshman college students who acted as the respondents of the study. The data gathered from the two tests, the IQ Test and Linguistic Performance Test, were tabulated, statistically treated and analyzed. The data obtained from the IQ Test was analyzed using the Simon – Binet – Terman's Intelligence Scale System to determine the level of mental ability while the data gathered from the readymade test was analyzed using the Five – Point Scale System to determine the level of linguistic performance among the freshman college students. To interpret the significant difference in four linguistic skills, the independent samples t-test is used. The One–Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was utilized to determine the significant differences in level of performance in four linguistic skills tested between the freshman college students. To find the significant correlation between levels of mental ability and linguistic performance of the respondents, and the Pearson–Product Moment Coefficient (roe) was utilized
On the basis of the research results analysis of the different discussions in this study, the following conclusions were drawn: The Basilan State College freshman have a below average Intelligent Quotient. The Claret College of Isabela has an Intelligent Quotient of Below Average. All the respondents have a general Intelligent Quotient of Below Average. The Basilan State College freshmen had the better performance in overall of the four linguistic skills tested as “Very Satisfactory”. This showed that these concerned students were well taught. However, there is still more for improvement to have an outstanding performance in all the skills tested. The Claret College of Isabela freshmen have a satisfactory performance in overall of the four linguistic skills tested. They need re – teaching and exposure to more exercises and drills. All the respondents performed best in reading and poorest in speaking. There is a significant difference in the levels of performance of the freshman college students in each of the linguistic skills tested. There is a significant difference in the levels of performance in the four linguistic skills tested between schools. There is a significant correlation between levels of mental ability and linguistic performance of the freshman of Basilan State College and Claret College of Isabela. The IQ Test on Mental Ability could be a predictor in the success or failure in learning English and English–related subjects. In addition, since Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and Linguistic Performance of these concerned students are on Below Average, measures should be adopted to develop and improve their performance in English.