LEVEL OF COMPETENCY IN SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT AMONG 4TH BSEd STUDENTS IN GOV. ALFONSO D. TAN COLLEGE
LEVEL OF COMPETENCY IN SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT AMONG 4TH BSEd STUDENTS IN GOV. ALFONSO D. TAN COLLEGE
LEVEL OF COMPETENCY IN SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT AMONG 4TH BSEd STUDENTS IN GOV. ALFONSO D. TAN COLLEGE
In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Degree
BACHELOR OF SECONDARY EDUCATION
MAJOR IN ENGLISH
October 2019
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Through the support, encouragement, and advice of many individuals, this study has evolved
from an idea into a concrete reality. It is the researchers´ pleasure to thank the following
individuals:
Dr. Aljun Pilonggo, the research instructor, for his full-time encouragement, constant reminders
and support;
Ms. Mahalia Sultan, the researchers´ adviser, for imparting her ideas for the improvement of this
study;
Mr. Danilo Fajardo, the researchers´ editor, for doing his job efficiently;
Mr. Clint Joy Quije, the school statistician, for the statistical help that he extended for this
research;
Mr. Alemar C. Mayordo, the chairperson of the panel, Mr. Junfe V. Pacillos and Ms. Mary
Antonette B. Ricafort, the panel members, for the valuable comments and suggestions that they
To the respondents, for their full-cooperation and participation in answering the questionnaire;
To our beloved parents, guardians, sisters and brothers, for their unconditional love,
And above all, the researchers owe their deepest gratitude to the Almighty Father for His
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
TITLE PAGE i
APPROVAL SHEET ii
ABSTRACT iii
ACKNOWLEDGMENT iv
DEDICATION v
TABLE OF CONTENTS vi
LIST OF FIGURES x
LIST OF APPENDICES xi
Chapter 1 THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE
Background of the Study 1
Conceptual Framework 3
Schematic Diagram 5
Statement of the Problem 6
Significance of the Study 6
Research Methodology 7
Research Design 7
Research Respondents 7
Research Setting 7
Research Instrument 7
Instrument Validity 8
Data Gathering Procedure 8
Statistical Tool Used 8
Scope and Limitations
8
Ethical Consideration 9
Definition of Terms 10
Figure Page
Appendix Page
A Letter of Permission 17
B Questionnaire 18
language where the subject agrees or matches with the verb/s used in the sentence. So if
the subject is singular the verb should be singular to agree with it. For plural subjects,
similarly the plural verbs are generally used considering the number of the subject.
sentences in speech and writing. It is also the basis in identifying teachers’ effectiveness.
application.
subject with its verb (predicate). Similarly, Leech (2006) states that concord (is also
called as agreement), in the most general terms, is a relation between two elements such
that they match one another in terms of some grammatical feature. It means that
agreement is a relation between two elements that should agree with each other. For
instance, the agreement between a subject and verb. According to Mas’ud (2000),
and use English well in written and spoken communication. It will help the reader or the
listener to understand the clear meaning of sentences. However, Thalib (2003), found out
in his study that the students are still confused in applying subject-verb agreement rules
and their lack on knowledge of the said rules is the main factor causing the production of
error. Moreover, Nicolas (2008) found out that English language learners struggle with
subject-verb agreement with regard to complex noun phrases. The study of Marzuki and
Zainal (2004) revealed that the most frequent error was in writing reports and
examination was in subject-verb agreement. It was found out that it has 95.5%
occurrence. Futhermore, Adira et al. (2010) also supported that subject-verb agreement
was one of the common errors in 66 paragraphs of novels that they have analyzed. In fact,
D. Tan College, Tangub City. They said that most of the 4th year BSEd Pre-service
Teachers in A.Y 2019-2020 make lots of grammatical errors while speaking and writing
in English. The most common error among those is the use of subject-verb agreement.
These errors are apparent mostly in their writing, even when they are at the tertiary level
already. The students hardly notice this, especially, the errors they are frequently making
With this, the researchers determined the 4th year Pre-service Teachers
competency in using subject-verb agreement (SVA) were non proficient and were subject
agreement for it is the basic sentence structure that should be mastered by the second
and the verb agree with each other seems easy, it is still one of the most common
mistakes in English (Al Dubib, 2013). It is proven by Marzuki, Zainal et. al. (2004), and
al-dubib in al-dubib’s thesis that the most frequent error was subject-verb agreement.
noun-pronoun agreement and that is agreement between a pronoun and its antecedent in
terms of number, person and gender. Then, he adds that in English, the most important
agreement is subject and verb. Furthermore, in a simple sentence, a verb usually comes
after the subject. It can be a word or phrase which contains a simple form of verb, an
adverb, a modal or an auxiliary. The form of verb must agree with the form of the subject
(Sihombing ,2010).
In addition, Huddleston and Pullum (2005) state that the subject normally
indicates the actor, the person or thing performing the action, while the predicate
describes the action.It is clear that subject-verb agreement is the agreement between
subject and verb. If the subject is singular, the verb is singular and if the subject is plural,
the verb is plural because the meaning of a sentence will be ambiguous without the
One of the elements that students must have the competency in learning English
2002). Subject-verb agreement is one of its materials. Eastwood states that subject-verb
agreement means choosing the correct singular or plural verb after the subject. In
addition, Pyle and Page (2002) stated that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree
in person and number. Furthermore, Lock supports that mastering the functions of subject
and finite from the beginning is important for second language learners. Without such
competency, they are likely to have many problems with basic sentence structure, with
the formation of questions and negatives, and with the marking of tense and of number
agreement. It means that subject-verb agreement is a basic sentence structure that should
Baleghizadeh and Gordani (2012) explain that no matter how well a person
posses brilliance ideas in his of writing, and it will be useless if the writer, in this case is a
student lacking the ability to maintain the clarity and avoid ambiguity due to grammar
The students tend to make errors in writing. According to Sarfraz (2011), the
students are weak in English, especially in writing, commit multiple errors as they have
been inadequately exposed to learning of English. Students are weak in writing English
due to the lack mastery of grammar, especially in terms of subject-verb agreement rules.
Sparks (2006) states that subject-verb agreement is a fancy term for a simple idea.
According to Nayan (2009) many students have problem in subject-verb agreement rules
in writing even though they have been learning English for many years in school.
LEVEL OF
COMPETENCY IN
USING SUBJECT-VERB
PROPOSED
AGREEMENT IN
INTERVENTION
TERMS OF: TRAINING
PROGRAM
1.1 Identifying errors
The study determined the level of competency in identifying errors and applying
Teachers of Gov. Alfonso D. Tan College enrolled in the 1st Semester A.Y. 2019-
2. Based on the result of the study, what enhancement program can be proposed?
Curriculum Makers. This study will give schools a venue for students to be
innovative in their teaching approaches and techniques that will suit to their students’
linguistic need.
The teachers. This study will give teachers the idea on what are the strategies and
The students. This study will be of great help to the students since English
Language is recognized as the universal language. With this study, the researchers will be
agreement (SVA).
Research Methodology
In this section, the researchers formally describe the techniques and procedures
supporting contextual learning with regard to its research design, research setting,
Research Setting. The research was conducted at Gov. Alfonso D. Tan College
in Maloro, Tangub City, Misamis Occidental. Institute of Teacher Education has offered
different programs and these are Bachelor of Secondary Education major in: English,
Education.
subject-verb agreement. Thus, the researchers conducted this study. The respondents of
this study were the 4th year Pre-service Teachers of Gov. Alfonso D. Tan College
(GADTC). The researchers had chosen 20 4th year BSEd Pre-service Teachers as
respondents because they wanted the level of their competence before they were
deployed as intern students, so that the Institute can provide necessary assistance
questionnaire authored by Maria Faye M. Colas, and Jose Laderas Santos (2017). Also, it
made use of a standardized essay scoring rubric designed by Abbas Sallam (2016) for
essay composition.
essay rubric which were presented to the adviser, editor, statistician and the panel
Data Gathering Procedure. The researchers asked permission from the school
and from the instructor to allow them to have the 4 th year BSED Pre-service Teachers as
their respondents. The student-researchers chose three Master Teachers to rate the
respondents’ essay. Once the questionnaire was gathered, the researchers then interpreted
the data.
SCORE INTERPRETATION
61-70 Advanced High
51-60 Advanced Mid
41-50 Advanced Low
31-40 Intermediate
1-30 Novice
SCORE INTERPRETATION
18-20 High Proficiency
13-17 Good Proficiency
8-12 Minimal Proficiency
5-7 None Proficiency
Statistical Tool. In analyzing and interpreting the gathered data, the formula
Percentage = f x100%
n
Limitation
This study was conducted to the 4 th year BSEd Pre-service Teachers of Gov.
Alfonso D. Tan College. As far as the study is concerned, the focus was to find out the
level of competency of the 4th year BSEd Pre-service Teachers in using subject-verb
agreement (SVA). It assessed and determined whether the 4th year BSEd Pre-service
was there a need for an intervention program to make students learn more about the
English language.
Ethical Consideration
The ten principles of ethical consideration by Bell & Bryman (2007) was
complied with in this study. First, the research respondents would not be subjected to
harm in any way. Respect for the respondents’ dignity was prioritized. Full consent was
obtained from the respondents before the study. Protection of the privacy of research
respondents, the adequate level of confidentiality of the research data, and the anonymity
exaggeration about the aims and objectives of the study were avoided. Affiliations in any
forms, source of funding, as well as any possible conflicts of interest were declared.
Lastly, any type of communication in relation to the research was done with honesty and
transparency and any misleading information as well as, presentation of primary data
To further understand the content of the research, the following terms are
operationally defined:
Verb Agreement.
efficiently.
person and number. This means that if the subject is singular, the verb cannot be plural
Verbs. These are words used to describe an action, state, or occurrence, and
Chapter 2
This chapter includes the presentation, analysis and interpretation of data. The table of
Table 1
61 - 70 0 0 Advanced High
51 - 60 1 5% Advanced Mid
41 - 50 0 0 Advanced Low
31 - 40 3 15% Intermediate
1 - 30 16 80% Novice
Total 20 100%
Mean : 23.7 or 24
Novice
Table 1 shows the students level of competency in subject-verb agreement. The tabulated
result reveals that none of the respondents reached the ¨advanced high¨ level with an
equivalent scores of 61-70. However, based on the results obtained, majority of the
students reached the lowest level and was interpreted as ¨novice¨ with the frequency of 16
or 80% of the total respondents with an equivalent scores of 1-30. The result only implies
that BSEd Pre-service Teachers level of competency in subject-verb agreement needs
improvement. According to Thalib (2013), it was found out in his study that the student
are still confused in applying subject-verb agreement rules and their lack of knowledge of
the said rules is the main factor causing the production of error .The same study also
revealed that ESL students were unable to apply the correct use of subject verb agreement
and thus, this showed that they have problems in using subject-verb agreement correctly
Table 2
18 - 20 0 0 High Proficiency
Total 20 100%
Mean: 11.4
Minimal Proficiency
essay writing. The tabulated result reveals that none of the respondents reached the ¨high
proficiency¨ level with an equivalent scores of 18-20. On the contrary, based on the
proficiency¨ with an equivalent scores of 8-12. The result only states that BSEd interns
are minimally proficient in writing an essay. Subject-verb agreement is believed to be
errors indicated that the majority of ESL learners have problems in using and making
Summary of Findings
the study.
BSEd students in Gov. Alfonso D. Tan College was conducted to determine the level of
in this study. An adapted questionnaire and scoring rubrics were used as tools in
among 4th year BSEd Pre-Service Teachers in Gov. Alfonso D. Tan College as to
identifying error was novice with a grand mean of 23.7. For the essay composition, it had
Conclusion
Based on the findings, the researcher concluded that the level of competency
among the respondents in subject-verb agreement was low in terms of identifying errors.
Recommendation
Based on the above mentioned conclusion the following recommendations are hereby
suggested.
Students. The students should build motivation within themselves so that they will learn
Teachers. The teachers must strengthen their strategies and activities in teaching subject-
verb agreement. Also they teacher must know the weaknesses of the students in order to
find ways to help them reach the desired level of competence expected of them in the
teaching field.
Administration. They shall provide more English learning materials that can be used by
students to practice their skills in using subject-verb agreement. The said materials should
Future Researches. The next researchers can use this study as a baseline guide in
AGREEMENT
Rationale:
should be mastered by the second language learners and having learned it is an important
tool as an English Second language (L2) teachers. Pre-Service Teachers of Gov. Alfonso
difficulty will really affect their effectiveness of being a teacher for having a competency
Objectives
subject-verb agreement.
needs.
Key Result
Areas
Objectives Intervention Activities Person
(KPA) Responsible
Letter of Permission
March 5, 2019
LOVE H. FALLORAN
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Ma’am:
In partial fulfillment of the course Educational Research B (Ed. Res 190 B), the
undersigned are the 4th year BSEd-English students of Gov. Alfonso D. Tan College
asking for permission to conduct a research study on “LEVEL OF COMPETENCY IN
SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT AMONG 4TH YEAR BSEd STUDENTS IN GOV.
ALFONSO D. TAN COLLEGE”.
With this, we humbly ask for your permission to allow us to conduct a study to
th
the 4 year BSEd students. We would like to gather data for interpretation and
completion of our research work. Rest assured that the data will be held with utmost
confidentiality.
We are hoping that this request will be granted.
Thank you and God bless.
Noted:
Name (Optional)___________________________________________Date:___/___/___
Directions: Select and encircle the letter of an underlined word or phrase that needs to be
changed to make the sentence correct.
E
7) Since the War on Drugs of the Duterte Administration commenced, the number of
A B C
EKG have dramatically decreased. No error
E
D Secretariesare from Davao City and known to be a trusted ally of the
8) One of the Cabinet
A
President. No error B C
9) Had the teacher knew that the Dean would read every word in the report, he could have
A B C D
been more careful. No error
E
10) One of the employee was suspended due to his frequent absenteeism and tardiness.
A error
No B C D
E Cityis adjudged as the most biggest city in the world based on area. No error
11) Davao
A
12) The members B teamspent their whole
of the C timeyesterday preparing for their
D final E
showdown. No A
error B C D
error A B C D E
15) Let us resolvedto preserve our character because without itwe are nothing. No error
C away. No error
B of the best wayto releaseour stress
A regularly is one
16) Exercising D E
B
17) WhenAwe die, we will just be a memory. C of that? NoDerror
Have we think E
A No error
during the burial. B C D
20) Because we will just beEa memory after we die, we should tried to make good memories
A No error
while we are still alive. B C
26) Monvilcalled me this morning for tell me that he had passed the Civil Service
A B C D
Examination. No error
E
27) I haven’t never seen anybody who rides a horse so well before. No error
B C D E
28) I was soAangry that I took the watch brokento the jewelers to get my money back.
B C D E
No error A
29) The policemanshowed us an identical picture of the man who steal the car. No
A B C D E
error
30) I won’t be able to go on a holiday this year unlessI will get a past-time job. No
B C D E
error A C
31) It was so nice day that we decided to picnic in the field. No error
B C D E
32) PatriciaAloves singing, dancing, and to act in front of the crowd. No error
B C D E
33) You feel like yourAhead is going to burst because every corner in Paris makes for
A B C D
a good picture. No error
E a destinationis not a realistic mindset at all. No error
34) Working toward
B
A mixingis the new way C D E
35) Print to weardots. No error
B C D E
36) TheseAcheerful spots are like a happy pills for your closet. No error
A contrastgive B C D E
37) The the normal-looking street a nice strength. No error
B
A arm of C D E
38) I love an Lorraine Schwurtz bangles because it makes you look young and
A to down play a B
helping dressy look. No error
C D
E
39) The organization exists to empower its members to be leader, be a friend, and be
A B C D
of service. No error
E
40) Hey, its actually okay to eat ice cream while watching a reality show about weight
A error B C D
loss! No
E
41) My mother gone to the market yesterdayto buyme some fresh fruits. No error
B C D E
42) Trust me whenAI tell you you’re going to pass the Civil Service Exam these time.
A B C D E
No error
49) We also saw that those who challenged the status quo died miserably deaths. No
A B C D E
error
50) Crystals is considered by many to be one of the building blocks of life. No error
A B C D E
51) The quartz crystal is one of the most stable crystalline structure in existence, and
B
A transistors, radios, telephones
is widely used in things like and many advanced
C D
electronic systems, such as microchips. No error
E
52) These delicious fruits contain oil, calcium, sulfur, iron, potassium, phosphorous,
A
manganese, B
copper and magnesium, which is all beneficial for health. No error
C D E
53) Guyabano also contains numerous nutrients and vitamins that are health to the body. No
A B C D E
error
54) The stronger your connection to a particular fengshui cure, the more effective this cure
become A
in activating a specific energy for you. No error B C
using as fengshuicures, the coins areEmost often tied together with a red thread. No
55) When D
error A B C D E
56) Their open mind and philosophical view motivate them to wander around the world in
E but keep in mind that the type of apple tree you end up
D apples from seed,
58) You can grow
A
with is different from the seed you plant.BNo error C
D
59) They did not visit their grandmother E
yesterday, didn’t they? No error
A willB not start a schedule, is it?CNo error D
60) The parade E
A first, but
61) The ox arrived B the ratCsneaked E of him and became the first lucky
D on front
animal. NoAerror B C D E
62) Dance is a skillfully choreographed art practice largely by professional few. No error
63) WeAare all hoping that yourBdoing very wellCin your new job. NoDerror E
B me somehow
A advise she give
65) The C calmed
D my nerves. No error E
A
66) The students B
remainedsilence D
duringCthe entire lecture ofEthe terror teacher. No error
B plane was delay dueCto turbulent weather.
67) The arrival of theApassenger D No error E
A B C D E
APPENDIX C
Composing Focuses on central Central idea, Not a focused idea or No clear idea,
ideas with an but not as more than one idea, little or no
organized and evenly sketchy elaboration elaboration, and
elaborated text elaborated and and many digressions many digression
some
digressions
Usage Standard inflections Mostly Some errors with Shifts from one
(e.g., plurals, standard inflections, agreement, tense to another;
possessive, -ed, -ing inflections, and word meaning errors on
with verbs, and --ly agreement, and conventions
with adverbs), word meaning (them/those,
subject-verb good/well, double
agreement, standard negatives, etc.)
word meaning
Total