SOCIOLINGUISTIC SITUATION IN THE HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT: A DOMAIN-BASED STUDY

Abstract

              This study sociolinguistically examines the situation in the High School Department at Jose Rizal Memorial State University in Dapitan City, the Philippines, with a focus on the performance of speech acts such as refusals, compliments, and apologies in English. Using Oral Discourse Completion Tasks (ODCTs) and closed role plays, the research analyzes how students navigate these speech acts in both formal and informal settings, with an emphasis on politeness strategies and cultural appropriateness. The findings reveal that while students exhibit moderate competence in performing compliments and apologies, they struggle with refusals, particularly in formal contexts where face-saving strategies are required. The study highlights the need for more explicit instruction on sociolinguistic norms in the curriculum, the integration of role plays and context-specific learning materials. By addressing these gaps, the university can better prepare students for real-world communication. The study concludes with recommendations to enhance teaching practices and improve students’ ability to use English as a communication medium appropriately across different social and cultural contexts.