Abstract
Sociolinguistic competence plays a crucial role in learners’ effective communication within academic and social contexts; however, disparities in language use across learner profiles remain a concern in junior high school settings. In this premise, this descriptive study aimed to determine the level of sociolinguistic competence of junior high school students in a public school in Northern Negros. The study involved 115 junior high school students in a public secondary school characterized by a predominance of female and Grade 7 learners from low-income families with modest parental educational backgrounds and relatively large household sizes. Data were gathered using a researcher-developed sociolinguistic competence questionnaire covering appropriateness of language use, contextual sensitivity, and cultural norms and values. The instrument underwent rigorous content validation by experts and reliability testing, yielding excellent reliability indices. Ethical protocols were strictly observed, including informed consent, voluntary participation, anonymity, and confidentiality of responses. The ensuing results revealed that the overall level of sociolinguistic competence of the respondents was high. All three domains- appropriateness of language use, contextual sensitivity, and cultural norms and values- were likewise rated high, with the highest mean scores reflecting students’ use of formal language with teachers, alignment of language with situational formality, and respect for cultural values. Females, Grade 8 learners, students from smaller families, and those from higher-income households obtained higher mean scores. Meanwhile, significant differences were found only by sex in appropriateness of language use and cultural norms, while no significant differences emerged across other profile variables. 2. These findings call for intentional integration of classroom activities that could foster sociolinguistic competence awareness and enhancement.
Keywords: Sociolinguistic competence, appropriateness of language use, contextual sensitivity, and cultural norms and values, Negros Occidental, Philippines.