International Journal of Language & Linguistics

A Structural Equation Model on the Grammatical Competence of College Students
Jerlyn G. Balones, PhD; Gloria P.Gempes, EdD, DM, PhD

Abstract
The study explored the students’ language attitude, language learning strategies, and language exposure in relation to their grammatical competence. Likewise, it also probed the correlation and the combined and singular influence of the variables. Lastly, this study identified the best fit model for grammatical competence. By means of quantitative-causal method, there were 400 respondents identified through proportional percentage sampling. Product-Moment correlation and multiple-linear regression were used to analyze the correlation and regression analysis. Also, the use of SEM strengthened the integrity and rigor of the research because the analysis goes through the steps of model specification, model estimation, and model evaluation. Results revealed that the level of Students’ Study Attitude and language learning strategy areHigh;the level of Students’ Language Exposure is Moderate; the level of Students’ Grammatical Competence is High; there is a significant relationship among Attitude, Language Learning Strategy, and Exposure to Grammatical Competence; there is a combined influence among Attitude, Language Learning Strategy, and Exposure to Grammatical Competence. But there is no singular influence among the variables. The best fit model indicates that the grammatical competence is strongly influenced with Language Learning Strategy and Language Exposure.

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