Author

Zaldy H. Bacus*
Cebu Technological University-Main Campus, Cebu City, Philippines

Abstract

Small Group Discussion (SGD) is a learner-centered instructional method where Grade 11 students are organized into groups of two to six members to interactively explore Oral Communication competencies. In this study, it serves as the primary intervention to reduce speech anxiety and enhance verbal proficiency. This quasi-experimental study evaluated the effectiveness of the Small Group Discussion (SGD) instructional method in enhancing the academic performance and communicative proficiency of Grade 11 Senior High School students in Oral Communication in Context during School Year 2025–2026. Employing a one-group pretest–posttest design with 40 purposively sampled learners organized into small collaborative teams (2–6 members), the investigation assessed performance across three core DepEd competencies: explaining communication processes, applying breakdown repair strategies, and identifying speech contexts. Baseline pretest results indicated foundational performance, with competency means ranging from 4.33 to 5.00 (Fairly Satisfactory to Satisfactory). Following the SGD intervention, posttest assessments demonstrated substantial learning gains, with mean scores rising to 7.18–7.95 (Very Satisfactory). Paired-samples t-tests confirmed statistically significant improvements across all targeted competencies (p<0.001), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis (H0). The highest mean gain (+2.95) was recorded in strategic competence (using strategies to avoid communication breakdown). An assessment of implementation concerns yielded an overall weighted mean of 2.88 (Often). The most prominent operational challenges identified were linguistic barriers during transitions from the local dialect to the target language (WM = 3.35), restricted instructional class time (WM = 3.33), social anxiety during peer interactions (WM = 3.28), and a lack of explicit pre-discussion guidance (WM = 3.15). The study concludes that Small Group Discussion is a robust, learner-centered intervention that significantly strengthens students’ communicative competence and conceptual mastery. However, maximizing its pedagogical impact requires proactive teacher mediation, structured participation rubrics, and time-management scaffolding. Based on these findings, a strategic communication simulation matrix and an enhanced learning activity framework were developed for seamless curriculum integration.

Keywords:  Small Group Discussion (SGD), Oral Communication in Context, communicative competence, communication breakdown, speech context, Senior High School, instructional strategy.

*Corresponding author / Email: zaldy.bacus@deped.gov.ph
DOI: http://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS05041650

Recommended citation:
Bacus, Z. H. (2026). Small group discussion (SGD): A method of instruction in teaching oral communication in the senior high school. Pantao (International Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences) 5 (4), 1123-1137. http://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS05041650

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