From Shy to Shine: Enhancing Student Participation in Filipino Lessons Through Positive Reinforcement Strategy

Developing student engagement is a foundation of effective language instruction, particularly in subjects like Filipino that carry significant cultural and national relevance. However, many learners remain disengaged during Filipino lessons due to factors such as fear of making mistakes, lack of confidence, or unfamiliarity with the language. This study aimed to enhance student participation in Filipino lessons through a positive reinforcement strategy utilizing a single-group pretest-posttest design. Forty students from one of the secondary schools in Ozamiz City during the academic year 2024-2025 were selected using purposive sampling. Rubric assessments and checklist observations were used to collect the data, and statistical methods, including mean, standard deviation, and t-tests, were used for analysis. Findings revealed a significant improvement in both student performance and participation following the implementation of positive reinforcement strategies. The results support the notion that praise, rewards, and consistent encouragement can effectively enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. This study contributes to the growing need for student-centered strategies in language education, highlighting the importance of teacher-driven approaches in fostering a supportive classroom environment. The findings also suggest potential applications of positive reinforcement across various learning contexts to boost learner motivation and academic achievement. Index Terms— Academic Performance, Education, Positive Reinforcement Strategy, Stimulus and Response, Student Participation