Literary Reading Orientation toward Classic and Contemporary Texts and its Relationship to Language Proficiency and Interpretive Competence among BA English Language Studies Students: A Quantitative Correlational Study

The research explored the association of literary reading orientation to classic and contemporary texts and BAELS students’ language proficiency and interpretive competence at Guimaras State University in the First Semester of Academic Year 2023-2024. Utilizing the quantitative correlational research design, it utilized 50 BAELS students as participants. The data were obtained through a Literary Reading Orientation Questionnaire, a Language Proficiency Test and an Interpretive Competence Assessment. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s product–moment correlation coefficient. Results indicated that the students had moderate to high orientations towards both classical and contemporary literary texts. Results also suggested statistically significant positive correlations between literary reading orientation and language proficiency, and between literary reading orientation and interpretive competence. The research indicates that, by engaging consistently with literary texts (whether classical or contemporary) at tertiary level, students of English accumulate a linguistic and interpretive capital.