INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION APPREHENSION AND THE COMMUNICATION SKILLS OF INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES IN A STATE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN NUEVA VIZCAYA

Abstract

The study ascertained the intercultural communication apprehension and communication skills of indigenous communities in a state university of southern Nueva Vizcaya. Specifically, it determined the respondents’ profile, their intercultural communication apprehension, their perceived factors causing this apprehension and their communication skills. The study further ascertained the significant relationship between intercultural communication apprehension and their communication skills. The study made use of descriptive method of research with 118 respondents who were chosen using purposive random sampling. Data were gathered through a questionnaire and were treated using frequency, percentage, weighted mean and correlation procedures. Findings unveil that Kalanguyas comprised the majority of indigenous community in the campus and of female dominance They have moderate intercultural communication apprehension and perceived that certain factors fairly often cause their apprehension while they have moderate level of communication skills. Findings further reveal that intercultural communication apprehension generally relates with their communication skills. Significant findings provide baseline reference  for educational institutions to help and assist students overcome their apprehension and appreciate their cultural distinctiveness. This study therefore provides benchmarking tool for instructional interventions to harness students’ language skills.