THE CAUSES OF POOR PERFORMANCE IN J.S.S.C. ENGLISH LANGUAGE EXAMINATIONS (A CASE STUDY OF SOME SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ALIMOSHO LOCAL GOVERNMENT)
ABSTRACT
This research work deals with the causes of poor performance of students in J.S.S.C. English Language Examinations. It lists out some causes and their efforts on the performance of J.S.S. students. It goes further to offer suggested solutions. It looks further at the method of gathering information on the research work, analysis of the data collected on the work and the final conclusion and recommendation to solving the problems facing learning of English language in the J.S.S class.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Title Page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Abstract vi
Table of Content vii
CHAPTER ONE
- Introduction 1
1.2 Background to the Study 3
1.3 Statement of Problem 6
1.4 Purpose of the Study 7
1.5 Scope of the Study 9
1.6 Limitation of the Study 10
1.7 Aims and Objectives of the Study 10
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Review of Literature 14
2.1 Factor Affecting Teaching–Learning of
English Language at J.S.S Levels 23
2.2 Causes of Poor Performance of J.S.S
Students in English Language 24
- Attitudes of Students Towards
English Language. 27
- Attitude of Teachers Towards
English Language. 30
2.5 Learning Environment 38
2.6 Laboratory Equipment/Instruction Materials 40
2.7 Poor Family Background 42
CHAPTER THREE
- Methodology 47
3.1 Research Method 47
- Population 47
- Sample 48
- Student Questionnaire 49
- Instrumentation Construction and Administration 50
- Method of Data Analysis 51
CHAPTER FOUR
- Analysis of Data 53
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation 71
5.1 Summary 74
5.2 Conclusion 75
5.3 Recommendation 76
References 79
Appendix 81
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 INTRODUCTION
In Nigeria today, English Language is regarded as the language of instruction, communication, education commerce and politics. It is therefore evident that, the great need to improve on the study of English language as a second language by the students cannot be overemphasized. Most students particularly in our junior secondary school classes are very weak and have nonchalant attitudes towards the study of English language and this subsequently affects their good performances in other language skills such as hearing, listening and writing English Language as a second language (L2).
English Language became the second language in Nigeria at the colonization of Nigerians by the British. With English as a second Language (ESL), everybody, especially the students in schools, those who seek public post, e.t.c have to learn English. It becomes necessary for the people to have a good command of the language in terms of lexis and structure and the actual pronunciation of English words.
As children began to attend school and as they graduated from one class to another, the reality of the importance of learning English as a second language began to be felt to the extent that they do not only need to learn English in the school as second language, but also as a means of communication between students and teachers. In the student’s desperate attempt to do well in English and be able to use English effectively some factors either consciously or unconsciously facilitate and neglect these students’ efforts and abilities.
Some of these factors are the ones this work will be researching into.
1.2 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Language is a medium of communication; it is the meaningful communication of a message to a receiver. There are a lot of languages spoken throughout the world and English is one of them.
English language is the language of the English (1150–1450) and modern English (1450 – percent). It is the most widely used language in the world either as mother tongue or second language. It is the mother tongue for more than three million people. It is the main commercial language for no fewer than 1,200 million people (Kolawole, 2000).
This emphasizes how important English language is in our world. In our day to day report, millions of people around the world use English either at work or during leisure. English is often the only language that links together people from different countries when they meet. It is the official language of various international organizations.
The imperative nature of English language is a unifying force in a highly populated nation like Nigeria, where there are over 450 ethnic groups that have their own languages, cannot be underestimated. English language has been made our official and business language and that it has gone a long way to grossly reduce these problems of cultural diversity that has militated against our national unity. English is essential not only for educational instruction but also for business, political and economic purposes both nationally and internationally.
The speaking of English language has been a big problem to Nigeria and individual citizens of these nations. It has made it very difficult for a lot of people to interact through the use of English. Some do it with a lot of construction of grammar and some with the interference of another tongue (L1). It is quite important to note that the poor use of English language will go a long way to dent out image both nationally and globally since the youths of today are the leaders of tomorrow and if our children in the secondary schools later qualify in their fields, it becomes absolutely problematic for them to practice effectively since they will need English in their operations and business interactions.
For this reason, English language has been made a compulsory subject to be passed at Junior Secondary School level as it is the Nigerian official language. Moreover, it is more compulsory as it is the main commercial language in the country and even the most compulsory as it is the second most popularly spoken language in the world.
Unfortunately, its necessity does not approximate to the level or rate at which J.S.S students pass it. Does this mean the subject is too complicated to understand or the teachers are not merely good enough?
These questions and other more are the burden of concern that incites the researcher into carrying out this research.
1.3 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
The study will base its findings on the causes of mass failure in English language in Junior Secondary School Certificate examination (J.S.S.C.E). The researcher will also focus attention on the areas such as:
(i) How unserioussness of students affects their performance in J.S.S.C.E examination?
(ii) How inadequacy, insufficiency or non-availability of language laboratory and/or equipment result in mass failure of J.S.S Students in English?
(iii) The methods or techniques adopted by some teachers in teaching English language, as it contributes to mass failure in English language in J.S.S.C.E
(iv) How does qualification of teachers influence the performance of J.S.S students in English language in J.S.S.C.E?
(v) The effect of family background on J.S.S students’ performance in English language.
1.4 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The basic objective of this study is to carry out an investigation into the causes of mass failure of students in English language J.S.S.C.E and the specified objectives are stated in the following paragraphs.
Firstly, it is to find out how the unseriousness of students causes mass failure in English language J.S.S.C.E.
Secondly, is to ascertain the problems encountered by some teachers in the teaching of English language Junior Secondary School level.
Thirdly, is to discover the extent to which inadequacy of laboratory equipment causes mass failure in English language J.S.S.C.E.
Also, to determine how the attitude of some teachers in teaching English language contribute to the mass failure of students in English language J.S.S.C.E examinations.
Lastly, to offer suggestions and likely solutions on how the performance of J.S.S students in English language can improve.
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This research focuses attention on the causes of mass failure in J.S.S.C.E English language examinations, but due to time factor and financial constrain, the researcher will limit the finding to the following areas:
- The unserioussness of J.S.S students towards English language;
- Method used by the same teachers in teaching English language;
- The inadequacy of laboratory equipments used in teaching English language;
- Effects of unqualified teachers teaching in our junior secondary schools, on the performance of their students; and
- The effect of family background on the performance of J.S.S students in English language.
1.6 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The researcher would have extended the study to other schools but for time constrains, it would be limited to the above suggested areas (those listed under scope of the study).
1.7 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The aim of this study is to examine the causes of mass failure of students in J.S.S.C.E English language examinations. The result of this research will be interest to the school who are continuously searching for techniques to improve the over all performance of students in English language J.S.S.C.E examinations.
It is also believed that the result of this study will be of interest to parents, guardians, students, and teachers and to the schools as a whole because of the emphasis being placed on the use of English language in the country.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The research would be based on the following:
- Will students’ unserioussness result in their failure in English language of J.S.S.C.E examinations?
- Can non-availability/inadequacy of laboratory equipment cause mass failure in English language J.S.S.C.E examinations?
- Can attitude of English language teachers cause mass failure in English language J.S.S.C.E examinations?
- Will the employment of unqualified teachers causes mass failure in English language J.S.S.C.E examinations?
- Will poor family background result in mass failure in J.S.S.C.E English language?
RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
This research finding would be based on the following assumptions:
- The mass failure of students in JSSCE English language examinations is not caused by unserioussness of the students.
- Non-availability or inadequacy of laboratory equipment in our laboratories would not cause mass failure in English language JSSCE examinations.
- Mass failure of students in English language JSSCE examination is not caused by attitudes of the English language teachers.
- Mass failure of students in English language JSSCE examination is not caused by unqualified teachers handling the subjects in our schools.
- Poor family background of the students does not have any influence on the students’ performance in English language JSSCE examinations.
Are You In Need Of Help? Call us or Whatsapp us @ (+234) 08093239919, or Via Email: [email protected]
Disclaimer: The copyright owner created this PDF Content to serve as a RESEARCH GUIDE for students to conduct academic research.
The original PDF Research Material Guide that you receive can be used in the following ways.
1. To provide additional information about the topic of the project.
2. You can use them as a resource for your research (if you properly reference them).
3. Proper paraphrasing is required (consult your school’s definition of plagiarism and acceptable paraphrase).
4. If properly referenced, direct citation.
We are grateful for your consideration of the copyright of the authors.Thank you so much for respecting the authors copyright.
Are You in Need of Help? Call us or Whatsapp us @ (+234) 08093239919 or Via Email: [email protected]
Be the first to comment