PROBLEMS FACING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN SELECTED PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN ALIMOSHO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF LAGOS STATE
ABSTRACT
This project work critically examines the problems facing the teaching and learning of the English language in Nigeria primary schools with reference to some selected primary schools in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos state. Questionnaires and oral interview were used as research instruments in gathering relevant information from both the teachers and the pupils of these selected primary schools. Our findings shows that motivation, qualities of teachers, mother tongue interference, societal attitude and publication of ill equipped English language textbooks are among the factors responsible for ineffective of teaching and learning of English language in Nigerian primary schools and we proffer the following solutions: Government should produce competent teachers in English language whose personalities will motivate pupils towards learning of English language, teachers should possess communicative competence in English language before applying for teaching in Nigeria primary schools, parents should communicate with their children with English at home. School Administrators should make provision for well equipped language laboratory to develop pupil’s language skills. Finally pupils should try as much as possible to use Standard English during communication instead of pidgin.
TABLE OF CONTENT
CONTENTS PAGES
Title Page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Abstract vi
Table of content vii
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Background to the Study 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem 3
1.3 Purpose of the Study 5
1.4 Research Questions 5
1.5 Significant of the Study 6
1.6 Scope and Delimitation of the Study 6
- Definition of Term 7
CHAPTER TWO: Literature Review
- Introduction 9
2.1 History of English Language in Nigeria 9
2.2 Roles and Scope of English in Nigeria 13
2.3 The Concepts of Teaching and Learning 20
2.4 Factors Promoting and Affecting Teaching Schools 24
2.5 Factors Militating Against Effective Teaching and Learning of English Language in Nigerian Schools. 34
2.6 Teachers Roles in Ensuring Effective Teaching and Learning of English Language in Schools. 38
CHAPTER THREE; Research Methodology
3.1 Research Design 41
3.2 Population of the Study 41
3.3 Sample and Sampling Techniques 42
3.4 Research Instruments 42
3.5 Validity and Reliability of the Instruments 43
3.6 Administration of the Instrument 43
3.7 Procedure for Data Collection 43
3.8 Data Analysis 44
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Data Analysis and Interpretation 46
- Presentation Of Data 47
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Summary 61
Conclusion 62
Recommendations 63
References 66
Appendix 68
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Change, “inexorable change, is one of the key features of human existence in the world (Fasina 2004). Changes continue to in manifest gradually in every aspect of our lives yielding to us in spite of ourselves, a new world in which as if in obedience to the Biblical prophecy “old things are passed away and all things are becoming new” with the present state of the world scientifically and technology, the emerging new world is increasingly becoming a global village. A global village in the sense that according to Jolayemi (2002) “time and space are being compressed courtesy of information technology”.
In our new global village, events “in one country can very rapidly affect the social, political and economic structures of its neighboring countries and of other remote countries” (Mansaray and Amosu, (2002) in our new world, “familiar certainties and old ways of doing things are disappearing” (Hannan 2002). Even, universally recognized language for scientific and technological advancement is also changing. Now, “English language has overtaken French as the language of science and documentation” (Ogunsanya (2007). Therefore, a world that is becoming increasingly depend on technology has now come to rely on the use of English language. As a corollary of this development in order not to be left behind in the inexorable march into the future scientifically and technologically, learning of English language is urgently imperative.
The concept of globalization which underscores the interconnectedness “between people on a planter sensitivity to the challenges of comprehending the global dimension of events in the new world. Nigeria as one of the developing nations therefore needs to re-examine its in order to properly equip Nigerians for the enjoyment of the benefits of trans-world connectivity.
In this research work efforts shall be made to critically examine the challenges contributing language in Nigeria primary schools, thereby leading to the pupils communicative incompetence the English language.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The teaching and learning of English in Nigeria primary schools does not need not to be static. Rather, it should be elastic and responsive to changes brought about in our increasingly globalized world. According to Mousaray and Amosun (2002:9), “societal values and goals, the nature of knowledge and of learning among others are all factors that are undergoing rapid change, especially in the era of globalization”. English language studies in Nigeria primary schools need to respond to these changes.
However, the challenges impeding the teaching and learning of English language in Nigeria primary schools from being responsible to the changes brought about in our increasingly globalized world are stated below:
- Inadequacy of teachers who are linguistically endowed with communication competence in English language.
- Inadequate supply of motivational factors to enhance improved qualities. These motivational factors encompass: well equipped language laboratories, access to computer and internet facilities, organization of quiz and debate with encouraging and profitable rewards.
- Pupils’ lackadaisical attitude towards constant utilization of English language in their daily conversation.
- Insufficient periods allocated by school owners and teachers for the teaching and learning of English language.
- Consultation of ill-equipped English language textbooks and other relevant teaching aids used majorly in English language department.
- Negative influence of the language spoken in the pupils vicinities for instance, teaching and learning of English language become laboratories for the pupils who emerge for the society where pidgin, broken English, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo etc. is predominant are majorly spoken. This immensely debars then from acquiring Standard English easily.
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The purposes of this study are two folds as highlighted below:
- To bring into the limelight the various problems facing the teaching and learning of English language in primary schools.
- To help in bringing solutions to the identified problems facing the teaching and learning of English language in primary school.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
- Is there any significant relationship between teacher’s communicative competence and the pupil’s performance in English language?
- Is there any significant relationship between pupil’s attitudes to the teaching and learning of English language and acquisition of communicative competence in English language?
- Is there any significant relationship between pupil’s ability to acquire communication competence in English language and the societal view towards the teaching and learning of English language?
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The findings of this study will help primary school owners and teachers to fully understand the major reasons behind ineffective teaching and learning of English language in primary schools. It will also equip them with basic tools in combating the identifiable problems finally. It will also serve as a federal for other researchers who are longing to conduct similar investigation.
1.6 SCOPE AND DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The scope of the study in limited to two (2) selected primary schools in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State in different communities based on the problems and factor responsible for ineffective teaching and learning of English language.
Twenty five (25) questionnaire were given to each of the two (2) selected primary schools in Alimosho Local Government making it a total of fifty (50) questionnaires. The schools are
- P&K private school, Alimosho Local Government
- Anglican primary school, Alimosho Local Government
The assumption is that respondents to questionnaire would hereby and accurately and answer the survey questionnaire, create limitation in the sense that most of the primary school pupils could not express their feelings concerning their back wardress in English language. Reasons to student and by so doing submit them to our evaluation, guidance, direction encouragement of the learners to fully participate in sharing the experiences and integrating if for their development.
- DEFINITION OF TERM
Motivation Factors: These are the factors that drives us to perform an action.
According to Gareth Jones, Jeniffer George and Charles Hill (2000) define motivation as “psychological focus that determine the direction of persons behaviour, a person level of efforts, and a person level of persistence in the face of obstacles”.
David Meyers (1996) defines motivational as “a need or desire that severs to energize behaviour and direct it towards a goal”.
Frank Hawkins (1993) defines it as what drives or induces a person to behave in a particular fashion, the internal force which initiates, directs, sustains and terminates all important activities.
Negative influence: A power affecting a person thing, or course of event, especially one that operates without any direct or apparent effort.
Insufficient Period: This is inadequate of time that meant to be used by the teacher to teach the learners.
English language: According to the Oxford Advance Learner Dictionary “English language is the mother tongue of the citizen of United Kingdom (U.K) United State of America (USA), Canada, Australia, New Zealand etc. According to Ogunsanya (2007), “English Language is the official language of many of the nation in the common wealth of nation”. This obviously depicts that in these countries, all official transactions educations, science and technology are conducted in English language.
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