ABSTRACT
The study targets the problem of oral expression among students
in some selected junior secondary school in Oredo Local Government Area
of Edo State. some researcher questions were formulated to guide the
direction of the study. A review of related literature was carried out
to find out the views of other writers on the topic studied. Both
teachers and students in the selected schools were involved in the study
with data for the study collected through the administration of
questionnaire to both teachers and students. Their responses were
tabulated and placed side by side related research questions for
analysis and interpretation for a desired result. Lastly, Summary,
findings and conclusion with recommendation were made.
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Problem of the study
1.3 Purpose of the study
1.4 Significance of the study
1.5 Scope of the study
1.6 Limitation of the study
1.7 Operational definition of terms
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Review of related literature
2.1 Poor teacher approaches to lesson
2.2 Sociological factors
2.3 Behaviorism
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Methodology
3.1 Goals of study
3.2 Population
3.3 Class sampled
3.4 Sampling techniques
3.5 Instrumentation
3.6 Method of data collection
3.7 method of data analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
Presentation and analysis of data
CHAPTER FIVE
Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation
5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendations
REFERENCES
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 INTRODUCTION
Nigeria adopts English Language as its official language due to many
reasons. Of course the principal reason cannot be divorced from ethnic
linguistic diversities and the major ethnic languages are Hausa/Fulani
in the North, Ibo in the East and Yoruba in the West. English is the
language of government, institutions and businesses transaction in the
country. It then stands to reason, therefore, that one must have a
thorough grasp of the language in both its spoken and written forms.
Nigeria therefore remains blessed with a language that is meeting her
national aspirations, one that is well advanced and embraced
universally, English language that is on this premise is hinged, the
various governments, local, state and federal attachment of great
importance to the teaching and learning of English language in the
educational institutions of learning.
English language is one of the most powerful literary tools developed
to a tremendous level, vivid and accurate records of our heroes both
living and dead, (Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe etc)
may not have been possible without the use of English language. The
language is powerfully employed in self expression as well as in
literature, essays and letters.
English as a medium of instruction in higher studies and for internal
and external examinations has remained unchanged. English language has
for long been a unifying factor among the numerous language spoken in
Nigeria today and it has done a lot of good. Wole Soyinka won the (1980)
noble prize for literature which is a thing of pride and joy to the
entire black continent. If Wole Soyinka had written all his books in
Yoruba, he certainly would not have won the noble laureate prize. It is
therefore not surprising that much emphasis is placed on the teaching
and learning of English language. English language is used in all
ramification of the nation’s educational system, but the emphasis
notwithstanding, the performances of students in English language is not
encouraging.
1.2 PROBLEM OF THE STUDY
Most students find it difficult to express themselves in some given
situations. This is because they lack the rudimentary knowledge that is
in English language. Elements which are vital for sentence construction
such deficiency includes the ability of the students concerned to
recognize the varying slots in the structure of the English Language.
This problem is more touching and alarming when one considers the
percentage of students who fail the English language in secondary
schools. It is devastating when one discovers that a student’s
linguistic expression of his thought is universally considered as
invaluable communication tool in all his transactions the situation
becomes more poignant when it is considered that a student’s competence
and proficiency in English language expression are always regarded as
valuable assets. Since these will create effective ability in all the
individuals discipline in the school and in the use of English language
itself. Therefore, it is expected that at each level or class in the
school, each student should be able to express his or herself
proficiently in English language both in written and oral work with an
academic performance that is at least related and appropriate to such
level.
It is in regard to improving on the above difficulties that many
writers have stressed the fact of spoken language coming first in the
learning of a language which the mastery of it is carried over to the
written language. Wilkin (1974) said that in recent years it has been
argued on both linguistic and psychological grounds that spoken English
should be the principal objective in the language teaching in the face
of these observations it becomes necessary to find out the factors
affecting the proficient teaching of spoken English, its vocabulary and
that of sentence structure.
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
To find out or discover some of the factors responsible for the poor
performance of students in English language in these schools. There can
be different reasons why researcher undertakes in carrying out certain
studies and this in view that of this study include the following;
To create learning situation in which non-native speakers can gain
proper insight into how a particular language is used for living, social
interaction and communication. It also expresses ones experience in
such a way that it can be made meaningful to others.
Moreover, it is to enable student’s acquire the vital structural
meaning of words over and over, it is to place a strong emphasis upon
the spoken language in record and foreign language teaching. It will
also help teachers to learn the best way of exposing learners to the
skills of English language.
1.4 RESEARCHER QUESTIONS
1. Is there any relationship between teaching approach/methods of
delivery lesson and students performances in English languages?
2. Is there any relationship between social environment and measured performance of students in English language?
3. Does mother tongue interference have any effect on student’s performances in English language?
4. Does student’s attitude to English studies have a bearing on their performances in English language?
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Poor achievement in spoken and written English is generally a problem
in present day schools. The poor standard could be observed in the
students spoken and written English. This is also detectable in daily
interactions and transactions. In the schools English language by the
students in the environment of use is exhibited. This thus, calls for
the urgent need of solutions to the problems and to achieve this, the
problems aforementioned must be identified and solved.
This is where this study becomes significant as it is expected that the findings and recommendations will solve the problem.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This study concentrates on the factors responsible for poor
performance of students in English language, in some selected schools,
Emotan College School I, II, III and Idia College in Oredo, Benin City.
This study covers the teachers and their pupils or students in these
selected secondary schools.
1.7 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS
Non-Challant: This terms means not having, not showing interest in something.
Heroes: This means those who have distinguished themselves in acts of valour and bravery.
Poor Performance: This simply means not doing well academically, that is not good or of a quality that is low or lower than expected.
L1: Mother tongue
L2: Second language