Examination of Mastery in English Language as a Basis of Students Academic Achievement

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

   Background to the Study

Various studies on proficiency have been conducted worldwide, not simply in the educational sector. What sets this study apart is the researcher’s willingness to conduct an in-depth investigation of secondary school students’ English proficiency and its impact on their academic performance in Adamawa State. In Africa, Orgunsij & O (2009) claim that the English language plays a critical role as the only medium of teaching in Nigeria’s primary and secondary schools. It is critical to understand that children gain knowledge of numerous educational topics at various levels, which can only be accomplished via the usage of English. That is to say, how well pupils do in school is largely determined by their degree of English ability.

According to Answers.com, English is an official language in twenty-two African nations. However, there are certain African nations where English is spoken as a primary language but not as an official language (EFL). Wikipedia articles to read English as a Foreign Language (EFL) (English as an Official language) Nigeria was rated 31st in the English Competency Index 2017 rankings, with a score of 54.74 percent in the moderate proficiency band. This demonstrates that the Nigerian educational system need significant improvement. The nation has a mixed population of elderly and young people, and if the latter are not adequately taught the complexities and laws of the English language, she will fail. According to (Ogunsiji and Olanrewaju, 2002), the English language is the language without which Nigeria would not exist. This means that Nigeria would be unable to survive without the usage of English. However, since Nigeria became a ‘entity,’ there have been several losses in students’ English ability, not just at the university level, but also at lower levels of education such as elementary and secondary schools.

Because English is the language of instruction in Nigerian educational institutions, it is a mandatory topic not only for the Arts but also for the Sciences, and it has an impact on all other courses if not learned. It is not just a means of communication, but also a requirement for every secondary school student to pass any termly test, let alone get entrance to higher education institutions to study courses such as Theatre Arts, Law, Mass Communication, Linguistics, and other art-related subjects. It’s unfortunate to say, but learning instruction cannot be handed on if the teacher does not speak English well. Many public and government-owned secondary schools, as well as tragically, government-approved private institutions, are plagued with English Department instructors who are unable to speak and build proper English when teaching and even while writing. Without doubt, untrained instructors in this discipline thrive in the educational sector. They are hired to teach English, but the situation is reversed. Instead of learning proper grammar from their instructors, pupils take up grammatical flaws and have difficulty distinguishing between excellent and poor English. If secondary school pupils are not altered, they will continue to struggle to produce basic and complicated sentences today and in the future.

Learning English, as a researcher, has been noted to be more than only speaking or general communication in terms of commerce, religion, and other topics. The general public’s mindset has reduced to “Go to school so you can learn English.” That is, the youngster or adolescent can comprehend and speak (however briefly) in English when spoken to. During the process of learning, a student’s capacity to use English to produce and express meaning vocally and in writing is referred to as English mastery. Proficiency in English can be defined as an English language learner’s ability to communicate information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success in English. Proficiency in English can be defined as an English language learner’s ability to communicate information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success in English (Driscoll A.D, 2003).

According to Igbinosa and Odion (2014), academic achievement is the result of a learning effort that is stated and signaled by a test that determines whether a learner has passed or failed. Academic performance, according to Jansen&Jane (2004), is the process of developing a student’s skills and potentials in order to prepare that student to succeed in a certain society or culture. That is to say, if a student’s academic performance is weak, he or she will not succeed. According to Daller and Phelan (2013), English language competence is a crucial element in academic performance for normative speakers. Language is the most important factor that influences a student’s performance out of all the factors that influence their performance (Haydar and Uyar, 2011).

Because English is the primary official medium of instruction in all secondary schools in Adamawa State, and Nigeria in general, this study focuses on these students’ inability to communicate in English, whether in speaking, writing, or reading, and how this affects their academic performance in the long run. Poor academic performance in secondary school is a result of the student’s English proficiency, the instructors, the school, the family, and the environment, among other factors. While instructors have an important impact, pupils’ English competence accounts for a big amount of the equation.

Mastery of English is crucial, and it is considered by many experts to be one of the defining elements of academic success. This topic tackles the issue on whether english Mastery in students are academically successful, how proficiency in english can be useful in their academics as a whole, what makes and does not make students proficient and so on.

 Statement of the Problem

Many individuals, including academics, have emphasized that English proficiency is a criterion for a secondary school student’s academic achievement. Many of the norms and concepts that govern topics such as math, literature, and Christian religious studies, among others, are based on the use of English (Driscoll A.D, 2003). Students with poor English language abilities will be unable to explain themselves, which will affect their performance on written exams and examinations. The lack of English competence in many courses among secondary school pupils throughout the nation, and specifically in Adamawa state, seems to be mostly due to certain issues such as subject instructors’ ineffectiveness.

Lack of motivation on the kids’ behalf.

Factors related to the environment (class size) and the government (curriculum).

Having trouble understanding what you’re reading.

The home factor is included.

Some studies have recorded results on the importance of English proficiency not just among secondary school students, but also among instructors who are responsible for instilling good information in pupils and serving as role models in various Nigerian educational institutions. Based on the above listed factors, the researcher seeks to carry out research on the Proficiency in english being a determinant in Secondary school student’s academic performance.

 Objectives of the study

The general objective of this study is to examination of mastery in english language as a basis of students academic achievement. Specific objectives are as follows

i.          To examine if mastery in english language affects students academic performance.

ii.        To find out the effect of teachers qualification on students mastery of english language.

iii.      To evaluate the challenges of student in the mastery of english language.

iv.      To recommend ways students mastery of english language can be improved in other for students academic performance.

 Research Questions

To this course, the following research questions serve as a path engulfing this study;

i.          Does  mastery in english language affects students academic performance?

ii.        What are the effect of teachers qualification on students mastery of english language?

iii.      What are  the challenges of student in the mastery of english language?

iv.      What are the recommended ways students mastery of english language can be improved in other for students academic performance?

 Significance of the Study

This study is of great importance because its outcome/results would help pin point the correlation between mastery in english language as a basis of students academic achievement. As far as the findings of various factors that may affect the academic performance of students have been recognized in this study. On the long run, mastery in english is considered one of the prominent factors. Throughout this study, it will be established that mastery in english is a direct link to the performance of students in secondary schools. If english as stated is proven as a determining factor, then issues of poor teaching skills in handling english language as a subject should be effectively looked into. This study would help in tackling issues pertaining to students overall performance in secondary schools, mapping out strategies to guide teaching curriculum which will in turn be of great aid to students guardians/parents including teachers.

This study will be significant to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature.

   Scope of the study

The study will examine if mastery in english language affects students academic performance. The study will also find out the effect of teachers qualification on students mastery of english language. The study will further evaluate the challenges of student in the mastery of english language. Lastly, the study will recommend ways students mastery of english language can be improved in other for students academic performance. Hence this study will be delimited to Adamawa state.

    Limitation of the study

Just like any other research, unavailability of needed accurate materials on the topic under study, and inability to get data were among the constraints the researcher encountered in the cause of this study. Financial constraint was equally faced by  the researcher, in getting relevant materials  and  in printing and collation of questionnaires. Furthermore, time factor pose another constraint because the researcher have to shuttle between writing of the research and engaging in other academic work which made it uneasy for the researcher.

 Definition of terms

Proficiency: Proficiency is the ability an individual has in doing something.

English language: The language originated in England which is now spoken in all parts of the British Isles, the Commonwealth of Nations, North America, and other parts of the world. It is one’s ability use the English language correctly.

Academic achievement : This ascertains how well a student does in their academics. A learner’s capacity to perform successfully in their studies.