Escet Project 1
Escet Project 1
INTRODUCTION
The modern trend in education and the complex nature of learning and instruction have made the
role of the teachers more challenging. This new role does not just involve the more transmission of
information to students but it involves looking at the problems associated with learning and
instruction. The National Policy on Education (NPE, 2004) in Nigeria emphasized that our children
should be educated properly so that they can acquire skills and competencies that would enable
them function well and solve problems in the society. The accomplishment and realization of these
important educational goals in Nigeria lies in the new trend in the educational approaches. These
new approaches to learning and instruction expose the students to conceptualize and effectively
manage their own learning and thus reinforce their learning and transfer their training in practical
situations. Despite the new approach to learning and instruction, English language at the Senior
Secondary School level in Nigeria has been plagued with poor results and low achievements. Annual
results from West African Examinations Council (WAEC) reveal woeful performances from the
students who have made enrolment for English language examinations a yearly ritual. It is
worrisome to note too that the performance of these students has continued to deteriorate year
after year. It is understood that if the situation in English Language remains like this, it will affect
both the economic and technological growth of the state. This is because a good mastery of English
language is mandatory on all students in order to do well in other secondary school subjects.
Students who are handicapped in English language are therefore likely to be handicapped in the
acquisition of skills in arts and technological related subjects. From the foregoing, therefore, we can
conclude that English language is an indispensable language of communication in Kaduna.
This research as stated above concerns itself with the study of strategies for improving low academic
performance in English language by suggesting possible solution to the following questions:
i) What are the attitude/feelings of the students towards the studying of English language?
ii) What account for the decline in performance in the subject (English language)?
iii) Do they have enough material and human resources for the teaching and learning process?
v) Does the Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSCE) syllabus have either a positive or a
negative effect on the student performance?
i) To find out the types of facilities available in the secondary schools for teaching English
language.
iii) To identify the extent to which teachers are motivated to teach English language.
iv) To identify strategies for improving the low academic performance of students in English
language.
i) What type of facilities is available for teaching English language in secondary schools in Kaduna
State
ii) What are the methods of teaching adopted by English Language teachers?
iv) What are the strategies for improving the low academic performance of students in English
Language?
This research work intends to investigate the student achievement in the subject. The research will
be significant in the following ways:
i) The findings of the study will shade light on the nature, contents examination and performance
level of the SSCE examination.
ii) The findings of the study will contribute meaningfully to knowledge of teaching and learning
English language especially with the role of English in the day-to-day communication.
iii) The findings of the students will also benefit Ministry of Education in Kaduna State by recruiting
qualified teachers in order to improve the performance of the students.
The study covers strategies for improving low academic performance in English Language in
Secondary Schools in Kaduna State. Respondents were drawn from selected secondary schools in
Kaduna North Local Government Area.
In any type of research work, are many hindrances that the researcher must come across in the
course of the assignment. The problem encounter in the course of this could be attributed to delays
in gathering the relevant data needed for the research work and uncompromising attitude of the
people to give the required information. Time is another major limitation as far as the research work
in concern. The time needed to implement the work may not be sufficient for logistic reasons.
Financial resources may be lacking in carrying out the required work of the project.1.8 Definition of
Terms
Performance: This relates to the execution carried out or putting into effect the task, job or
operation.
Effectiveness: It is the ability to determine appropriate objectives, that is, the degree at which
School’s goals are met within established resources “doing the right thing.”
Indiscipline: This can be described as a mode of life not in conformation with rule and non-subjection
to contain. The term connotes the regulations capable of obstructing the smooth and orderly
function of the school system.
Reading: Is the process of receiving and interpreting information encoded in language form via the
medium of print.
Writing: Writing is the process by which an author uses his mental ability to put words to paper as
well as the result of that process.
Speech: Expression of or the ability to express thoughts and feelings by articulated sounds.
Mother Tongue: This is the original and first language of an individual which they acquire from their
parents.
L2: This is language two. This is a second that is learnt as a second language in addition to their
mother tongue.
FGN: Acronym for Federal Government of Nigeria.
Curriculum: Curriculum is the subjects comprising a step by step guide of a course of study in a
school.