EXAMINATION OF MASTRY IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE AS A BASIS OF STUDENTS ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

EXAMINATION OF MASTRY IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE AS A BASIS OF STUDENTS ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   Background to the Study

Several studies on proficiency have been conducted around the world, not just in the educational sector. 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 distinguishes this study. According to Orgunsij and O (2009), the English language is critical in Africa because it is the only medium of instruction in Nigeria’s primary and secondary schools. It is critical to recognize that children learn a wide range of educational topics at various levels, which can only be accomplished through the use of English. That is, how well students perform in school is largely determined by their level of English proficiency.

English is an official language in twenty-two countries, according to Answers.com. African countries. However, in some African countries, English is spoken as a first language but not as an official language (EFL). English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Wikipedia articles (English as an Official language) The English Competency Index 2017 ranked Nigeria 31st, with a score of 54.74 percent in the moderate proficiency band. This demonstrates that the educational system in Nigeria requires significant improvement. The country has a mixed population of elderly and young people, and she will fail if the latter are not adequately taught the complexities and laws of the English language. The English language, according to (Ogunsiji and Olanrewaju, 2002), is the language without which Nigeria would not exist. This means Nigeria would be unable to

to survive without the usage of English. However, since Nigeria became a “entity,” there has been a significant decline in students’ English ability, not only 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 required topic not only for the Arts but also for the Sciences, and failure to learn it has ramifications for all other courses. It is not only a means of communication, but it is also a requirement for any secondary school student to pass any termly test, let alone gain admission to higher education institutions to study courses like Theatre Arts, Law, Mass Communication, Linguistics, and other art-related subjects. It’s

Unfortunately, learning instruction cannot be transmitted if the teacher does not speak English fluently. Many public and government-owned secondary schools, as well as, sadly, government-approved private institutions, are plagued by English Department instructors who are unable to speak and build proper English while teaching and even writing. Untrained instructors in this discipline thrive in the educational sector without a doubt. They are hired to teach English, but the tables are turned. Instead of learning proper grammar from their teachers, students pick up grammatical flaws and struggle to distinguish between excellent and poor English. If secondary school students are not changed, they will continue to struggle to produce simple and complex sentences in the future.

As a researcher, I am learning English. In terms of commerce, religion, and other topics, it has been observed to be more than just speaking or general communication. The general public’s mindset has been reduced to “Go to school to learn English.” That is, when spoken to, the child or adolescent can understand and speak (albeit briefly) in English. English mastery refers to a student’s ability to use English to produce and express meaning verbally and in writing during the learning process. English proficiency is defined as the ability of an English language learner to communicate information, ideas, and concepts required for academic success in English. English proficiency is defined as an English language learner’s ability to communicate information, ideas, and concepts required for academic success.

English (Driscoll A.D, 2003). (Driscoll A.D, 2003).

Academic achievement, according to Igbinosa and Odion (2014), is the result of a learning effort that is stated and signaled by a test that determines whether a learner has passed or failed. According to Jansen and Jane (2004), academic performance is the process of developing a student’s skills and potentials in order to prepare that student to succeed in a specific society or culture. That is, if a student’s academic performance is poor, he or she will fail. According to Daller and Phelan (2013), English language competence is an important factor in normative speakers’ academic performance. Language is the most important factor influencing a student’s performance out of all the factors influencing their performance (Haydar and Uyar, 2004).

Because English is the primary official medium of instruction in all secondary schools in Adamawa State and throughout Nigeria, this research focuses on these students’ inability to communicate in English, whether through speaking, writing, or reading, and how this affects their academic performance in the long run. Poor academic performance in secondary school is caused by, among other things, the student’s English proficiency, the instructors, the school, the family, and the environment. While instructors have a significant impact, students’ English proficiency accounts for a significant portion of the equation.

Mastery of English is critical, and many experts consider it to be one of the defining elements of academic success. This topic addresses the question of whether students’ English proficiency is sufficient.

academically successful, how proficiency in English can be useful in their academics as a whole, what makes students proficient and what does not, and so on.

1.2 Problem Description

Many people, including academics, have stressed the importance of English proficiency as a criterion for a secondary school student’s academic achievement. Many of the norms and concepts that govern subjects like math, literature, and Christian religious studies, among others, are founded on the use of English (Driscoll A.D, 2003). Students with poor English language skills will find it difficult to explain themselves, affecting their performance on written exams and examinations. The lack of English proficiency in many courses among secondary school students across the country, and particularly in Adamawa state, appears to be widespread.

due to certain issues such as subject instructors’ ineffectiveness.

The kids’ motivation is lacking.

Environmental (class size) and government-related factors (curriculum).

You’re having difficulty understanding what you’re reading.

The home factor is considered.

Some studies have found that English proficiency is important not only for secondary school students, but also for teachers who are responsible for instilling good information in students and serving as role models in various Nigerian educational institutions. Based on the factors listed above, the researcher intends to conduct research on English proficiency as a determinant of secondary school students’ academic performance.

1.3 The study’s objectives

The overall goal of this research is to assess mastery of the English language.

a basis of students academic achievement. The following are the specific goals:

i. Determine whether students’ academic performance is affected by their command of the English language.

ii. To investigate the impact of teachers’ qualifications on students’ mastery of the English language.

iii. To assess the difficulties that students face in mastering the English language.

iv. To suggest ways to improve students’ command of the English language in order to improve their academic performance.

1.4 Research Issues

The following research questions serve as a framework for this study;

i. Does mastery of the English language affect students’ academic performance?

ii. What effect does teacher qualification have on students’ mastery of the English language?

iii. What are the difficulties that students face in mastering the English language?

iv. What is it?

What are the recommended methods for improving students’ mastery of the English language in order to improve their academic performance?

1.5 Importance of the Research

This study is significant because the findings will help identify the relationship between mastery of the English language as a foundation for students’ academic achievement. This study has recognized the findings of various factors that may affect students’ academic performance. In the long run, mastery of English is regarded as one of the most important factors. Throughout this study, it will be established that mastery of English has a direct link to secondary school student performance. If English is proven to be a determining factor, then issues of poor teaching skills will arise.

The English language as a subject should be thoroughly investigated. This study will aid in addressing issues concerning students’ overall performance in secondary schools, as well as mapping out strategies to guide teaching curriculum, which will be of great assistance to students’ guardians/parents as well as teachers.

This study will be important to the academic community because it will add to the existing literature.

1.6 The scope of the research

The study will look into whether students’ academic performance is affected by their command of the English language. The research will also look into the impact of teachers’ qualifications on students’ mastery of the English language. The research will look into the difficulties that students face in mastering the English language. Finally, the study will suggest methods for students to improve their command of the English language.

can be improved in order to improve students’ academic performance. As a result, this study will be limited to Adamawa state.

1.7 The study’s limitations

As with any other research, the researcher encountered constraints in the cause of this study, including a lack of needed accurate materials on the topic under study and an inability to obtain data. The researcher faced financial constraints in obtaining relevant materials as well as printing and collating questionnaires. Furthermore, time is a constraint because the researcher must shuttle between writing the research and engaging in other academic work, which makes the researcher uncomfortable.

1.8 Terms Definition

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

English language: The language originated

It originated in England and is now spoken throughout the British Isles, the Commonwealth of Nations, North America, and other parts of the world. It is the ability to correctly use the English language.

Academic achievement: This determines how well a student performs in school. The ability of a learner to succeed in their studies.