THE IMPACT OF THE HOME AND THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE
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ABSTRACT
This study assessed the Impact of the home and the school environment on the performance of students in English Language (A case study of Afijio Local government Area, Oyo State). The study made use of research question as research instrument and sixty (60) respondents were sampled for this study. According to the research findings, it was established that most of the schools are situated in a serene environment because the schools have enough space to carry out academic functions. In fact, the schools have power supply that can be used to power multimedia instructional materials and there are play gadgets that can be used to refresh the memory after study sessions. As a result of this, there is nothing in the environment of the school that can pose danger to the students. In fact, many of the students do understand the topics taught in a small class compared to large class. Also, large class do keep many of the students lively compared to a small class. Also, many of the students do not feel shy to ask questions that are not clear to them in large class size. The finding shows that most of their teachers do feel happy in teaching large class size than small class and most of the schools classroom setting of large class size is conducive. This shows that many of them affirmed that their school has a well-equipped library. Also, many of them confirmed that there is enough reading materials in their school library that enhance English language performance. The finding shows that most of the students affirmed that reading materials in their school library has no relevance with English language and most of the students do learn English words whenever they read in their school library. Also, most of the students don’t like going to the library for reading. Conclusively, most of the students from rich family are more brilliant and perform better in their assignments and are less disturbed psychologically than students from poor family background. Also, the average number of students from rich family do have access to read more materials on their courses than students from poor family background. Also most of the students from higher socio-economic class have more advantage than others.
KEY WORDS: Home environment, School environment, Academic Performance, English Language.
Description
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
English language occupies a prominent place in the Nigerian school curriculum. English language is one of the legacies that was bestowed to Nigerians by the British which is difficult to do away with. This is because it is the language of instruction in schools, of business transactions, of communication both nationally and internationally. It is equally the language of industry since science and technology are “sine qua non” for development. It is the language of mass communication and propaganda in mass media. In literature and Arts, it is the language of novels, poems, short stories, music and drama. In social occasions, English language is used for conversation and interpersonal relationship. It is also the key to educational advancement. The life-wire of all activities in all works of life and key for better job opportunities.
The so called major languages in Nigeria have not thrived significantly beyond their geographical boundaries because of the obvious lack of teachers to teach them in schools. In the same vein, the acclaimed minority languages have not made any appreciable impact even within their domains because of the speakers’ negative attitude to their language among other things. All this has prepared the ground for English, an imperialist language to thrive and take the number one position among the 394 to 514 Nigerian languages. Thus, English has assumed the privileged position as a national, official, language of education, government as well as an international language in Nigeria (Udosen, 2013).
It is our official language and therefore imperative that every Nigerian should be able to read, write and communicate in good simple English. This is important if Nigeria should overcome its health, economic, political and social problems. For instance, health for all in the year 2020 will be unrealizable if citizens cannot read simple prescriptions in English; transfer of technology will also be unrealizable if many Nigerians cannot read and understand relevant books which are written in English (Raheem, 2018).
The language is gradually losing its standard. This is because the multiplicity of languages in Nigeria has some influence on the English spoken by Nigerians. One is again baffled to notice that secondary school students perform badly in West African School Certificate in English language Examination. In view of this, teaching and the use of English language should be given prominent attention in secondary schools as the majority of Nigerian parents are illiterates and cannot provide a conducive home environment for language acquisition nor afford good schools for their children’s education. The environment will always affect the language used.
The need for mastery of English at the child’s early stages in life is far reaching because it makes for effective communication, better understanding and academic performance as the child moves from one level of education to another. A child with a solid knowledge of English language at the primary school will encounter less problems in reading and understanding books and materials on science and technology which are to a large extent positively correlated with social and economic development. There is need therefore for much more concern about effective teaching and learning of English language in our secondary schools and about products of our secondary schools not being able to meaningfully express themselves in English.
From the foregoing, the English language is very important now that the country is geared towards technological, social, economic and political development. A solid foundation in English should be laid for the children, right from the start as the much-talked about transfer of technology will be meaningless if the majority of Nigerians are poor at English as most materials on science and technology are written in English. Lack of understanding of these materials and poor communication with experts will definitely hamper our move for national development in all spheres of life. Moreover, for success in the campaign on rural development currently going on which advocates literacy and awareness for rural dwellers, English should be given a premier position in education of the rural dwellers for them to be able to contribute effectively to the improvement and development of their families, communities and the entire nation. As a result, the researchers intend to carry out a study on the impact of home and the school environment on the performance of students in English Language.
1.2 Statement of Problem
The use of English language is a day to day activities in Nigeria. Its fluency has a lot to do with smooth relationship among human being. Furthermore, the use of simple and correct English language has a lot to do with the academic performance of every student. However, it is sad that even English language students cannot speak simple and correct English. This is believed to be the influence of home and school environment because environment plays a great role in the diction of every person. As a result, the researchers propose to carry out study on the impact of home and the school environment on the performance of students in English Language.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The importance of the relationship between the English language and society cannot be over emphasized in the education of students and indeed in the growth and development of any community. The English language plays a vital role to the government as it is being used for the purpose of government and administration, as documentation of government records; administrative instruction and minutes, legislation; court records and proceedings.
Also, English is highly significant in the field of education as it is being introduced as a subject in the first years of primary school and from the third year of the primary school up to university level as a medium of instruction. This in effect, means that the Nigerian child’s access to the cultural and scientific knowledge of the world is largely through English since the products of the schools will be absorbed into types of employment where English is the official medium of communication and where proficiency in English to a necessary qualification, the pre-eminent position of English in the educational system is likely to remain for a long time.
Furthermore, in the mass media, English is in a predominant position. All the national newspapers are published in English, Radio, non-musical programmes, Television are almost entirely in English.
Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to look at the Impact of home and the school environment on the performance of students in English Language.
1.4 Significance of the Study
This study will be of great significance to the students, teachers, parents, educational planners, language planners as well as the government.
(a) It will instill in the learners/students the quest and zeal to study and master English.
(b) To the teachers, it will enable them to be committed by making adequate preparations of their lesson note and lesson plan. Also, to produce a conducive environment for English language class.
(c) On the part of the parents, the feedback they get through their children’s results will motivate them to encourage their children in the acquisition of the language.
(d) To the educational planners, they will be most privileged because the study will take the form of evaluation on what they have earlier planned, thereby putting into consideration the implementation of this policy. The language planners will discover from this study problems faced by their schools within this language community and design appropriate instructional materials for effective teaching and learning of the English language.
1.5 Research Questions
- What are the importance of conducive school environment to the achievement of English Language students?
- Does the class size affect performance of students in English Language?
- How well equipped is the library of schools in enhancing the performance of students in English Language?
- Do parents’ socio-economic status or background affect or influence students study of English?
1.6 Scope of the Study
The study focuses on the impact of home and the school environment on the performance of students in English Language. This study is limited to Afijio Local government Area, Oyo State.
1.7 Definition of Terms
Environment: This has to do with the whole personal behaviour together with conditions and influence that affect the development and life of the student.
Lingua-franca: It is an accepted official language in a multi-lingua society.
Home Background: there are factors influencing a child from his or her family environment.
School environment:
Academic Performance:
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