CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION.

1.1 Background to the study.

             Language is essential to human existence, it’s one of the most useful tools we have as humans.  it has become a major tool of communication between countries, cultural groups, communities and friends. It aids in developing and grooming one’s personality as a whole. It is used to convey ideas, desires and expression. it indicates culture. There is no country without a language. There are roughly 6,500 languages in the world today, English language being one of it. Generally, one of the most popular languages need in the world today is English language.

 Nigeria is a multilingual country, it has over 450 ethnic groups. English language became the official language and second language, it is the language of integration which unites all ethnic groups. The language is used in communication, science, business, entertainment etc. and this makes the acquisition of English language important.  This language occupies a prominent place in the Nigerian school curriculum, it is being taught in schools from the pre-nursery down to the tertiary institutions. This is because it is the major medium of instruction in schools. Language plays a crucial role in learning, and if the learner is handicapped in the language of instruction, then learning may not take place at all as the instructor or teacher and the learner will not be communicating (Malekale, 2003). Additionally, ADEA (2005) argues, ‘language is not everything in education, but without language everything is nothing in education’ (p.5). With English language being intertwined in every aspect of the Nigerian education, secondary students still perform woefully in the acquisition of the language.

           Language learners learn English language in an environment of second language which makes English learning difficult. As mentioned by Maesin et al (2009) “in second language learning, students find difficulties to utilize the language skills outside of language classrooms as there are fewer opportunities due to poor language environment” (pg. 71).

The environment is a big factor when learning a new language and its can either affect the acquisition of the language positively or negatively. Ogiegbaen (2010), observes the following environmental deficiencies in Nigerian schools:

1. Many schools, especially those in urban areas are located in areas where there is a busy movement and activities of many people
2. Many schools have dilapidated buildings with leaking roofs and cracked walls.
3. There is no electricity in majority of the schools.
4. He also observed that most of the schools, especially those in urban areas are overcrowded with some classroom housing as many as 70 to 100 students.
5. Most of the schools did not have adequate staff rooms and offices.
6. Most of the schools have no libraries and where they are available there were scarcity of books in the shelves.

This is the critical state of most secondary schools in Nigeria, which are the barriers against the effective teaching and learning of English language. Hence this study examines environmental factors and its effect on English language in four selected schools in Ibadan.

 1.2 Statement of the problem

English language is the official language in Nigeria. It is also a second language learned and mastered in Nigeria. But most Nigerians find it difficult to learn the language as there are different factors that affect the acquisition of English language. Among many different factors this study looks at the environmental factors that influence the acquisition of English language. Many psychologists are unanimous in their views that the environment one finds oneself contribute to one’s acquisition of language.

       The negative influence of environment on the academic performance of students in general and the acquisition of English language in particular has been an issue of concern to all partners in the educational sector. Specifically, it has been reported that the performance of secondary school students in English language is low and not satisfactory. In this regards, this study aims to investigate environmental factors (specifically looking at the learning resources and learning environment) and its effect on English language.

1.3 Objective of the study

The main objective of this study is to investigate the effect of environmental factors on English language among secondary school students in lbadan. This study specifically sets out to:

1. Find out the availability of learning resources used in the school
2. How the learning environment affects the acquisition of English language?
3. Come up with possible strategies of improving the learning environment and enhancing the availability of right learning resources and use.

1.4 Research questions.

1. What are the environmental factors that contribute to the acquisition of English language among secondary school students?
2. Will there be a significant difference between environmental factors and English language?
3. Could there be a concrete reason environmental factors affect English language.

1.5 Research Hypothesis.

1. There are no significant contribution environmental factors make to the acquisition of English language.
2. There is no significant difference between environmental factors and English language.
3. There are no significant reason environmental factors affect English language.

1.6 Significance of the study.

The findings of this study would be beneficial to the students, the teacher, parents and the school.

Students.

It will encourage and enable the students to study and master English language zealously.

Teachers.

It will enable the teachers to always make the learning environment very conducive for learning and also make them know the various means in which the learning resources can aid their teaching.

Parents.

The feedback they get from their children’s result will motivate them to encourage their children to learn the language properly. It will also motivate the parents to contribute financially to the upkeep and development of the environment in which their wards learn.

School.

The result of this study will help the school to detect their mistakes and make positive preparation to make the learning environment conducive for learning and to provide the right learning resources for the teacher to use while teaching.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study has its focus solely on the effect of environmental factors on English language among secondary school students in Lagos State. It will focus on secondary school students in Lagos State as the study covers three secondary schools located in Osodi-Isolo local government area (Matori grammar school, Okota grammar school, Ajumoni senior school) The population will be comprised of secondary students.

1.8    Operation definition of terms.

Environmental factors

          It is the known characteristics in an environment that affects the acquisition of English language. In this study the researcher will concentrate on two factors, which are learning resources and learning environment.

Effect

      The outcome of the causes of environmental factors on English language.

English language

          It is the official language and second language in Nigeria.

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