Influence of Environmental Factors on the Learning of English Language in Secondary Schools in Nnewi South Local Government
Chapter One
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 nnewi south local government . This study specifically sets out to:
- Find out the availability of learning resources used in the school
- How the learning environment affects the acquisition of English language
- Come up with possible strategies of improving the learning environment and enhancing the availability of right learning resources and use.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
A proper and adequate environment is necessary for the productive learning and grooming of the students. The environment given to them at home and at school should provide them the necessary stimulus for learning experience (Putnam, et al, 2009). It is necessary that school environment arise curiosity among the students through curriculum, teaching techniques and relationship because students have to spend their most of their study time in school
Environmental Factors Affecting Students’ Learning
It is mostly observed that students learn more when a suitable social environment is provided to them in school. The school is the place of incredible importance in education. The learning environment is directly proportional to the language achievements of learners. Better school environment not only improves their learning but also helps in lessening the drop-out of the students (Battin, et al, 2000) Classroom is a place where teachers transfer and students acquire knowledge in order to fulfill the academic needs and achieve learning outcomes. Iipinge (2013) conducted a comparative study in order to check the effect of indoor environment on the quality of occupant’s perception of performance. She found that poor indoor environment of the classroom affect students’ performance badly. Teachers use different strategies which are useful for the transfer of information. Therefore, it is necessary that classroom should be properly designed with proper air and lighting conditions. Rooms should be airy and spacious enough to accommodate all students. Furthermore, classrooms must be equipped with audio visual aids, learning kits, and language related stuff. A good language classroom must be looked like a language laboratory similar to computer, biology, chemistry and physics laboratories at school. Facilities related to infrastructure mean those facilities which were provided to the students in the vicinities of school building. A study conducted by Fisher (2001) shows that there is positive correlation between the school infrastructure and students learning outcomes along with their behavior changes. It further shows that school infrastructure has positive impact on the academic achievements and behavior modifications of the students. The facilities related to the infrastructure include:
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to Influence of environmental factors on the learning of English language in secondary schools in Nnewi south local government
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information on Influence of environmental factors on the learning of English language in secondary schools in Nnewi south local government. 200 staff of selected secondary schools in Nnewi south local government. was selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain Influence of environmental factors on the learning of English language in secondary schools in Nnewi south local government
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of environmental factors on the learning of English language in secondary schools in Nnewi south local government
Summary
This study was on Influence of environmental factors on the learning of English language in secondary schools in Nnewi south local government. Three objectives were raised which included: Find out the availability of learning resources used in the school, How the learning environment affects the acquisition of English language and Come up with possible strategies of improving the learning environment and enhancing the availability of right learning resources and use. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staff of selected secondary schools in Nnewi south local government. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made up principals, vice principals administration, senior staff and junior staff were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
study suggests that school environment plays a significant role on the academic achievements of the students. Findings obtained from the respondents indicate that school environment influences the achievements of the learners. The data also highlighted that school overall environment, infrastructure, facilities and the modern equipment available at schools have positive impact on the academic achievements of English language students and enhance their language learning performance. The findings further highlighted that modern facilities such as computer, internet, different laboratories (i.e. physics, chemistry, biology, and English language) and library, when provided to students, make their learning easy and more comfortable. The factors which influence students’ performance and their achievements include appropriate teaching methodology, smart and skilled teachers, favorable learning atmosphere, excellent teacher-student relationship and good school-parent relationship; all these factors facilitate language learning opportunities at school. The findings of current study support the results of previous studies that feeble association between teachers, students and institution affects students’ attitude in miscellaneous ways. Basque & Dore (1998) stated in this context that learning environment ought to implement six functions: inform, communicate, collaborate, produce, scaffold and manage.
Recommendation
Qualified teachers of English language should always be employed to handle the course in all the senior secondary schools of Lagos state. Adequate instructional media/materials should provided where not available improvisation should be adopted by the English teachers of senior secondary schools of Lagos state. Proper supervision by both the administrations of the senior secondary schools of Lagos state ministry of education should be conducted to make sure teachers of English language are actually doing what they are expected to do.
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