ABTRACT
This research work is concerned with the evaluative study of teaching and learning of English grammatical structures in the primary school. The research deals with the nature, objectives, methods steps and the problems of teaching and learning of English grammatical structures in some selected primary schools in Kaduna North Local Government. In chapter one, the problem to be investigated was stated; objectives, hypothesis, scope and delimitation of the study were well treated. While chapter two reviews relevant literature related to the teaching and learning of English grammatical structures in the primary school. The last three chapters centered on research methodology (i.e. methods of data collection), tabulation, analysis and discussion of data collected, summary, recommendations for the improvement of teaching and learning of grammatical structures in the primary school; there is also a general conclusion of all the issues raised in this research work.
CHAPTER
ONE
1.1 Introduction
The teaching
and learning of English Language is very important in our society today. This
is because of the various roles it plays in the geo-political structure of the
country. In Nigeria,
English Language is used for communication, education, economic and social
purposes. In the school system, English Language is not only taught as a
subject but it is also the core subject by which over school subject is being
taught.
Despite the
above, less attention is given to the grammatical aspect of English in the
primary school. Today, the nature of teaching and learning of English
grammatical structure in the primary school has become area of great interest
to teachers, researchers, and policy makers because through it the acquisition
of the four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) is
greatly enhanced.
In view of
the above, grammatical structure which entails English tenses, parts of speech,
punctuation, concord, clauses and phrases, is of immense importance to the
teaching, learning and mastery of English language among primary school pupils.
Therefore it must not only be taught to the pupils, but it should be taken
seriously at the primary school level since primary education is a better
foundation on which the future depends.
Looking
however at what is applicable in some selected primary schools in Kaduna North
Local Government Area of Kaduna State, the general practice by both teachers
and pupils towards the teaching and learning of English grammatical structure
is not encouraging. Emphasis has shifted from learning the grammar of the
language to teaching of writing and reading comprehension, the use of past
common entrance examination question papers, teaching of spellings, dictation
etc instead of adequate instruction/explanation on the aspects of English
grammatical structures which is much needed by the pupils.
Lack of
trained/qualified teachers, inadequate materials (textbooks and teaching aids),
poor classroom facilities, ambiguity of some English syllabi, inadequate
evaluation of teacher’s work by the supervisory authority, the teacher’s
inability to properly evaluate pupils’ work on grammar, are all contributory
factors to pupils’ poor performance in not only grammatical structure but other
aspects of English language at large.
Therefore the
teaching and learning of English language in the primary school should be to
ensure that pupils have good knowledge and mastery of the grammatical
structures and the ability to use these effectively for a better improvement in
English language. This is what has actually prompted the need for this
research.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The problem to be investigated in “An evaluative study of the teaching and learning of English grammatical structures in some primary schools.”
The research work is aimed at identifying the causes of pupils’ poor performance in using English structural items correctly. As a result of this, and other problems, this research will specifically investigate the following:
i) How pupils in the primary schools are motivated to learn and use English grammatical structures.
ii) The methods and techniques employed by teachers in the teaching of English structural items in the primary school and the effectiveness of these methods and techniques.
iii) The types of materials (textbooks/teaching aids) used by the teachers and how relevant these materials are to the teaching and learning of English grammatical structures.
iv) The types of teachers employed to teach English language in the primary school.
v) The areas of difficulty faced by teachers and pupils in the teaching and learning of English grammatical structures in the primary schools.
vi) Suggest how best to improve the teaching and learning of English grammatical structures in the primary school.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The objectives of this research are:
1. Find out how English grammatical structures are being taught in the primary school.
2. Address the various challenges faced by teachers and learners of English especially in the aspects of grammatical structures.
3. Make educational planners, language policy makers, curriculum developers and educational administrators to be aware of what is happening in the field (class room).
4. Identify problem areas in the teaching and learning English grammatical structures in the primary schools and to proffer solutions to such identified problems.
5. Assess and evaluate the quality of teachers teaching English and the materials used in the teaching of English grammatical structures whether the materials are adequate, relevant or not.