Abstract
It is observed that quite a number of adults are unable to learn a second language apart from their mother tongue. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the reasons behind the poor or no acquisition of Second Language in adults. We have, therefore, collected our data through questionnaire and employed descriptive statistics, using single percentage in tabular form, bar charts and histograms to analyse our data. The major findings are that 18(30%) of our respondents agreed that they do not think they can learn the English language; implies that majority of our respondents have a negative attitude towards the English language and this inhibits learning and that 54(90%) of the respondents agreed that they prefer their native languages to English. This shows that there is cultural bias and as far as 90% of our respondents are concerned. This is also an inhibitor to learning the English language. Recommendations have also been given to assist learners learn better given the factors discovered to inhibit this learning.
CONTENTS
1.0 Chapter One-
General Introduction
0.0
1.0
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Aims and Objectives
1.2 Scope of study
1.3 Justification
1.4 Methodology
1.5 Chapter Summary
2.0 Chapter Two-
Literature Review
2.0 Introduction
2.1 Definition of terms
2.2 Second Language Acquisition
2.3 Language Acquisition Theories
2.3.1 Behaviourism
2.3.2 Mentalism
2.4 Linguistic concepts
2.4.1 Socio cultural factors in L2 acquisition
2.4.2 Language and culture 11
2.4.3 Cultural confrontation
2.4.4 Cultural familiarisation
2.5 An eclectic approach to factors affecting language learning
2.6 Conclusion
3.0 Chapter Three-
Presentation and Analysis of Data
3.0 Introduction
3.1 Section One: Presentation and Analysis of Data Based on
Personal Variables
3.2 Section Two: Presentation and Analysis of Data Based on
Some Research Questions
3.3 Section Three: Presentation and Analysis Based on a Randomly selected Few lexical items of the English language
3.4 Chapter Summary
4.0 Chapter Four-
Summary of Findings, Recommendations and Conclusion
4.0 Introduction
4.1 Summary of Findings
4.2 Recommendations
4.3 Conclusion
Bibliography
Appendix
List of Tables
Table 3.1.1: The distribution of respondents according to sex
Table 3.1.2: The distribution of respondents according to age groups.
Table 3.1.3: Distribution based on ethnicity
Table 3.2.1: The categorization of English language
Table 3.2.2: The distribution of respondents based on ability to speak
English.
Table 3.2.3: The distribution of respondents who like English but cannot
Speak it.
Table 3.2.4: The distribution of respondents who think they cannot
learn the English language.
Table 3.2.5: The distribution of respondents based on those who
prefer their native language to the English language.
Table 3.2.6: The distribution of respondents based on response to time in
Language acquisition.
Table 3.2.7: The distribution based on responses on an assertion that
‘it is compulsory to speak English where I work’.
Table 3.2.8: The distribution based on an assertion that ‘if I speak
vernacular where I work, I will be punished’.
Table 3.2.9: The distribution based on an assertion that ‘I have a
formal training in the use of English’.
Table 3.3.1: The use of correct plural and tense forms
Table 3.3.1.1: Showing the percentage use of each lexical
item in this research (1-5).