ABSTRACT
This study sought to identify factors that affect effective teaching and learning of the English language in the secondary schools in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State. The study was carried out using seven secondary schools as a random selection from schools located in both urban and rural areas. One hundred (100) English language students were equally used for the study. The instrument for data collection was the questionnaire and structured oral interview while simple percentage was used to answer the research questions.
The result of the study showed that large class-size, unavailability of qualified teachers, lack of students’ interest and no assignments to students were among the factors identified by the researcher will influence the performance of students in English language in the secondary schools.
In the course of the study, some questions were raised, for example:
1. Does the school have enough qualified English language teachers.
2. Is pidgin English allowed to be used as means of communication within the school environment.
Altogether, 15 questions were formulated and answered. Based on the two sets of instruments administered to 100 students from seven randomly selected secondary schools, some findings were made such as:
1. Influence of mother tongue interference on the students’ mastery of English language.
2. Pidgin English speaking in the school premises pose a problem on students’ performance in English language.
There are also lack of qualified English language teachers, well-equipped libraries and unavailability of instructional materials.
Based on these findings, the following recommendations were made:
1. The government should employ more qualified teachers and expand number of secondary schools to reduce the ratio of students per teacher to 1:35 students as stipulated in the NPE or even 1:30.