CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

These days, English is taken as the common language in all parts of the world. It may be a foreign language, but international in its significance. English language is spoken, read and understood in most parts of the world. Because of this language, people of the world communicate and belong to the whole shares of the world. It is widely accepted that English has become the language of choice for many international scholarly journals.

According to Crystal (1997), conversation without a common language between academicians from different nationalities, both in the virtual and real world would prove impossible. English language is now the most spread of the entire world’s language since it is spoken by both non-natives and natives.

According to Graddol (1997), there are three types of speakers using English: those who speak it as a first language (around 375 million speakers), those who speak it as a second or additional language (again some 375 million speakers), and those who learn it as a foreign language (about 750 million learners).

As to this language scholar, English language plays a very significant role in different areas worldwide. For instance, it serves as a working language of international organizations and conferences, scientific publications, international banking (economic affairs and trade), advertising for global brands, audio-visual cultural products such as films, TV, popular music, international tourism, tertiary (university) education, international safety (airline and maritime travels), international law, as a “relay language” in interpretation and translation, technology transfer, and international communication (Graddol, 1997).

This is mainly because English is so infrequently used in daily life outside the classroom and students do not have the opportunity to learn the language informally. The designation of English, as a second official language, of the country is, thus, according to Stoddart (1986), misleading.

The role of English in Ethiopia, at least outside the educational system, resembles more closely that of countries where English is considered a foreign language (like, Sweden) than that of countries where it is considered a second language used relatively widely as a lingua franca (for instance, in some urban settings in Nigeria).

Thus, the main way students have been expected to learn English has been by using it as a medium of instruction. Some scholars have questioned the extent to which students can be successful in using English as a medium.

As the English language serves as a medium of instruction from junior secondary to tertiary levels of educational sector of the country, it is somewhat not satisfactory for students to master it within the specified period of time in the classroom.

1. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

 Language is the vehicle of social interaction and requires practical everyday language use to function properly in the work place, social interaction, mobilization and indeed for functional literacy. There are odds against the Nigerian students in learning English. It is noticed that a student is automatically placed at a disadvantage when he/she is asked to learn another language. Majority of secondary school students in Nigeria had already mastered their mother tongue before they are admitted into school.

Nigeria is reputed to have over 250 languages. With the poor performances of students and graduates in English language in Nigeria, educators, parents, employers, are worried and express great concern.

Finally, several research has been carried out on the Nigerian senior secondary school students’ attitude and motivation towards English language learning: case study of northern and southern geopolitical zones but not even a single research has been carried out on the assessment of factors influencing the attitude of senior secondary school students towards the study of English language in Tafawa Balewa local government area of Bauchi state.

1. AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main aim and objectives of the study is to assess the factors influencing the attitude of senior secondary school students towards the study of English language. Other specific objectives of the study include;

1. to determine the effect of student’s attitude towards the study of English language in Tafawa Balewa local government area of Bauchi state.
2. to determine the extent to which student’s attitude affects the study ‘of English language in Tafawa Balewa local government area of Bauchi state.
3. to determine the factors that triggers the attitude of students towards the study of English language.
4. to proffer possible solutions to the problems.
   1. RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What is the effect of student’s attitude towards the study of English language in Tafawa Balewa local government area of Bauchi state?
2. What is the extent to which student’s attitude affects the study of English language in Tafawa Balewa local government area of Bauchi state.
3. What is the factor that triggers the attitude of students towards the study of English language?
4. What are the possible solutions to the problems?
   1. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

Ho:  Attitude of senior secondary school students has no significant effect on the study of English language.  

Hi:   Attitude of senior secondary school students has a significant effect on the study of English language. 

1. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The usefulness of the work cannot be over emphasized the major factors affecting the performance of students in English language in general i.e. both examinations and daily use. Student’s attitude towards learning and what should be done to help them adopt positive mind set towards learning and mastery of English language would be found invaluable to improve performance excellently.

Most especially the secondary school students who leave school convinced that they are bad in English and certainly also not able to use their mother tongue with confidence outside the limited purpose and situation of their immediate social group. Furthermore the study will no doubt be immense use to language teachers especially teachers of English language. Curriculum planners of language. English and the ministry of education in making English language teaching and learning more interesting and meaningful. Finally, the study will contribute to the body of existing literature and knowledge to this field of study and basis for further research.  

1. SCOPE OF THE STUDY

Assessment of factors influencing the attitude of senior secondary school students towards the study of English language is limted to Tafawa Balewa local government area, Bauchi state.

1. LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Time Constraints: One the challenges experienced by the researcher is the issue of time; the research will simultaneously engage in departmental activities like seminars and attendance to lectures. But the researcher was able to meet up with the deadline for the submission of the project.

Financial Constraints: Every research work needs funding; however lack of adequate funds might affect the speed of the researcher in getting materials for completion of the project.

1.9   DEFINITION OF TERMS

Assessment:    The action of assessing someone or something.

Factors:   A circumstance, fact, or influence that contributes to a result.

Influence:        The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behaviour of someone or something, or the effect itself.

Attitude: A settled way of thinking or feeling about something.