CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Education is an essential thing in human life, which is just one of the basic human needs that should be fulfilled to ensure that people can behave according to the norms and rules that have been developed with their own understanding with no aspect of compulsion. Whether or not the success of learning objectives relies on how is the learning process. The teaching and learning process is primarily a pattern of mutual assistance between teachers and students. Learning is a business procedure that is done by a person to create something new from our environment (Slameto, 2010). In the learning process, the teacher is anticipated to have the ability to produce learning conditions that can lead students to active learning situations, consisting of active physical and psychological activities, in addition to people and groups. Nevertheless, if we take a look at a few of the problems of teaching and learning at this time, lots of teachers just convey learning without respect to standard skills that should be used effectively according to student qualities, whereas the application of excellent teaching standard skills by teachers will have the ability to help students achieve great learning accomplishment in each set competence.
Research of Etuk, at. al (2013) shows that: Students 'perceptions of their teacher's knowledge, communication skills, use appropriate teaching techniques and teacher's capacity to organize classes have a considerable relationship with students' attitudes towards English Language. If students 'perceptions of their teacher's qualities are low, students' attitudes towards English Language have the tendency to be negative. From the internal elements of students (characteristics), this has a big influence on learning since each student has various attributes in regards to ability, behavior, interest in learning and motivation of the student himself. For that reason, teachers ought to understand and use different fundamental teaching skills to handle students' issues that have various qualities in their learning.
There have been issues from educationist and parents on the general academic poor achievement of students which is evident in the outcomes of their external examination, particularly in English language. In affirmation, Barasa (2005) observed that lecturers in higher institutions have expressed their issue regarding admitting students with poor achievement in reading, writing, speaking and paying attention. This dropped standard in the academic achievement of students has increased worry to teachers and curriculum developers, due to the essential role English language plays in the education field as a mandatory subject and a tool of instruction in the classroom. Thus, lack of proficiency in English language hinders students from acquiring fundamental knowledge of other subjects not just English language. This absence of proficiency in students can be traced to different elements, such as unserious attitude of students, non-availability of instructional materials, absence of qualified teachers and unsuitable teaching techniques of teachers.
Iran-Nejad, Keachie & Berliner (1990) observed that teachers' teaching technique is vital to the effective teaching and learning procedure, since it affects students' learning. There are various types of teaching techniques available to teachers, for efficient teaching and learning in class. The suitable teaching techniques ought to put into consideration the class size, subject matter and students' level. Teachers are for that reason, anticipated to think about and employ the suitable techniques for the overall delivery of their lessons in class, for the optimal benefit of the students and achievement of the teaching goals.
Nevertheless, it is worrisome to keep in mind that when faced with new innovative methods in teaching, there still exist teachers that prefer old techniques to contemporary techniques that can enhance the high quality of their teaching. This challenge, in the teaching profession, is evident in the quality of knowledge acquired by the students. Armstrong (2012) attests that conventional methods disregard students' obligation in the classroom; therefore, students presume a receptive role in their education. To improve the teaching and learning process for better student achievement, conventional educational method ought to be properly incorporated with available teaching resources. Teachers’ ought to supplement their teaching through illustrations, charts, flash cards, picture talks, presentation and student response system (Stephenson & Cortinhes, 2013). According to this assertion, Henard and Roseveare (2012) use teachers to empower their students with active involvement, instead of making them receptive in class. Thus, this study sought to investigate students’ perception of teachers’ competence and their attitude to learning English Language.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
It has come to be a problem of concern to keep in mind that despite new innovative methods in teaching, there are still teachers that stick to old techniques of teaching rather than adopting modern techniques that can enhance the high quality of their teaching. This challenge poses a pitfall in the effectiveness of the teaching and learning process. Aside from the role of teachers in the teaching and learning process, students are anticipated to assume some levels of responsibility in their academic achievement. The concern students have in learning English language, which is as a result of the difference in the structure of English language and their native language is just one of the significant issues to their educational achievement. Likewise, the negative attitude of students to learning negatively impacts their academic performance. For that reason, this study set out to find out how students view their learning competence in learning English language, the strength and weakness of teachers' teaching techniques, and availability of infrastructures for the effective teaching and learning of English language.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The aim of this study is to examine students’ perception of teachers’ competence and their attitude to learning English Language. The specific objectives include:
I. To determine students’ perception of the teaching methods employed by their English teachers.
II. To examine if the qualification of teachers has an effect on the academic performance of students.
III. To investigate if teaching experience is related to academic performance of students in English Language
1.4 Research Questions
In line with the above objectives, the following research questions will guide this research:
i) What is the students’ perception of the teaching methods employed by their English teachers?
ii) Does the qualification of teachers have an effect on the academic performance of students?
iii) Does teaching experience relate to academic performance of students in English Language?
1.5 Research Hypotheses
In line with the above objectives, the following research hypotheses will guide this research:
i) There is a significant relationship between students’ perception and the teaching methods employed by their English teachers
ii) Qualification of teachers do have a significant effect on the academic performance of students
1.6 Significance of the Study
This study will look intensively on the effect of teachers’ characteristics on academic performance of students. It will be beneficial to stakeholders in the educational sector such as teachers, parents, students, school management, and ministries of education, educational researchers, and the society at large.
It will be used as a guide line for schools in recruiting teachers and also help already recruited teachers in improving their teaching methods.
It will be beneficial to curriculum developers in the framing and designing of topics that will correct and improve the performance of senior secondary school students.
Educational researchers will see it as an addition to the literature on teachers’ characteristics and academic performance; giving them a concise and significant outlook of the topic. The recommendations will enhance academic performance.
Similarly, it is hoped that the results of this study will provide an insight to the teachers, examiners and students to improve their English language vocabulary by writing, listening and reading English and other specific books written in English of different areas of study.
1.7 Scope of the Study
The scope of the study is limited to students’ perception of teachers’ competence and their attitude to learning English Language subject only. The study was carried out in the Osogbo metropolis only. The study was also limited to activities of Senior Secondary Schools students. The study made use of both primary and secondary data. Questionnaires will be distributed and used to find out the correlation between students’ perception of teachers’ competence and their attitude to learning English Language.
