Factors that influence performance of English at secondary schools level in Matungulu Division, Kangundo District, Kenya

Abstract

The study has examined the factors associated with students' performance in English Language in Secondary schools in Matungulu division in Kangundo District. The results of the study showed that all the respondents agreed that Inadequate teaching facilities, Students indiscipline, inadequate coverage of the syllabus, poverty (parents social economic status), inadequacy of teachers, poorly trained English Language teachers, poor instructional delivery, lack of infrastructural facilities, teachers' attitude towards innovation and their work, the traditional content/knowledge oriented curriculum and the general students' apathy in English Language were factors associated with students' poor performance in English language. In order to enhance students' performance in English Language, the following recommendations proposed; English Language teachers should be well trained. In addition to pedagogy, teacher trainees should be exposed to more content areas in English Language.

The English Language teachers should explore strategies for facilitating students' practioe of the language arts so as to enhance their performance in national examinations, A good teaching of English Language should be combined with the use of relevant and adequate

instructional facilities that would ensure mastery of English skills. Governments should

provide conducive classroom environment that would stimulate teaching and learning of

English Language in our secondary schools.

English language teachers should engage more in diagnostic approach to the planning of educational experiences and activities for their students. Such experiences and activities should match students' interest, motivation and level of understanding. Teachers should

make learning of English Language meaningful and vivid for the students. Lastly, Students need to change their attitude towards English subject.