1.1 Introduction
Instructional materials have been observed as a powerful strategy to bring about effective Learning and Teaching. The importance of quality and adequate instructional materials in Learning and Teaching can occur through their effective utilization during classroom teaching. Instructional materials here include all the tools that the teachers can use to make the learning more interesting and memorable. As is known, English Studies may comprise of English Linguistics, English Teaching and English Literature. These three studies are the logical next step of efforts to acquire skills in understanding and using English, particularly for those who aspire to broaden and deepen their knowledge and mastery of English. The higher one’s mastery of English the stronger is one’s English sense and hence more sensitive is one’s knowledge and critical awareness about English literature.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The English Language was introduced into many countries through colonization among other factors. As early as the beginning of the 19th century, English language had become the language of trade, contact and missionary endeavour. Countries such as Nigeria and Ghana use it as a means of communication nationally and internationally. Within these geographical region, the English language acts as medium of instruction from the primary school up to tertiary level. English language is spoken around the globe and it has a wider dispersion than any other language.
A teacher is a very significant factor in the school environment as well as the materials he uses to drive home his/her point. These materials used by the teacher tend to have a significant implication which cannot be dismissed with a wave of hand if academic excellence is to be achieved in our education institution. In order to achieve these educational goals, the use of instructional materials cannot be over-emphasized.
Effective Learning and Teaching is done with instructional materials; Nachias (2000), Owo (2009) and Nwagbo and Ugwuanyi (2015) observed that innovative pedagogical practices using technology and improvisation enhance teachers effectiveness English Language concepts cannot be fully achieved without the use of instructional materials. The teaching of English Language without instructional materials will certainly result to poor performance in the course.
Basssey (2002) described instructional materials media as system component that may be used as part of instructional process which are used to disseminate informative message and ideas or which make possible communication in the teaching-learning process. Experience over the years has shown that teachers have been depending on excessive use of words to express, convey ideas or facts in the teaching-learning process. This process is termed the ‘chalk-talk’ method. Today advances in technology have made it possible to produce materials and devices that could be used to minimize the teachers’ talking and at the same time, make the message clearer, more interesting and easier for the learner to assimilate (Onasanya, et al. (2008).
According to Soetan et al. (2010), graphics including charts, posters, sketches, cartoons, graphs and drawings. Graphics communicate facts and ideas clearly through combination of drawings, words and pictures. The use of graphics in teaching creates definitiveness to the materials being studied. They help to visualize the whole concepts learned and their relationships with one another. Hands-on instructional materials show, rather than tell, which increase information retention.
However, the study of English literature is more than just English. It is about nearly all facets of society lives from which the English literary works spring up. That is, English- speaking people of certain country, academic, working, religious, and cultural backgrounds and political leanings and of certain times express various aspects of their lives in written English. The main objectives of studying their literary works are to enrich our knowledge and understanding of the high values of morality and wisdom they contain. However, to know what an English literary work is all about and the messages it wants to convey requires “know-how” that include English skill and strategies.
Samba and Eriba (2011) see improvisation as the act of using alternative materials and resources to facilitate instructions whenever there is lack or shortage of specific first hand teaching aids. The authors see improvisation as the choice of the best instructional material which enables the teacher to achieve some carefully specified educational objectives.
Stiggins (2008) added that there are various methods used to increase class participation and performance among students. The researchers hope that improvisation of instructional teaching materials could be one of them. Recent models of Learning and Teaching view learning as a social activity in which children construct knowledge with the teacher and other children (Kerry, 2002).
Therefore, in Delta State where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Use of Instructional Materials for Effective Learning and Teaching of English Language in Junior Secondary Schools.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the instructional materials make Learning and Teaching more understandable, meaningful and easy. But inspite of the benefits of instructional materials to Learning and Teaching, the scarcity of the instructional materials has hindered, to some extent, the efficiency of Learning and Teaching of English Languages.
During this process instructional material otherwise known as teaching aids meant to make instruction more meaningful, clear and much more interesting to students are brought in display.
Pupils’ poor academic performances have become a concern to all stakeholders. Education stakeholders blame the teachers while the teachers on their part blame the government for failing in their responsibilities to provide adequate instructional materials to enhance pupils’ academic performance in Junior Secondary Schools (Adedeji, 2002). It is also perceived that although these instructional materials are lacking in most Junior Secondary Schools, their utility by teachers has also been questionable.
This is in variance with the National Policy on Education (FRN, 2013), where it is was categorically stated that learning experiences for children shall be made more meaningful with the provision and effective use of innovative materials in schools. These innovative materials are the broad-based instructional materials needed for teaching-learning process in the Junior Secondary Schools. It is against this background that the researcher hopes to assess the extent of use of instructional materials for effective teaching-learning of English Language in Junior Secondary Schools in Okpe Local Government Area, Delta State.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Use of Instructional Materials for Effective Learning and Teaching of English Language in Junior Secondary Schools. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows to:
- Examine the relationship between instructional materials and student academic performance in English Language;
- Examine the impact of instructional materials in Learning and Teaching of English Language in Junior Secondary School; and
- Find out the influence of instructional materials on academic performance of Junior Secondary School students in English Language.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Does an instructional material influence instructional materials on academic performance of Junior Secondary School students in English Language?
- Is there any relationship between instructional materials and student academic performance in English Language?
- What is the impact of instructional materials in Learning and Teaching of English Language in Junior Secondary School?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no statistical significant relationship between the academic performance of English Language students and the use of instructional materials in Teaching-learning
- H1: There is a statistical significant relationship between the academic performance of English Language students and the use of instructional materials in Teaching-learning
Hypothesis Two
- H0: An instructional material does not have any impact in Learning and Teaching of English Language in Junior Secondary School
- H1: An instructional material has an impact in Learning and Teaching of English Language in Junior Secondary School
1.7 Significance of Study
The use of instructional materials will give learners the opportunity to touch, smell or taste objects in the Learning and Teaching process. The study will also help to:
- Steer Government and Proprietors of schools to recognize the need to adequately equip their schools with current and appropriate instructional materials.
- Prove the worth of instruction materials in teaching learning processes.
- Inculcate in teachers the habits of using instructional materials appropriately in teaching learning process to arouse interest and determination among students.
- Enhance teachers’ teaching effectiveness and productivity. Consequently a teacher who makes use of appropriate instructional materials to supplement his teaching will help enhance pupils’ innovative and creative thinking as well as help them become plausibly spontaneous and enthusiastic.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of this research is focused on the Use of Instructional Materials for Effective Learning and Teaching of English Language in Junior Secondary Schools using Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State as a case study.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Instructional Material: What the teacher uses to make the lesson more interesting and understandable.
Effect: This is the way in which an event, action or person changes someone or something.
Performance: This has to do with the ability to do something or carrying out an activity.
