Abstract

This study set out to determine the effects of instructional materials on the teaching and learning of the English Language in Secondary schools in the Santa Sub-Division of the North West Region of Cameroon. Data was collected using questionnaires and observation in these schools. Quantitative and qualitative approaches were used to analyze the data.

The research project started with an introduction in which the background of the study, statement of the problem, the purpose of the study, the scope or limitation of the study and the operational definition of terms used in the study are explained.

Under the literature review, some work of other authors, researchers, and theories related to the various independent variables are studied.

The subjects for the research were basically the students of secondary schools in the Santa Sub- Division of the North West Region of Cameroon.

The issue of instructional materials in all levels of education has thus been recommended by the researcher to be encouraged in the field of education by the actors concerned.

Our discussions, recommendations, limitations, and suggestions for further study (research) have also been mentioned in the study to improve on the study.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.10 Historical Background

The issue of the study of instructional materials in secondary schools is just something that has evolved recently. Historically, we shall for better understanding portion the history of the existence of instructional materials in the educational milieu and the teaching of English language particularly into three parts, that is, the pre-colonial, the colonial, and the post-colonial period.

During the pre-colonial period, (before 1884), education was not very formal in the sense that it was community-based, that is it took place anywhere in the community where, virtually everybody was involved in the education of the child. During this period, the use of instructional materials was very limited because the outcome of learning was determined by the community.

The second period that followed was the colonial period which saw the foundation of formal education were in the use of instructional materials started gaining ground.

The third period was the post-colonial period or the independence period were the government started controlling education. The use of instructional materials came into play and this period is characterized by the evolution of more advanced instructional materials, thereby causing users to feel their importance in student’s academic performance.

1.11 Background Of The Study

Instructional materials are those teaching aids that help and facilitate the teaching and learning process. They help students to easily grasp materials and information. These materials need to be selected based on their capacity to motivate students, help them recover previous lessons, activate students’ responses, and provide timely feedback.

The use of instructional materials in teaching and learning the English language in the classroom and during lesson preparation or private study time at home is quite important as these materials will facilitate the acquisition of the English language; this is a means through which educational technology is manifested. This is justified by Trickson(1970: 96) who says it is a skillful and systematic way of handling the learning process in the educational field.

According to Tambo (2003: 136), students using textbooks can proceed at their own rate and to some extent depending on their interest. This means that students can read ahead at home before actually listening to the teacher’s explanation. This goes a long way to facilitate the teaching and learning of the English language.

Equally, Wilkins (2000:99) opines that the use of newspapers, magazines and journals will provide students with current events and will help to keep them updated.

Research has revealed that the use of instructional materials such as Audio-visual in the teaching and learning of the English language will go a long way to improve the language proficiency of visual learners. Such audio-visual aids like television have a great impact on students’ academic performance. Farrant (1980:214) refers to television as something which offers to schools a window to the world through which students can look and enter into the privacy of such places as hospitals operating theatres or experience the excitement of supersonic travel. Thus, television can help students learn and retain information about the English language. There is, therefore, no doubt that when students hear, see, feel, and touch, they hardly forget since they make use of all their senses during the process of cognitive development.

Interest in this topic has arisen because of the fact that most students and teachers have failed to realize the role that instructional materials play in the teaching and learning of the English language. Therefore, an investigation into the problem is quite imperative.

Instructional materials also help in widening the learner’s understanding of English language lessons, especially in grammar. Instructional materials make the teaching and learning of the English language more efficient and easier. When learning is accompanied by the use of instructional materials, there will be a positive effect.

The involvement of instructional materials during lessons makes use of practical lessons and if teachers should deliver knowledge and lessons without the use of adequate textbooks and teaching aids, learning may not properly take place.

1.12 Definition Of Terms

Teaching /Learning Process: the teaching and learning process is an interaction between the educator and the learners or the students.

Secondary school: this is the level of education after primary school education. Students enroll in high school and university after secondary school.

Educational Technology: This is the advanced scientific knowledge used for practical purposes or objects, instruments, or materials used by teachers and students to enhance learning.

Instructional Materials: These are materials that are used by the teachers and students to enhance the teaching-learning process such as textbooks, printers, televisions, radio, chalkboards, globes, and charts.

Performance: This refers to student’s positive and negative responses to lessons already taught.

Academic Performance: This refers to the positive and negative academic responses of students academically.

1.13 Statement Of The Problem

The problem in the educational field and in English language teaching and learning, in particular, is that students need to listen, hear, see, and practice before they can assimilate facts and understand concepts effectively. But very often, there appears to be neglect in the use of instructional materials during lesson preparation and for illustration during classroom activities. Most students are careless about the use of prescribed and referenced texts. This appears to cause poor performance.

It should be noted that in the past, the teaching and learning process was weighed more on one person who was the teacher, but today the situation has changed and both teachers and learners are actively involved. So with the less attention paid by both teachers and students on the use of instructional materials, learning is not quite effective which is why there is a need to carry out this study.

1.5 Purpose Of The Study

1.5.1 General Objective

This study investigates the effects of instructional materials on students’ English language proficiency.

1.5.2 Specific Objectives

1. To investigate some of the instructional materials used by various schools in the teaching and learning of the English language such as chalk, textbooks, television, and radio.
2. To evaluate how the use of chalk, textbooks, television, and radio as instructional materials have contributed to English language performance in secondary schools.
3. To probe into some of the challenges faced by both teachers and students when using chalk, radio, textbooks, and television in teaching and learning the English language.
4. To propose some solutions that may enable the best use of instructional materials in the teaching and learning of the English language.