BITING THE TECHNOLOGICAL BAIT? TEACHERS’ VIEWS ON THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY OF SECONDARY SCHOOL LEARNERS IN ZIMBABWE
Journal Title: Educational Research International - Year 2017, Vol 6, Issue 3
Abstract
The study was propelled by the zeal to establish the views of English language teachers on the linguistic capabilities of secondary school learners in Zimbabwe. Theoretically, the exploration was grounded in psychology focusing specifically on Bandura’s social learning theory, the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory and Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. The descriptive survey research design was employed with questionnaires and focus group discussions as data collection instruments. A purposively chosen sample of 25 English language secondary school classroom practitioners with a post-teacher training teaching experience of at least five years participated in the study. The study established that English language secondary school teachers rated the English language proficiency of the current cohort of secondary school learners as comparatively inferior to that of the learners in the preceding cohorts of at least one decade ago. The respondents attributed such a generational difference in English linguistic abilities to a myriad of factors. From the respondents’ viewpoint, a multiplicity of variables such as lack of reading role models, the prevalence of various forms of entertainment ushered in by technological innovations and limited parental involvement can be incriminated for aggravating secondary school learners’ linguistic prowess in Zimbabwe. It was recommended that stakeholders such as parents, guardians and teachers should deliberately foster the culture of reading and endeavour to avail a variety of materials which learners can regularly read so as to sharpen their linguistic proficiency. Recommendations were made to other researchers interested in language issues to replicate the current study with variations in geographical context or academic discipline.
Authors and Affiliations
Moses Kufakunesu, Kudzai Chinyoka
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP574321
- DOI -
- Views 139
- Downloads 0
Role of Islamic Education in Character Building of Young Generation: A Case Study from Secondary Level Institutes of Karachi
This study investigates the role of Islamic education in character building of young generation. For the purpose contents of the textbook of Islamiyat prescribed by Sindh Textbook Board for the students of secondary leve...
Examining Effect of Attention on Short-term Memory Recall of Arabic Abstract and Concrete Words Using Free, Cued, and Serial Recall Paradigms
To see if there is a correlation between attention and short-term memory recall and to examine attention as a factor affecting memory recall of Arabic and abstract words through free, cued, and serial recall paradigms....
THE DEMISE OF THE SHONA FAMILY IN ZIMBABWE: A CONSEQUENCE FOR PROBLEMATIC CHILDREN IN SCHOOL
The study sought to explore the impact of the traditional Shona family (mhuri) and the emerging new family structures in Zimbabwe on the educability of children growing in these emerging family structures. The study was...
Determining Information and Communication Technology Competencies for the Teaching and Learning of Technology and Vocational Education in Technical Colleges of Enugu State Nigeria
This study was designed by the researcher to determine the ICT competencies required for the teaching and learning of technology and vocational education in Enugu state. To accomplish this, one research question and one...
THE INFLUENCE OF POVERTY ON STUDENTS BEHAVIOUR AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
The overall goal of this study is to provide an insight into the influence of poverty on student behaviour and academic achievement. Thus, poverty was seen as the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptab...