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Impact of Mother Tongue on Scholars Speaking English Language as A Second Language

Beauty Onyekachi Garricks, Prof. Michael Alozie Nwala, Prof. Daniel Ogum, Prof. Ibiere Ken-Madueke

Abstract

This project examined the impact of Mother tongue on scholars speaking English Language as a second language. Four research questions and four hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The sample size for the study were 200 English teachers selected from 10 secondary schools in Port Harcourt. The descriptive survey research method was adopted in carrying out the study while the Pearson Product Moment Correlation statistical tool was employed in data analysis. The findings of this study were as follows: Mother tongue has a significant impact on the pronunciation of vowel sounds among secondary school scholars; Mother tongue has a significant impact on the pronunciation of consonant sounds among secondary school scholars; Mother tongue has a significant impact on the intonation of secondary school scholars; Mother tongue impact the syntax of secondary school scholars. The following recommendations were made: Enough time should be made available for the teaching of oral English. Adequate time allotment is one way the goal of effective communication in the language can be achieved; Emphasis should also be laid on stress and intonation right from the primary school; Teachers’ motivation of the student’s is necessary, especially in encouraging the scholars to use Received Pronunciation even when they are been made jest of by their fellow scholars. They should be made to understand that English is not just a subject to be passed during examinations but that the ability to express one clearly and to be understood by the native speakers of English is the ultimate goal; Teachers and educated parents should always pay attention correct children’s errors in pronunciation, syntax and intonation immediately those errors are made; Teachers must continually update their knowledge within their discipline. They must keep information about new methods and materials that will make their teaching more effective.

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