AN INVESTIGATION INTO STUDENT ATTITUDE TO THE STUDY OF LITERATURE IN ENGLISH IN SELECTED SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ABUJA MUNICIPAL AREA COUNCIL ABUJA

Abstract

This study investigates student attitude on the study of literature in English in selected senior secondary school in Abuja municipal area council. The factors attitudinal, social, socioeconomic, and extracurricular which are believed to influence students’ achievement have been duly put int consideration. Findings show that there is significant relationship between the factors and students’ achievement in literature in English in senior secondary schools in Abuja municipality councils.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background of the study

The word Literature was derived from the Latin word literal which means a letter of the alphabet. In a wide sense, literature is taken to mean every expression in letters that is written down (Okolo, 1993). But to Scholars of literature the term does not apply to every form of written expressions it is limited to certain categories of written expressions which have artistic merit or aesthetic appeal. Okolo further explained that literature is a work of art created with words either oral or written, whose value lies in its impressive nature and ability to arouse admiration. The Oxford English dictionary (2002) defined Literature as pieces of writing that are valued as works of art, especially novel, plays and poems. Rees (1973) sees it as “writing which expresses and Communicates thoughts, feelings and attitudes towards life” Moody (1968), in his own words says: Literature springs from our in-born love of story or arranging words in pleasing patterns, of expressing in words some special aspects of human experience. It is usually set down in printed characters for us to read, though some forms of it are performed on certain accessions. Literature, he further states, has different forms as poetry, drama, prose and the short story. All of these are works of imagination or works that give the individual the capacity for invention. He, however, tries to bring out the difference between literature and other subjects when he observes that: the writer of literature is not tied to fact in quite the same way as the historian, the economist or the scientist whose studies are absolutely based on what has actually happened, or on what actually does happen in the world of reality. According to Owoeye (2003), the primary aim of literature is to give pleasure, to entertain those who voluntarily attend to it. It also brings us back to the realities of human situations, problems, feelings and relationship. She further states that the importance of literature in the school curriculum cannot be underestimated. It plays an important role in the achievement of the goal that education aims at: the complete development of the individual. Moody on the place of literature in the educational system says that: Literature offers a vast reservoir of human experience and of judgment, of experience, a development of imagination and an entry into human situations which otherwise might fall outside our Ken. Furthermore, it develops the cognitive domain of the Individual as it develops the capacities for discrimination, judgment and decisions. It helps in language development as it is a tool for understanding language because it is easily learned in real situations and an endless series of situations in which language is heard or in use. Literature helps towards training the learner in the skills of reading listening, speaking and writing as observed by Moody. He holds the view that literature is concerned with all aspects of man and the universe. It is therefore not surprising that literature plays important role in improving the learner’s language and enlarging his awareness of life at home and school. It is also informative thereby helping the understanding of different cultures (Owoeye, 2003). In the affective domain, it is used for the expression of feelings and emotions. It purges the mind of prejudices and preconceived ideas and makes it free and active. This is perhaps why Moody says that it “touches the moral life”. Anthony (2011) also pointed out that literature provides occasion for exercise of judgment about man and his conditions, in helping the development of the psychomotor skills. Literature provides an avenue for dramatization. Demonstration and active participation by the individual involved. Saruq (2007) affirmed that literature is a piece of writing with dual roles–entertainment and education. These significant roles are derived from the stories it relates. The stories themselves came from the experiences that the author seeks to elucidate. In other words, Literature teaches and entertains through the experiences that such piece of writing conveys. Literature according to her may be prose, poetry or drama piece. In whatever genre that the author decides to relay his/her message the centre point is that of teaching a moral lesson, albert entertaining an audience. Williams (2004) stressed that the study of literature in a first or second language confronts the students with various operations of language and the need to elucidate its meaning. Moreso, since literature organizes language in the most exemplary fashion, the second language learner must be aware of the importance of applying the language of literature as a model for his own use. He further states that teaching of literature has the practical value of enabling the student to learn about the second language as well as use it. However, Fakeye (2011) states that students are usually unable to understand the cultural background of the material used since the cultural background is not their own. They also affirmed that characters, theme, plot, values, attitudes, judgments and much of the vocabulary are not recognizable, and hence psychologically threatening. In view of these, different students have different general preferences as regards to studying and learning of literature.

• STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Literature-in-English is one of the vital subjects of the study in the Nigerian senior Secondary Schools. Literature-in-English as a key school subject which refers also to the study books of art such as drama, prose and poetry which are the genres of literature which authors create, so as to improve their skills in the English Language (De Naplis, 2002). The National Policy on Education (2004) confirms the importance of Literature-in-English in Nigeria. It is listed as one of the core subjects which are made compulsory for all secondary school students in both the junior and senior secondary school classes, though not yet implemented in many states of the nation. It is in view of the importance of the subject that the researcher intends to investigate student attitude to the study of literature in English in selected senior secondary schools in Abuja municipal area council.

 

 

• OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The main objective of the study is to ascertain student attitude to the study of literature in English in selected senior secondary schools in Abuja municipal council area. To aid the completion of the study, the researcher intends to achieve the following specific objectives:

1. To ascertain the effect of student positive and negative attitude to the study of literature in English on their performance in the subject
2. To investigate the role of teachers on student interest in the study of literature in English

• To ascertain if there is any relationship between student attitude to the subject  and their academic performance

1. To ascertain the impact of national education policy on students participation in the study of literature in English
   • RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

To aid the completion of the study, the following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher

H₀: student attitude be it negative or positive does not have any effect on student performance in literature in English

H₁: student attitude be it negative or positive does have effect on student performance in literature in English

H₀²: there is no significant relationship between student attitude to literature and their performance in the subject

H₂: there is significant relationship between student attitude to literature and their performance in the subject

• SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

It is believed that at the completion of the study, the findings will be of great importance to all senior secondary school students as the study seek to investigate the impact of students attitude to the study of literature in English and its impact on their performance in the study, the study will also be of great importance to the teachers of literature in English as the study seek to enumerate the role of teachers in enhancing the students to imbibe a positive attitude to the subject, The study will also be useful to researchers who intend to embark on research in similar topic, Finally the findings of this study will also be immense benefit to government, academia, scholars, researchers and the general public

• SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study covers an investigation into students attitude to the study of literature in English in selected senior secondary schools in Abuja municipal council area, but in the cause of the study, there were some factors which militate against the scope of the study

1. a) AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study.
2. b) TIME: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities        and examinations with the study.
3. c) FINANCE: The finance available for the research work does not allow for wider coverage as resources are very limited as the        researcher has other academic bills to cover.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

 

Attitude

Attitude is a psychological construct, a mental and emotional entity that inheres in, or characterizes a person. They are complex and an acquired state through experiences.

Students

Student or pupil is a learner or someone who attends an educational institution. In Britain, those attending university are termed “students”.

Literature in English

English literature is the study of literature written in the English language. The writers do not necessarily have to be from England but can be from all over the world

 

• ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), statement of problem, objectives of the study, research question, significance or the study, research methodology, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlight the theoretical framework on which the study its based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.  Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.

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