EXAMINATION OF THE FACTORS MILITATING AGAINST LEARNING ACHIEVEMENTS IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE AMONG ADULT LEARNERS IN BENIN METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the factors militating against learning achievements in English Language among Adult learners in adult literacy centers in Benin Metropolis to achieve the objectives of the study, four research question and one hypothesis were formulated. The study employed the descriptive survey research design with 72 participants, selected through proportionate sampling method. A structured questionnaire titled: Factors Militating Against Learning Achievement in English Language Questionnaire (FMALAELQ) was the instrument for the study. The instrument was designed with a modified Likert Scale Format with a four-point rating scale of Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A) Disagree (D) and Strongly Disagree (SD). The instrument was validated by the project's supervisor and two other lecturers in the department who are experts in questionnaires. The instrument reliability was determined using Cronbach's alpha Procedure. After computation and analysis, the instrument produced a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.71 as the reliability coefficient. The data collected were anaylsed using descriptive inferential statistics. The descriptive statistics involved the use of frequency counts, simple percentages, mean scores and standard deviation with a criterion mean of 2.50; while the inferential on the basis of the findings, it was recommended among others that involved the use of Pearson’s r to test the null hypothesis at a 0.05 level of significance. . The findings of this research study revealed that the current level of English language proficiency of learners in adult literacy centers Benin Metropolis is relatively low and something needed to be done urgently to address the situation. Furthermore, the findings of this research study indicated that the major factors that influenced the learning achievements in English language among learners in adult literacy centers in Benin Metropolis were their anxiety; personality traits as well as their study environment. Based on this study, it was recommended that task based learning can improve the level of English proficiency of learners in adult literacy centres, it was recommended that learners should be comfortable while learning is taking place.