ABSTRACT

This study was carried out purposely to find out the influence of mother tongue in the teaching and learning of English language in Anambra West local government area of Anambra State.The survey research design was adopted for the study. Fifty (50) students from the five (5) selected secondary schools in Anambra West local government area of Anambra State made up the sample for the study. The instrument used for the study was a questionnaire. Simple percentage method of analysis was used in analyzing the data realized from the students.

The results indicated that mother tongue have a great influence in the teaching and learning of English language as a second language in secondary schools in Anambra West local government area of Anambra State. It also revealed that schools that have sufficient qualified English teachers do better than those that have insufficient qualified English language teachers. It also revealed that lack of adequate facilitates and instructional materials are major factors that is causing the influence of mother tongue in the teaching and learning of English language as a second language in Anambra West local government area of Anambra State.

The study further revealed that parents educational background has a significant influence with the teaching and learning of English language. Recommendations made includes: Government and Educational Boards should endeavor to train the second language teachers to enable them carry out their teaching effectively, grants and funds should be provided by the government to the secondary Schools management in order to enable them carry out their duty effectively, facilities like libraries and laboratories with English textbooks and other books that will encourage teaching and learning should be made available. English language teachers should at aencouraged to use instructional materials in discharging their duties in order to improve the performance of the students in English language.