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ABSTRACT
The study investigated the influence of debates and essay competitions as a tool in the development of English Language in Senior Secondary Schools in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. The design adopted for this study was the descriptive survey method. Four (4) research questions were raised to guide this study: What is the perception of students towards debate and essay competitions in Senior Secondary Schools in Oredo Local Government Area? What are the challenges encountered in implementing debate and essay competitions in teaching? Are there other teaching methods similar to debate methodology of learning in Secondary Schools? Are there possible ways of reawakening students’ interest to learning with debates and essay competitions in Secondary Schools? The population of the study consisted of 6,439 students in public secondary schools in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. The sample size for this study was a total number of one hundred (100) students who were selected using the simple random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from respondents, which was tagged, “Respondents’ Questionnaire on the Influence of Debates and Essay Competitions for Teaching English Language (RQIDECTEL)”. Data collected from the survey was statistically analyzed using a statistical software package (SPSS). After analysis, results were displayed on tables showing frequencies and percentages of responses from participants in the study. Findings from the study revealed that students as well as schools in general are reluctant in the use of debates and essay competitions for learning. It was also found from the study that some teachers don’t effectively apply the right methods for teaching subjects in schools. It was therefore recommended that government should organize teacher-training programmes that would help further develop teachers and sharpen their teaching skills. Also, it was recommended that if debates and essay competitions should be part of the teaching syllabus, rewards and compensation should be appropriately awarded to students who display excellent performances. This would help ignite the interest of others and rekindle their zeal for learning.
