ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to examine the Use of Nigerian Pidgin English and Academic Performance of Students in Akwa Ibom State College of education, Afaha Nsit. The population of the study includes 538 students in English department. The sample size was 200 students selected using simple random sampling technique. Two research questions were formulated. A ten-item questionnaire entitled “Questionnaire on Usage of Nigerian Pidgin English and academic performance of students” was the instrument for data collection. Simple percentage was the method for data analysis. Findings showed that the usage of Nigerian Pidgin English affect the academic performance of students in Akwa Ibom State College of education, Afaha Nsit. Also, that though male students used Nigerian English more than female students, that gender difference does not affect the academic performance of students who used Nigerian Pidgin as both performed academically poor. Based on the findings, it was recommended that students should speak Standard English in school and in the lecture halls while discussing with their colleague and while interacting with their lecturers.
Use of Nigerian Pidgin English and Academic Performance of Students
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
One of the most important differences between man and animals is man’s ability to speak and make others understand him. Language is only possible because within each society, people agree to understand a particular pattern of sound in a particular way. For instance, all English speaking countries understand the meaning of the word ‘’water’’. According to Akindele and Adegbije (2010), language is; “A human phenomenon that has form which can be described in terms of units of sound (Phonemes) words, morphemes, phrase, sentence and paragraph or discourse”.
This definition shows that language has often been identified as the most unique attribute of man. It is through language that human beings grasp and understand reality and transmit it from one generation to another. In Nigeria, English language is regarded as the second language (l2) and the official language during official gathering and organizations. English language is originated in England and now widely spoken throughout the continents. It is the primary language of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and various small Island nations in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean.
In Nigeria, English language is lingual Franca. This makes the language an indispensible tool, for students in the country to communicate and interact socially because of the numerous indigenous language and dialects spoken by the different ethnic groups in different part of the country. Some dialects are similar both in spoken and in written form, while others are radically different from one another. In Nigeria, those language and dialect include Kwale, Owan, Yoruba, Housa, Ibibio, Annang, Oron, Ijaw, Edo, Igbo, Urhobo, Ekid, Obolo among others. However, none of this tribal languages and dialects has been generally accepted as a national language in Nigeria.
English language is globally the language of technology, science, aviation and computer, education and at that a world language of importance. Therefore, efficient spoken/written knowledge of English language is of basic importance to the study of every other subject. Standard English language command respect and prestige in the society. Inspite of the importance of correct usage both in examination and daily life interactions. A number of factors contribute to the situation one of which is the constant used of Pidgin English in schools and in living situation including tertiary institutions.
In linguistic, every language is considered adequate to represent the communication needs of its people and as such should not be made to suffer any biases.
This cannot be said of Nigerian Pidgin English, even though it is a language, because various attempts have been made by different faction to eradicate the use of Nigerian Pidgin English. These attempts have however been unsuccessful because of the significant value the language has to its users. It is a language that has brought people together inspite of their differences in ancestral culture and language by creating a local culture for itself which blends ideas from different cultures.
Use of Nigerian Pidgin English and Academic Performance of Students
1.2 Statement of the Problems
English language is generally conceived in the education sector as a compulsory subject of which students must pass with at least a credit before given admission into Nigerian Universities, polytechnics and colleges of education based on this importance, it is believed that every student in tertiary institutions should be good in standard English language during their daily communications in both verbal and non-verbal ways. However, the yearly percentage of granduands in school of language of college of education Afaha Nsit is very low compared with granduands in other schools. Similarly, available statistics from the teaching practice unit of Akwa Ibom state college of Education, Afaha Nsit revealed relative to other schools, schools of languages record a very poor number of students-teachers going on teaching practice especially in their third year every year.
Worries from these states of students’ affairs in their examination and many others, triggers the researcher to ask whether the incessant performance among students could be attributed to the usage of Nigerian Pidgin English, since it is the most popular means of communication among students and is easier to learn than any other language in the country. Hence, the intension of the researcher to conduct the study will be to investigate the extent to which the usage of Nigerian Pidgin English could influence the academic performance of students in school of language in Akwa Ibom State college of Education, Afaha Nsit.
