Study Habit And Pupils Academic Performance In English

Study Habit And Pupils Academic Performance In English

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1    Background of the Study

The best language commonly used to communicate especially when two people are not native speakers of the same language is English language. This brings about the major goal of English language both in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.

The goal of helping pupils to acquire knowledge and the required skills may not have been achieved due to poor study and irregular habits and ineffective lesson among primary school pupils in English. English is essentially oriented subject which demands proper exhibition of good study behaviour for effective speech and communication. Pupils are rarely exposed to the linguistic skills; hence, Akpan (2004) observes that lack of practical activities by pupils has resulted in poor communication and observational skills.

        Absence of these skills gave rise to pupil’s poor performance in primary schools.

        Individual’s studying pattern / behaviour affects the amount of information which such individual add into his long term memory. Study habits may refer to whether pupils study at the same time each day, whether they shut off radio and television while reading and whether they restate and write down what they have read during the practical instructions.

        Study habit also describes some external activities which serve to activate and facilitate the internal process of learning as defined by Rothkof (1992).

        Many studies have been carried out which make available today an important catalogue on study habit which that study habit have strongly relationship with academic performance pupils.

        Omotere (2011) opines that study habit was a pattern of activity that went beyond merely reading for pleasure. According to him, it is a well planned and deliberate form of consistency on the part of the pupils toward under-standing academic subjects.

Study habit are learning tendencies that enable pupils to work privately and it is an adopted way and manner a pupil plans his private readings after classroom learning so as to attain mastery of the subject. Good study habits are good assets to learners because the habits assist pupils to attain mastery in area of specialization and consequent excellent performance while opposite constitute constraints to learning and achievement leading to failure.

        In Nigeria, there are so many factors influencing the ability of pupils to cultivate effective and efficient study habit. Ozmert (2005) emphasized the importance of environmental influence as a major factor in the development of pupils study habit. In the same vein, this implies that the environment of most children is not conducive for studying it is in the light of this that makes some parents to prefer their children to go to boarding school for proper discipline and to inculcate better reading habits.

Achievement is generally a pedagogical terminology used while determining learners’ success in formal education and which is measured through reports, examinations, researchers and ratings with numerous factors of variable exerting influence.

1.2    Statement of the Problem

Due to the increasing nature of poor academic performance of primary school pupils, educationists tends to shift the blame on the teaching methodology adopted by the teachers and lack of fund from the government to  provide quality instructional materials.

However, these might not be the only reason why pupils perform poorly in examinations. It is clear from all indications that most primary school pupils have poor study habit which might lead to poor academic performance. As true as this might sound, it is yet to gather adequate research evidence to prove that it is a key factor on why pupils fail. Nevertheless, this study is carried out to determine if pupils study habit has a significance different on the pupils academic performance in English.

1.3    Purpose of the Study

The primary aim of the study was to examine the study habit and pupils academic performance in English. The general aim is expressed in the following specific objectives which are to:

1.   Find out the influence of homework / assignment on pupils academic performance in English.

2.   Investigate the influence of note taking / reading on academic performance of pupils in English.

3.   Find how peer group influence the study habit and academic performance of pupils in English.

1.4    Research Hypotheses

1.   There is no significant influence on homework / assignment and academic performance of pupils in English.

2.   There is no significant influence on note-taking / reading and academic performance of the pupils in English Language

3.   There is no significant relationship between peer groups in their study habit vis-à-vis academic performance of pupils in primary schools.

1.5    Significance of the Study

This study will be of significance and will serve as reference materials to various agencies concerned primarily with education of the child. Hence, this study will be significant in the following ways:

1.   It will serve as an eye opener for a child to discover strengths and weakness in his/her study skill.

2.   The findings of this project will not only help pupils to realize the cause of their poor performance in homework test and examination but will also serve a guide to improving their general academic performance.

3.   It will also act as an information pool for both the teachers and parents and will help them on how to advise pupils from primary three (3) to six (6) on effective study habit.

4.   It will inspire the government to plan for effective provision of learning materials in the schools.