English Language Proficiency Factors and the Academic Performance of Students in Geography Subject in Secondary Schools in Rwanda

Authors

  • Mr. Mbonitegeka Emmanuel Research Scholar, A Research Project Turned in Partially to Meet Mount Kenya University
  • Dr. Hesbon Opiyo Andala (PhD) 2The Master of Education degree's prerequisite (educational materials planning and Management Option)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53983/ijmds.v13n11.016

Keywords:

English language proficiency, Academic performance, geography subject, secondary schools

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to look at the link between the English language proficiency traits in Kicukiro District, Rwanda, and the academic achievement of pupils in the geography curriculum. The specific objectives were to identify factors related to the academic performance of students in the geography course at the chosen high schools in Rwanda's Kicukiro District, as well as to assess student performance and ascertain the connection between academic success and English language ability components.To get acomprehensive grasp of the subject, the study will evaluate pertinent academic literature on the connection among components of fluency in the English language and students' scholarly advancement in geography courses. This study would be beneficial to the Rwandan government, lawmakers, educators, parents, students, and future scholars. The study's target group comprised There are 50 head teachers, 100 tutors, and 900 students. It employed a descriptive survey technique. Important informants and respondents were selected at random with a specific goal in mind for this study. The investigation sample that was created utilizing Sloven's approach consisted of 290 respondents. Descriptive statistics, such as percentage, frequency, mean, and standard deviation, have been examined in the data. using version 21.0 of the statistical product and service solutions. Moreover, utilizing the regression coefficient and correlation, inferential statistics have been generated to determine the degree of effect between variables. Results 50.2% of respondents strongly agreed that they have competence in English; 56.0% strongly agreed that how they speak English affects their English proficiency; 49.4% strongly agreed that speaking Kinyarwanda in school prevents them from becoming fluent in the language; and 56.4% strongly agreed that their parents speak Kinyarwanda because they are not very knowledgeable about the language. These were the results of the English proficiency factors.. 54.3% of respondents agreed that they are unable to use English for academic reasons because of the environment at school. According to data on students' academic performance in geography classes, 48.1% Fully concurred which exam Their English has an impact on their performance. proficiency, 48.6% agreed that geography requires more English than other subjects, and 61.3% agreed that using vernacular on tests causes them to fail the subject. Findings about the connection among variables related to fluency in English and students' academic success in geography classes showed that the majority of indicators had a positive connection with one another. Given that the significance level was below 0.05. It was suggested that in order to increase the level of English proficiency, the ministry of education should allocate sufficient funding for trainings, seminars, and initiatives to build capacity that promote knowledge and raise students' comprehension of the language.  Head teachers are responsible for supervising teachers to ensure that they are proficient in English. It is the goal of educators to provide direct help. The usefulness and adequacy of the English proficiency teachers employ when teaching geography would be the subject of future research. Research on how well English competence might improve students' learning outcomes in geography courses is therefore necessary.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Akinfe, E., Olofinniyi, O. E., & Fashiku, C. O. (2016). Teachers ‘quality as correlates of students’ academic performance in biology in senior secondary schools of Ondo State, Nigeria. Online journal of education research, 1(6), 108-114.

Anderson, A. (2014). Southern perspectives on learning and equity in the post-2015 sustainable development agenda. The Brookings Institution.

Andreas, S. (2011). International Summit on the Teaching Profession Building a High-

Quality Teaching Profession Lessons from around the World: Lessons from around the World. OECD publishing.

Anyanwu, E.C. (2016). Socio-Cultural Influences on Effective English Communication of Nigerian Undergraduates, Mgbakoigba, Journal of African Studies, 6(1), 1-8.

Bennell, P. (2004). Teachers’ motivation and incentives in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.Knowledge and Skills for Development, Brighton.

Dennis, C. & Stahley, K. (2016). Universal Primary Education in Tanzania: The Role of School Expenses and Opportunity Costs. Evans School Review, Vol.2 No1.

Feldman,L. (2019). Target population definition. Preserving families, 16-38.

Frank, J. V. (2016). Expanding the role of Maryland community colleges in K-12 teacher preparation: Benefits and costs of implementing the Associate of Arts in Teaching

Feldman,L. (2019). Target population definition. Preserving families, 16-38.

Frank, J. V. (2016). Expanding the role of Maryland community colleges in K-12 teacher preparation: Benefits and costs of implementing the Associate of Arts in Teaching.

Freire, P. (1995). Pedagogy of the Oppressed, (20th ed). Continuum Publishing Company: New York.

Griffin, P., McGaw, B., & Care, E. (2016). The Changing Role of Education and Schools. In P. Griffin, B. McGaw, & E. Care (Eds.), Assessment and Teaching of 21st Century Skills. Dordrecht, Germany.

Hakorimana E., Oyebimpe A. & Andala H., O. (2020). English Language Skills and Students’ Academic Performance in Rwandan Public Secondary Schools: Case of Bugesera District. Journal of Education. Vol 3(3) pp. 35-43. (AAT) degree. University of Maryland, College Park.

Komba, S.C. & John, D. (2015). Investigation of Pupils Language Abilities in Tanzania: The Case Study of English Medium Primary Schools. World Journal of English Language, V.5. NO.1

Maurice H. & Mukamazimpaka M., C. (2021). Effect of English as a Language of Instruction on Mother Tongue Mastery in Rwanda. Journal of Education. Vol 4(1) pp. 61-83.

Mbaga, S, (2015). Classroom Interaction: A Key to Effective Teaching and Learning in Secondary Schools in Tanzania. A case of Arusha city. General Educational Journal, Vol.4, pp 44-52, Published by Mount Meru University Research Unity 1.

Pinon. & J. Haydon. (2019). English language Quantitative indicators: Cameroon, Nigeria, Rwanda, Bangladesh and Pakistan. A custom report compiled by Euromonitor Interantiona for the British Council (December 2019). Government of Rwanda

Platt, A. (2023). The academic voice in English and Czech higher education quality.

Prophet & Badede. (2016). Language proficiency and academic performance in Botswana.

Prah, K. (2000). African unity, pan Africanism and the dilemmas of regional institute for policy studies. Harare: university of Zimbabwe.

Raesibe O. (2023). The Influence of English on Mother-tongue in Learning and Teaching in Secondary Schools (Fet Band) with Specific Reference to Sepedi in Mankweng Circuit in the Limpopo Province. Perspectives (University Of Limpopo).

Ringbom H. (2017). Cross-Linguistic Similarity in Foreign Language Learning. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.

Rumberger, W.& Scarcella.P. (2015). How Family Background influences Student Achievement Rwanda National Examination Council. (2011). Ministry of education, Rwanda

Samuelson. B.L. & Freedman. (2019). Language policy, multilingual education, and power in Rwanda.

Rosendal, T. (2019). Linguistic markets in Rwanda: Language use in advertisements and on Signs. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 30(1), 19–39.

Rwanda Education Board. (2018). English testing for Rwandan teachers. Kigali: REB

Samuelson, B.& Freedman, S. (2021). Language policy, multilingual education, and power in Rwanda. Language Policy, 9(3), 199-215.

Serge, G., Oyebimpe, A., & Andala, H., O. (2021). Relationship between Teachers’ Competency Level in Teaching English Language and Students’ English Language Proficiency in Secondary Schools in Rwanda. Journal of Education, 4(7), 104-122.

Wilkinson, R. (2016). The impact of language on teaching content: Views from the content teacher. Paper presented at the bi-and multilingual Universities- challenges and Future prospects. Helsenki, Finland.

Downloads

Published

23-11-2024

How to Cite

Emmanuel, M., and H. O. A. Andala. “English Language Proficiency Factors and the Academic Performance of Students in Geography Subject in Secondary Schools in Rwanda”. International Journal of Management and Development Studies, vol. 13, no. 11, Nov. 2024, pp. 199-15, doi:10.53983/ijmds.v13n11.016.

Issue

Section

Articles