Factors Influencing Performance in English: A Case Study of Gichugu Division, Kirinyaga District, Kenya.

Abstract

The researcher set out to investigate the factors that influence performance in English in Gichugu Division. Being one of the English teachers in the division, the researcher was worried over the poor performance of students in the English subject. As such, the main purpose of the study was to identify the factors that influence this performance and come up with remedies. The literature review is presented under three sub-headings: teacher¬related factors: English teachers and methods of instruction; student-related factors: abilities, social-economic background and attitudes towards English; and school-related factors: teaching of English in secondary schools, examination of performance, inspection of teaching, study resources and class size. From this review, a conceptual framework is developed. The research used the case study design. The study covered six public schools from the division, eighteen teachers of English and two hundred and forty students. To collect data, the researcher developed two questionnaires; one for Form Three students and one for English teachers. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The main findings of this research are that in spite of students having a positive attitude towards English, they do not allocate the subject sufficient time for revision; use of vernacular in schools is rampant and there is an inefficient language policy in schools; teachers have a high workload and a large student population in their classes. Based on these findings, it is recommended that students are encouraged on the essence of English as a subject and language; students set aside more time for English revision and stringent language policy with consequences be introduced in schools. Further, it is recommended that the Ministry of Education employs more English teachers to share the already existing work load and have classes with fewer students.