Effects of English language proficiency on performance of physics in national examination in west Pokot county in Kenya

Abstract

In Kenya, English is the medium of instruction in schools and the official language of the country. English which is the Language of Instruction (LOI) in all schools in Kenya has been considered to have an influence on the overall academic performance of the learner. Physics being one of the science subjects offered in our secondary schools has not eluded the problem of uneven performance in national examinations. More so gendered patterns in performance in national examinations in various subjects have been observed. The study sought to determine the effects of English language proficiency on academic performance of Physics subject in national examination in West Pokot County of Kenya. The objectives of the study were, firstly, to determine the influence of English language proficiency on students‟ academic performance in Physics subject in West Pokot County. Secondly, determine the variation in performance of male and female students in English language in West Pokot County. Lastly, determine the variation in academic performance of male and female students in Physics in West Pokot County. The study used a descriptive sample survey design. The study sample comprised of four schools that have been offering Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination for the last 26 years. The four schools were sampled from the target population of 38 secondary schools offering both Physics and English. The study utilized secondary dat Language Proficiency on academic performance in Physics at the national examination. This implies that English language has no influence on Physics performance. Furthermore, there is no difference in the English Language proficiency between the male and female students at national examinations. However, there is difference by gender in Physics performance at the national examinations in West Pokot County. The study recommends that gendered profiling of subjects should be discouraged in the society since the study indicates that both male and female students can perform well in both science and languages literacy. More so all learners should be able to consider all subjects as equal. The study recommends that further study to be undertaken to ascertain the difference in performance in Physics between male and female students.