ROLE OF ENGLISH EDUCATION TEACHERS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SECOND LANGUAGE IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

The study examined the role of English education teachers in the development of second language, using Awka South secondary schools as a case study. The aim of the study was to investigate the problems affecting the development of second language in secondary schools, and identify different roles of English education teachers in ensuring a good development of second language in secondary schools. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for the study. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection. 300 SS2 students were sampled in the study area. The study adopted B.F. Skinner Theory of Language Development because of its relatedness. Data collected was analyzed using mean score. The findings of the study showed that there are challenges affecting the development of second language in secondary schools, especially in Awka South. These challenges include Mother tongue interference, poor reading culture; also, there are different roles of English education teachers in ensuring a good development of second language in secondary schools. These roles include Constant teaching, Engaging students in practical, Creating strategies for language development. Based on the findings, the study concluded that the roles of these teachers are very paramount in the achievement of quality language development, and as such, they should be given serious attention. The study therefore, recommended that school management and English education teachers should work hand in hand to find solutions to the problems affecting the development of second language in secondary schools. This will make it easy for the students to learn; also, English Education teachers should understand their roles in ensuring a good development of second language in secondary schools. This will enable them to perform very well in their tasks.