FACTORS INHIBITING STUDENTS’ USE OF STANDARD SPOKEN IGBO IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN UDENU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ENUGU STATE Dr. Roseline .I. Eze & Mrs Charity .I. Ogbu

FACTORS INHIBITING STUDENTS’ USE OF STANDARD SPOKEN IGBO IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN UDENU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ENUGU STATE

Dr. Roseline .I. Eze & Mrs Charity .I. Ogbu
Department Of Arts Education
University Of Nigeria, Nsukka

Abstract
The history of Igbo Language studies show that most students lose interest and opt out in the study of the subjects. Worst still, the general performance of candidates has been declining over the years. It has been argued that one of the reasons for the poor performance and students’ lack of interest in speaking fluent standard Igbo is mother tongue interference. The study examined the factors inhibiting students’ interest in standard Igbo usage in secondary schools in Udenu Local government area of Enugu State. A sample of one hundred(100) students were randomly selected from five secondary schools. Three research questions were used. Result shows that mother-tongue interference, teaching method; environmental factors are the major factors inhibiting students’ effective use of standard Igbo. Among other things, the study recommend in-service training for Igbo language teachers on how to use the correct instructional method and techniques to promote students’ interest in the use of standard Igbo. The government should support language studies in schools by providing language libraries, fund for Igbo language studies, revision Igbo language curriculum, organizing regular training and seminars for both teachers and students, adopting a monitoring team to supervise teaching methods used by Igbo language teachers and providing the necessary modern language facilities. This will help to promote students’ performance in standard Igbo.

Keywords: Assessment, inhibition standard Igbo