STATISTICAL ANALYSIS ON THE EFFECT OF MOTHER TONGUE ON SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION (ENGLISH LANGUAGE) IN NIGERIA. (A CASE STUDY OF FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC OFFA, KWARA STATE.) A RESEARCH PROJECT BY ………………………………………………. SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS SCHOOL OF APPLIED SCIENCE THE FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC OFFA, KWARA STATE IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF NATIONAL DIPLOMA (ND) IN STATISTICS NOVEMBER, 2023 CERTIFICATION This is to certify that there search work titled Statistical Analysis on the Effect of Mother Tongue on Second Language Acquisition (English Language) in Nigeria was carried out by. EXTERNAL EXAMINERDATE DEDICATION This research work is dedicated to Almighty God for guiding, protecting and seeing me through from inception to the successful completion of the project. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I express my gratitude to the Almighty GOD for granting me the strength and protection throughout this project, including the research, writing, and analysis. I give all praise to Him alone. ABSTRACT This project analyzes the effect of mother tongue on second language acquisition (English Language) in Nigeria. Personal interview was conducted to collect data from students from school of Applied Science and Technology, Federal Polytechnic Offa. Fisher’s exact test analysis was conducted to examine the relationship among the selected factors and to know if there exist any significance difference between some selected factors (gender, age, academic qualification, native language and departments) in respect to student’s perception towards the effect of mother tongue on second language acquisition (English Language) learning experience, challenges students faced with mother tongue in acquisition of second language (English Language) including strategies and techniques which can be used to improve English language Skills. It was found that gender, native language, and department have significant impact between mother tongue and English learning, while age and academic qualification do not. Challenges faced by students in learning English include pronunciation difficulties and limited exposure to English-speaking environments. To overcome these challenges, students should practice reading, engage in conversations, and increase their English language usage both offline and online. TABLEOF CONTENT Title Page i Certification ii Dedication iii Acknowledgement iv Abstract v Table of Content vi CHAPTER ONE 8 1.0INTRODUCTION8 1.1BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY8 1.2STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM9 1.3AIM AND OBJECTIVES9 1.4RESEARCH QUESTIONS10 1.5RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS10 1.6JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY10 1.7SCOPE OF THE STUDY11 1.8LIMITATION OF THESTUDY11 CHAPTER TWO12 LITERATURE REVIEW12 CHAPTERTHREE15 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY15 3.1METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION15 3.2 CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD QUESTIONNAIRE SAMPLING15 3.3METHOD OF DATA PRESENTATION16 3.4 ASSUMPTION OF CONTINGENCY TABLE16 3.5 METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS17 3.6 FISHER’S EXACT TEST17 3.7 HYPOTHESIS TESTING19 CHAPTER FOUR21 DATAPRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS21 4.1INTRODUCTION21 4.2DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION OF THE RESPONDENTS21 4.3DATA ANALYSIS23 CHAPTER FIVE28 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION28 5.1SUMMARY28 5.2CONCLUSION28 REFERENCE29 APPENDIX 130 APPENDIXII32 CHAPTER ONE 1.0INTRODUCTION Language acquisition is a multifaceted process influenced by a variety of factors, with the role of the mother tongue standing out as a crucial element. In Nigeria, a nation characterized by linguistic diversity, the acquisition of English as a second language presents a distinctive educational challenge. This study aims to explore the dynamic relationship between the mother tongue and the acquisition of English as a second language, with a focus on understanding how the linguistic background of Nigerian learners shapes their experiences in learning English. 1.1BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY Nigeria's linguistic landscape is marked by the coexistence of numerous indigenous languages alongside English, the official language. The multilingual context of the country sets the stage for investigating the impact of the mother tongue on second language acquisition, specifically concerning English. As English olds central importance in various aspects of life, including education and communication, it becomes essential to unravel how learners navigate the complexities introduced by their native languages in the process of acquiring English proficiency. The study draws on the Transfer Hypothesis, a theoretical framework proposing that knowledge of the first language influences the learning of a second language. This hypothesis becomes particularly pertinent in Nigeria, wherelearners bring diverse linguistic backgrounds to their English language learning experiences.Examiningtheinfluenceofthemothertongueinvolvesexploringhow elements such as phonology, grammar, and cultural context may either facilitate or hinder the acquisition of English. While previous research has touched up on aspects like phonology, grammar, vocabulary acquisition, and socio-cultural dimensions, there is a need for a more nuanced and context-specific investigation. Given the sociolinguistic diversity within Nigeria, this study seeks to provide empirical insights that can inform educational policies and practices related to English language instruction. By exploring challenges, advantages, and effective strategies associated with the mother tongue's influence, the research aims to contribute to the improvement of language education at various educational levels in Nigeria. 1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM In the multilingual and diverse educational landscape of Nigeria, the effect of mother tongue on the acquisition of English as a second language among students at Federal Polytechnic Offa, school of applied science to be precise, remains a critical and underexplored area. This study aims to investigate the intricate relationship between mother tongue and English language acquisition, with a focus on the perspectives and experiences of students. Utilizing a comprehensive questionnaire, there search seeks to identify the challenges faced by learners, the influence of mother tongue on their language learning experiences, and the strategies employed to enhance English language skills in a polytechnic setting. 1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES The main aim of the study is to evaluate effect of mother tongue on second language acquisition (English Language) and specific objectives are as follows: Toexaminestudents'perceptiontowardstheeffectofmothertongueonsecond language acquisition (English Language). To determine the factors such as mother tongue challenges faced by students in acquisition of second language (English Language), strategies and techniques to be employed to tackle the challenges. 1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS Are there significant differences in perception based on demographic factors such as gender, age, academic qualification, native language, and department? What are the challenges encountered in learning English as a second language? What are the strategies and techniques used to improve the English language skill? 1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS 1(HO): There is no significance difference in the impact of mother tongue on English language acquisition between Male and Female. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS 2(HO): There is no significant differences in perception based on demographic factors such as gender, age, academic qualification, native language and department. 1.6 JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY The significance of understanding the influence of the mother tongue on second language acquisition, particularly in the context of English language learning in Nigeria, cannot be overstated. With an ation rich in linguistic diversity, insights into how the mother tongue shapes the learning experiences of Nigerian students are crucial for effective language education. This study aims to provide empirical evidence that not only contributes to the theoretical understanding of language acquisition but also offers practical implications for educators, policymakers, and curriculum developers. By identifying challenges, advantages, and effective strategies related to the mother tongue's influence, the study aims to informargeted interventions to enhance the English language learning experience for Nigerian learners. 1.7 SCOPEOFTHESTUDY This study will focus on students at Federal Polytechnic Offa, Nigeria, encompassing a diverse group representing various native languages, academic disciplines, and level so education. There search wild elvein to the impact of the mother tongue on different aspects of English language acquisition, including phonological aspects, grammatical structures, vocabulary acquisition, and psychological/socio cultural factors. The scope will also extend to exploring effectivestrategiesemployedbystudentstoimprovetheirEnglishlanguageskills within the academic setting. By narrowing the focus to a specific educational institution, the study aims to provide context-specific insights that can be applied to similar educational settings in Nigeria. 1.8 LIMITATIONOFTHESTUDY While this study aims to provide valuable insights into the relationship between the mother tongue and English language acquisition,
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