INFLUENCE OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS ON STUDENTS PERFORMANCE IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE. (EDUCATION PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS)
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to Study
The English Language was introduced into many countries through colonization among other factors. As early as the beginning of the 19th century, English language had become the language of trade, contact and missionary endeavour. Countries such as Nigeria and Ghana use it as a means of communication nationally and internationally. Within these geographical region, the English language acts as medium of instruction from the primary school up to tertiary level. English language is spoken around the globe and it has a wider dispersion than any other language.
A teacher is a very significant factor in the school environment as well as the materials he uses to drive home his/her point. These materials used by the teacher tend to have a significant implication which cannot be dismissed with a wave of hand if academic excellence is to be achieved in our education institution. In order to achieve these educational goals, the use of instructional materials cannot be over-emphasised.
Instructional materials are materials which assist teachers to make lesson explicit to the learners. They also transmit information, ideas and notes to learners Ijaduola (1997), Aina (1982) asserts that instructional materials are those materials or resources used in any teaching exercise to promote greater understanding of the learning experience. They are used to provide the richest possible learning environment which helps the teacher and learners to achieve specific objectives. They also assist the teachers to communicate more effectively and the learners learn more meaningfully and permanently. The same is amplified by Ogunsanya (1984) who describes teaching materials as anything that helps the teacher to promote teaching and learning activities.
