INFLUENCE OF MOTHER TONGUE AND CULTURE ON THE TEACHING AND LEARNING OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE: A STUDY OF PRIMARY DAY SCHOOLS IN ISUKHA OF WESTERN KENYA BY: OMAMO DAVIES A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY IN CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTION AND EDUCATIONAL MEDIA (ENGLISH EDUCATION) DEPARTMENT OF CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTION AND EDUCATIONAL MEDIA SCHOOL OF EDUCATION MOI UNIVERSITY P. O. BOX 3900 - 30100 ELDORET OCTOBER 2008 ABSTRACT The study set out to investigate the influence of mother tongue and culture on the teaching and learning of English as a second language in primary day schools among the Isukha of western Kenya. It sought to identify the linguistic and cultural challenges facing the teaching of English and establish the effect of instructional methods. The study aimed at examining how the Isukha language and culture as reflected in its people‟s character, values and customs; their artistic endeavours and how they educate their children, affects the teaching and learning of English language in primary schools. The objectives of the study were to identify the linguistic and cultural challenges facing the teaching and learning of English language in primary day schools; establish the influence of instructional methods on the teaching and learning of English; identify the factors that hinder proficiency in English language in primary day schools among the Isukha. Systematic random and purposive sampling techniques were employed to select the study sample. The study sample comprised 20 mixed primary day schools selected through systematic random sampling from a total of 60 schools. 100 teachers of English selected through purposive sampling technique participated in the study. The study employed multidisciplinary approaches of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Data for the study was obtained from the teachers of English in primary day schools through interview schedule, self-administered questionnaire, as well as general observation. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study findings revealed that a child‟s first language and culture have educational value and role in formal education. Mother tongue is beneficial to a child‟s mental growth, personal development and educational progress. It was found out that pupils perform more successfully when instructional strategies acknowledge, respect and build upon the language and culture of the home. The study recommends that there is need to provide a greater and swifter move towards strengthening mother tongue education in order to create a solid literacy base for later education in English. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE ABSTRACT .......................................................................................................................................ii TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................................. iii LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................................. vi LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................................... vii DECLARATION .............................................................................................................................viii DECLARATION .............................................................................................................................viii DEDICATION .................................................................................................................................. ix ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................ x LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED IN THE STUDY ....................................... xi CHAPTER ONE ................................................................................................................................. 1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background to the Study ................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem .......................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................................. 7 1.4 Objectives of the Study ..................................................................................................... 8 1.5 Research Questions .......................................................................................................... 8 1.6 Assumptions of the Study ................................................................................................. 9 1.7 Significance of the Study .................................................................................................. 9 1.8 Justification of the Study ................................................................................................ 10 1.10 Scope of the Study ................................................................................................................ 11 1.11 Limitations of the Study........................................................................................................ 11 1.12 Theoretical/Conceptual Framework ...................................................................................... 12 1.12.1 Theories of Language Acquisition and Learning ............................................... 12 1.12.2 Social Learning Theory .................................................................................... 13 1.12.3 Contemporary Social Learning Theory of Reinforcement and Punishment ........ 14 1.12.4 Cognitive Factors in Social Learning ................................................................ 14 iii 1.12.5 Krashen‟s Theory of Language Learning .......................................................... 15 1.12.6 Conceptual Framework .................................................................................... 16 1.13 Summary .............................................................................................................................. 18 CHAPTER TWO .............................................................................................................................. 20 LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................................................................. 20 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 20 2.2 Language and Culture ............................................................................................................. 20 2.2.1 Age and Educational Background ........................................................................................ 21 2.2.2 Influence of Mother tongue on Teaching .............................................................................. 23 2.3 Uses of Language in Primary Schools ..................................................................................... 27 2.4 Paralinguistic and Non-linguistic Communication in Primary Schools ..................................... 30 2.5 Language and Gender in Primary Schools ............................................................................... 32 2.6 Review of Related Studies ...................................................................................................... 34 2.7 Summary ................................................................................................................................ 48 CHAPTER THREE .......................................................................................................................... 49 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY .............................................................................. 49 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 49 3.2 Research Design and Methodology ......................................................................................... 49 3.3 Study Area ............................................................................................................................. 50 3.4 Study Population .................................................................................................................... 50 3.5 Study Sample and Sampling Procedure ................................................................................... 51 3.6 Research Instruments .............................................................................................................. 53 3.6.1 Questionnaire ..................................................................................................... 53 3.6.2 Interview ........................................................................................................... 54 3.6.3 Observation ....................................................................................................... 56 3.6.4 Document Analysis ............................................................................................ 56 3.7 Validity and Reliability..........................................................................................................