Effect of Mother Tongue on Learning Kiswahili Language in Public Secondary Schools in Kwanza Sub-County, Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya
Abstract
The study investigated the effect of Mother Tongue on Learning Kiswahili Language in Public Secondary Schools in Kwanza Sub-County, Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya. The study was guided by Weinreich’s (1953) theory of first language acquisition and second language learning. The theory focuses on interference defining it as those instances of deviation from the norms of either language which occur in the speech of bilingual as a result of their familiarity with more than one language. This theory has been applauded by linguists such as Gass and Selinker (2008) who assume that in the SLA, learners create a language system known as an Interlanguage. In this study, survey design was used to explore effect of interlanguage on learning of Kiswahili language in public secondary schools in Kwanza Sub-County, Trans-Nzoia County. Data collection involved administration of questionnaires, observation schedule, interview schedule and document analysis. In this research, stratified sampling was used in selecting schools. Schools sampled were: four streamed, three streamed, double streamed and single streamed. The principals and teachers of Kiswahili of sampled schools were sampled purposively. Simple random sampling technique was used in the selection of streams in multiple streamed schools. The form three students were simple randomly selected to form part of the sample. Descriptive statistics was used in analyzing data. These included percentages and frequencies. The study found out that the use of interlanguage negatively affected the learning of Kiswahili language. In addition, the study established that both teachers and students had positive attitude towards Kiswahili language. Therefore, teachers should capitalize on the positive attitude to assist students do well in Kiswahili subject. The study also found out that school language policy negatively affected performance of Kiswahili language since it was biased giving preference to English use. The study also established that students were allocated limited time to speak in Kiswahili. The use of Sheng’ negatively affects the learning of Kiswahili in secondary schools. Lastly, teachers mostly used direct method and question and answer method than any other methods of teaching Kiswahili.
Downloads
References
Abdulaziz, M., H. & Osinde, (1997).Sheng and English: Development of Mixed Codes among the Youths in Kenya.International Journal of the Sociology of Language. Berlin: Allemagne.
Allan, K. (1979). Nation Tribalism and National Languages: The problem of Choosing a National Language in a Multilingual nation like Nigeria. Journal of the language Associate of Eastern Africa (JLAEA)
Asher, J., J. (1996). Learning Another Language Through Action. Los Gatos CA:Sky Oaks Productions.
Barasa, L., P. (2005). English Language Teaching in Kenya: Policy, Training and Practice. Eldoret: MoiUniversity Press.
Bickerton , D. (1974). Globalization, Linguistic universals Natural Semantics and the Brain.Working papers, 6 No 3, 1 Department of Linguistics, University of Hawaii.
Bosire, M. (2005).Hybrid Languages: The Case of Sheng Albany. New York: State University.
Bryne, D. (1976).Teaching Oral English.London:Longman Publishers.
Burchfield, R. (1985). The English Language.Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Chimerah, R. (1998).Kiswahili: Past, Present and Future Horizons. Nairobi:University Press.
Corson, (1990) .Language policy Across the Curriculum Multilingual Matters. England: Longman publishers.
Cordes, S. P. (1981). Errors analysis, in Allen, J. L. P and Corder, S. P (1974).Techniques in Applied Linguistics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Coulter, K. (1968).Linguistic Error-Analysis of the spoken English of Two Native Russian.(Unpublished M.A. Thesis) in Richards J.C. (1989) Error Analysis: Perspective on Language Acquisition. UK: Longman Group Ltd.
Cummins, J. (1996).Negotiating identities: Education for Empowerment in a Diverse Society. Ontario: CABE.
Duley, H.,Burt, M.&Krashen, S. (1982).Language Two.Oxford:Oxford University Press.
Gass, M., S. &Selinker, L. (2008).Second Language Acquisition.An IntroductionCourse.
Githiora, C. (2002).Sheng: Peer Language, Swahili Dialect or Emerging Creole? Journal of African Cultural Studies.. London:Routledge.
Gorman, T. P. (1974). The Development of Language Policy in German East Africa language in Kenya. Nairobi: Oxford University Press.
Hawkins, E. (1987).Modern Languages in the Curriculum in Modern Language Teaching, Choice and the National Curriculum.London: Acts Publishers.
Ireri, M. (1988).Kiswahili LughayaTaifa.Nairobi: Kenya Literature Bureau.
Ireri, M. (1995).UsanifishajiwaMakosakatika Kiswahili. Nairobi: Longman.
Ireri, M. (1996).Language Policy in East Africa: dependence theory perspective, Nairobi: General Printer Ltd.
Ipara, I. (1993) SilabasiMpyayaKiswhailiyaSekondarynchini Kenya.{Unpublished Mphil Thesis).Eldoret: Moi University.
Jack, R., F. & Norman, E., W. (2010) (7thed.). How to Design and Evaluate Research in Education. New York:McGRAW- HILL International Edition.
Karan, E., W. (1996).Oral communication in Kiswahili Classes in Kenya.A survey of FormThree Lesson in Kakamega District.Eldoret: Moi University.
Kembo-Sure &Ogechi N., O. (2006).Language Planning for Development in Africa.Eldoret: Moi University Press.
Kenya Institute of Education, (2006). Kiswahili Sekondari: MwongozowaMwalimu. TaasisiYaElimu, Kenya.
Koum, F. (1981).A study of Problems Faced by Teachers of English in Congo.
Krashen,S. (1982). Principles and Practice in Second Languages Acquisition and SecondLanguage Learning. New York: Macmillan Publisher Press.
Lado, R. (1957). Contrastive Analysis: Linguistics across Cultures in Cook V. (1993). Linguistic and Second Language Acquisition. Nairobi: The Macmillan Press Ltd.
Lacey, M. (2004).Programming African’s linguistic Needs.A Move to Wire Vancty of toughes. New York: Herald Tribune Nov 14:2
Mazrui&Mazrui (1996).The Political Culture of Language; Swahili Society and the State.Binghamton: The Institute of Global Cultural Studies. New York: State University of New York.
Mairun Jenifer (2011). Politicians who can speak sheng are able to harvest votes from the Youths. Nairobi: Daily Nation
Mugenda O. and Mugenda A. (2003).Research Methods, Quantitative and QualitativeApproach.Nairobi: Acts Press.
Mukwa C. W and Too, J. K (2002).General Instruction Methods.Eldoret: Moi University Press.
Momanyi, C. (2009).The Effects of Sheng in the Teaching of Kiswahili in Kenyan Schools.Daily Nation, Tuesday 21, 2012. Nation Media Group Limited. Nairobi. Nation Media Group.
Mwangi, E.(January 5, 2011). Sheng will be one of the most dominant languages in 2050. Nairobi: Daily Nation Media Group Limited.
Musau, P., M. (1992).The Strategies of Kiswahili Learners: Overgeneralization andTransfer in Maseno Journal of Educational Arts and Science. Kisumu: Maseno University.
Muthwii, M., J. (2002) (ed.). Language Policy and Practices in Education in Kenya and Uganda. Kampala: Phoenix Publishers.
Njuguna, S. (1998).The relationship between attitudes and academic achievement in Sciencesubject of form four students in Kigumo Division, Kenya.(Unpublished, M. Phil Thesis).Eldoret:Moi University.
Njogu, K. &Kitula, K. (2010). KCPE: Sheng’ Blamed as CandidatesPost PoorResults. Nairobi: Nation Media Group.
NgugiwaThiong’o, (1993).Moving the Centre: The Struggle for Cultural Freedoms.Nairobi: EAP.
Nyaga, C. M. (1994).Motivating Factors in Kiembu, Kiswahili code choice and code
Switching - A case study of Kavutiri Secondary School- EmbuMoi University (Unpublished Mphil Thesis) Eldoret: Moi University.
Obanya, P. (1999).Popular Fallacies on the use of African Languages in Education inNorthern. Alexander (ed.). Language in development in Africa: Social Dynamic and Special issues Vol.25.
Ogechi, N., O. (2003).Language Rights of Kenya. Nordic Journal of African studies 12(3). Moi University.
Ogechi, N., O. (2005).Lexicalization in Sheng.Nordic Journal of African Studies.
Omulando, C. (2002).The effect of Kiswahili in the use of English as medium of instruction and language in Kenyan secondary schools: A case study of secondary schools in Bungoma District, (Unpublished Mphil Thesis). Eldoret: MoiUniversity.
Owiti, D., S., O. (2001). Gender Difference in attitude towards Mathematics: A case study of Secondary School Students in Eldoret Municipality UasinGishu District.(Unpublished Mphil Thesis).Eldoret: Moi University.
Oso W. and Onen D. (2005). A General Guide to Writing Research proposal and Report: A handbook for Beginning Researches. Kisumu: Option Press and Publishers.
Reyes, I. (2004).Functions of Code Switching in School Children’s Conversation.
Bilinguals Research Journal 28 (1)
Ryanga, S., A. (1996).MasaibuYanayozinga Kiswahili Sanifu Nchini Kenya. Nairobi: Kenyatta University.
Selinko, L. (1992). Rediscovering Interlanguage. London: Longman publishers.
Selinker, L. (1972). Interlanguage.IRAL.10209-231.
Selionker L. (2014). Interlanguage theory TESOl Class, 12 August 2014 en wikipdia org/wiki/lanyselinker.
Selinker L. University of Michingan. Retrieve 2 August 2013. En Wikipedia free dictionary.
Shitemi, I., N. & Mwanakomo, N.,N. (2001).Kiswahili a Tool for Development: The Multidisciplinary Approach. Eldoret: Moi University.
Richards, J., C. (1974).”Social Factors, Interlanguge and Language Learning” in ErrorAnalysis, Perspective in Second Language Acquisition. Burnt Mill: Longman.
Richards, J., C. (1989). Error Analysis: Perspectives on Second Language Acquisition
UK: Longman Group Ltd.
Rubagumya, C. (1994). Teaching and Researching Language: in African Classroom, Multilingual Matters. New York:Clevedon.
Wanyonyi, D., W. (1999).Ushamirishajiwa Kiswahili katika Shuleza Upilikatika Tarafa Kati WilayaniBungoma. Eldoret: Moi University.
Webb,V. &Kembo, S.,E. (2000). African Voices: An introduction to the Languages andLinguistics of Africa. Johannesburg: Oxford University Press.
Weinreich,(1953). Reproduced in Cook, V. (1993) Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition. New York: The Macmillan Press Ltd.
Copyright (c) 2020 IJRDO - Journal of Educational Research (ISSN: 2456-2947)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Author(s) and co-author(s) jointly and severally represent and warrant that the Article is original with the author(s) and does not infringe any copyright or violate any other right of any third parties, and that the Article has not been published elsewhere. Author(s) agree to the terms that the IJRDO Journal will have the full right to remove the published article on any misconduct found in the published article.
