THE IMPORTANCE OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN THE TEACHING AND LEARNING OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN ABA SOUTH LGA

Abstract

The study is on the importance of instructional materials in teaching English language in Primary Schools in Aba-South Local Government Area in Abia State. The work is based on Jean Piaget’s theory on child development which emphasizes that the purpose of learning is to enable a child to adapt to changes in his environment as he grows up. The aim of this study is to highlight the importance of instructional materials in the teaching learning situation while fully acknowledging that the provision and use of instructional materials are in the best interest of the child. The population of this study is made up of teachers and pupils of seven primary schools in Aba-South Local Government Area in Abia State. A simple random sampling technique was used to choose the population for the study. The instrument for data collection is structured questionnaire. The information obtained from the instrument administered on the respondents was analyzed on a simple mathematical percentage. The data were presented on four tables and each dealt with a particular research question. The research work reveals that schools need instructional materials for effective teaching and learning of English; and that schools do not have enough qualified teachers to handle the available instructional materials. Again, most of the teachers do not produce locally made materials for teaching English language. The research recommends the need to emphasize the acquisition of some knowledge in the use of instructional materials in Nigerian schools by the teachers. Furthermore, that writers of English language textbooks should be encouraged to include instructional materials needed for each topic and how these materials should be used by the teacher(s) when teaching, while the ministry of education, Parents/Teachers Associations should be involved in the provision of funds for the purchase of instructional materials as well as the establishment of educational resource centers in every town to enable teachers and pupils have access to instructional materials.