CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Nigeria is an Anglophone country that is surrounded by francophone countries (Niger Republic in the North, Tchad in the North-East, Cameroon in the East and Benin Republic in the West). For effective interaction with the neighbouring countries, Nigerian citizens need the knowledge of French language. In fact, Onyemelukwe and Adie Offiong (2004) described Nigeria as “an Anglophone country in a sea of francophony” Nigerian citizens do not only need the knowledge of French language to be able to communicate with the neighboring countries but also to be able to interact with the francophone world entirely. In spite of the above- mentioned opportunities, French language is still given little recognition in Nigeria. In the early sixties, French language was introduced into the education of the country after the extinction of Latin language. The language was held in a relatively high esteem then compared with how it is handled today. In the seventies and eighties, expatriates were brought into the country to come and teach the language in the secondary schools throughout the country. Since early nineties, Nigerian government has started deemphasizing the teaching of the language.

Nowadays, French teachers are no more employed in the secondary schools and the already existing ones are made to teach some other subjects like English language, literature in English and some other subjects.

This attitude of the government has made both the parents and the students to have an aversion for the language. Many of the parents now consider French language learning as a waste of time. Consequently, the students to pay very little or no attention to French as a subject in the few schools (mostly private schools) where the language is still taught today. This attitude has led many French graduates into unemployment.

The study in this regard wishes to carry out an analysis of the problem associated with teaching French language in secondary schools.

1.2 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

What really instigated the study on an analysis of the problem of teaching French in secondary schools was due to high level of failure in French subjects but in external and internal examinantion. The problem is now telling seriously on the departments of French in the three colleges of education in Oyo state. Very few students voluntarily enroll for French language as a course. The departments now depend on prelim programme so as to have some students in the departments. The few students that are now offering the language are handling the course with levity because they consider it as a course that cannot guarantee them a better future. In this research work, effort has been made to research on the following problems. The attitude ofthe government, that of the parents and the students vis-à-vis the French language was researched into. Also, the adequacy of infrastructures on ground for the teaching and learning was researched into. Another area touched in the research is the mode of admission into the three colleges of education. After studying, every student will nurse the hope of securing an employment. This also made the researcher to treat the problem of joblessness on the part of the French graduates. The above problems and a host of the others were researched into.

1.3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

The main aim of the research work is to carry out an analysis of the problem associated with the teaching of French language in secondary school. Other specific objectives of the study include:

1.   The determine the problem faced by French students in the study of French language

2.   To investigate on the factors affecting the teaching efficiency of French teachers in secondary schools in Oyo state

3.   To find out ways of solving the problems faced by secondary school students in the study of French language

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The study came up with research question so as to ascertain the above stated objectives of the study. The research questions for the study for the study are stated below as follows:

1.   What is the problem faced by French students in the study of French language?

2.   What are the factors affecting the teaching efficiency of French teachers in secondary schools in Oyo state?

3.   What are the ways of solving the problems faced by secondary school students in the study of French language?

1.5 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H0: Teacher’s quality has no significant effect on the teaching efficiency of French language in secondary schools in Oyo, State

H1: Teacher’s quality has significant effect on the teaching efficiency of French language in secondary schools in Oyo, State

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY   

          The significance of the study lays in the fact that adequate teaching and knowledge of the French language would go a long way in helping to produce students who are proficient in the language. The use of French language as a medium, of instruction in the school will enhance the skills of the students by so doing. The findings of the project will help to guide others school which have similar problems. The importance of this research work is that, it will provide necessary ways and means in which the problems could best be tackled and providing enlightenment campaign to the public on French education and equipping them with the usefulness of French education in Nigeria.

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study on analysis of the problem associated with the teaching of French language in secondary schools is limited secondary schools in Oyo, State.

1.8 LIMITATION OF STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

For the purpose of this study, the following terms are defined thus:

Parents: the father and mother of any child.

Attitude: the opinions and feelings that you usually have about something.

Education: means formal and informal training of an individual to acquire such knowledge and abilities in such a way that a new character or mental power is achieved from such feelings.

Literate parents: parents who acquired any formal knowledge and skills under the guidance of a school.

Illiterate parents: parents who are unable to read and write.

Income: money which are received regularly for ones daily spending usually payments for one work or interest from investment.  

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