CAUSES OF DECLINING ENGLISH LANGUAGE PERFORMANCE IN EXTERNAL EXAMINATIONS: A CASE STUDY OF SOME SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ONDO WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ONUO STATE

The research critically examined the causes of declining English language performance in external examinations: A case study of selected secondary schools in Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State. This study adopted the descriptive survey research design. Simple random sampling technique was adopted in which one hundred students were selected from the sampled secondary schools. The instrument used for the study. was a questionnaire designed by the researcher titled “Questionnaire on the causes of declining English language performance in external examinations. A case study of selected secondary schools in Ondo West Local Government Arca of Ondo State". Findings of the study revealed that teachers teaching methods should be improved for the betterment of students' academic achievement. The study therefore concluded that appointment of the English language teachers should be on English subject-based. A comparatively small class gives the teacher chance to do well and consequently monitor the advancement of the stud nts. So, if there is any difficulty in the learning procedure it could be tackled at the primary stage. Moreover, a small number of students in the class facilitates the instructor to simply deal with them. Similarly, school facilities enable the teacher to achieve his task and help the students to learn English language. It is therefore recommended that the government may organize in-service courses and seminars for English teachers so that they are updated on new approaches and methodologies for teaching at secondary level also. District administration may provide schools with the needed teaching and learning materials to facilitate the teaching and learning process at secondary school level and principals/headmasters may take the opportunity to encourage parents to be actively involved in their children's education at the secondary school level.