Abstract

IMPROVING JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS? ACHIEVEMENT IN ALGEBRAIC WORD PROBLEMS USING IGBO LANGUAGE AS A MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

Iji, C. O;Okoronkwo, M. &Anyor, J. W

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Abstract This study investigated,improving junior secondary School students? achievement in algebraic word problems using Igbo language as a medium of instruction in Abia State. Quasi- experimental design of pretest posttest control group type was adopted. Population of the study was 2,114 with sample size of 212 Junior Secondary One Students from four Secondary Schools, in Umuahia metropolis, Abia State. Two Secondary Schools were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups, respectively. Two research questions and two null hypotheses guided this study. Instrument of the study, Algebraic Word Problem Achievement Test (AWPAT) was validated by experts and trial-tested usingKuder-Richardson formula K-R20with a reliability coefficient of 0.81. Descriptive statistic of mean and standard deviation was used to answer all the research questions and inferential statistic (ANCOVA) was used to test all the research hypotheses. It was found that Junior Secondary one Students? interestin algebraic word problems improved when taught using Igbo language as medium of instruction. Also, there was no significant gender difference. Hence, the use of Igbo language as medium of instruction enhanced Junior Secondary One Students?Achievement in Algebraic Word Problems irrespective of their gender. Recommendations such as school authorities should encourage their mathematics teachers to use students? first language as medium of instruction in teaching school mathematics at the lower level of education was made among others. Also, suggestion such asother researchers should be encouraged to replicate this research with other indigenous language of the learners was made. Key words: Achievement, Algebraic word problem, Igbo Language, Junior secondary school

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