An Assessment of The Metacognitive Strategies Among Igbo-English Students in Umuahia, Abia State
Ugo-Ochulo, N. I.
Author
Ugo-Ochulo, N. I.
Abstract
This research examines the metacognitive learning strategies of SS2 students in Umuahia,
Abia State, Nigeria, studying English as a second language. The study assessed the strategies
the students employed in planning their English learning activities in advance, setting
academic goals and arranging the appropriate conditions for second language learning. It
also investigated the strategies the students used to improve their performance in English.
The Theoretical Framework applied is the Communicative Language Teaching Theory.
Three secondary schools selected from the three Local Government Areas in Umuahia,
respectively, are used for the study. An adapted form of the Strategy Inventory for Language
Learning (SILL, version 7.0), developed by Oxford (1990) is used in eliciting data. The
adapted measurement tool has four-point likert scale as follows: Strongly Agree (SA), Agree
(A), Disagree (D), Strongly Disagree (SD). It is a self-reporting, standardized questionnaire
for language learning strategies. Asample size of 120 respondents was used for the research.
In addition to the questionnaire, the respondents were made to write an essay entitled “what I
do before, during and after an English lesson”. The data from the questionnaire were
analyzed quantitatively. The essay writing was content-analyzed and the results were put in
percentages and pie charts for better pictorial representation. The results from the
questionnaire indicated that the respondents have high metacognitive learning strategies.
However, the results from the essay writing revealed generally low metacognitive learning
strategies. If both results are placed side by side, one may conclude that the metacognitive
strategies of the students are average. Another discovery the study made is that some of the
students do not take down notes as their English lesson goes on and they do not also have
personal reading timetable. The study recommends the teaching of metacognitive strategies
to the students, especially note taking and making for effective learning.
Keywords
Assessment, Language, Learning, Strategies, Metacognition, Igbo, English, Materials
Introduction
As a result of the British colonization of Nigeria, English became a second and official
language in the country. Also, because of the multiplicity of languages and ethnic groups,
English was adopted as a Lingua Franca. English has “become the major medium for interethnic communication, Government, political activities, advertising industries, constitution,
National Assembly, law courts, examinations and post primary education, among others”
(Essien, 2017, p.65).
Content
English is the medium of impacting knowledge in most primary schools, especially
private schools, as well as a core subject in both primary and secondary schools. Students
need to have a credit pass in English to be admitted to study most courses in Nigerian
Universities. Hence, there is the need to learn English. Students need to devise different
learning strategies to self-direct their learning of English. Language learning strategies are
“the deliberate acts or activities which learners employ to learn language” (Ugorji, 2020, p.
90). There are various steps or techniques which help learners to learn, store and retrieve
language information when needed. Learners take those conscious steps to improve their
performance in English. As a matter of fact, language learning strategies are as a result of the
paradigm shift from teacher and teaching to learner and learning, targeted at learner
autonomy. Learner – autonomy has to do with “coordinating various strategies to assist
learners to become highly motivated and effective learners and users of knowledge” (Ugorji,
2020, pp.90-91). In essence, learners take responsibility for their learning.
Oxford (1990) categorized learning strategies into six. They are memory, cognitive,
compensation, metacognitive, affective and social strategies. Oxford further classified the
first three strategies as direct strategies because they directly involve the target language and
the last three as indirect strategies because they play supportive role in language learning.
The focus of this paper is on metacognitive strategies because they appear to be the
foundation on which other strategies operate...
Conclusion
The conclusion can be found in the main file..
References
References are available in the main file..