Kimeru Proficiency among Primary School in Meru Central District
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Date
2013-04-22
Authors
Ntalala, Godfrey Safari
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Abstract
The critical role that literacy plays in the everyday lives of people in Kenya as
elsewhere around the world is indisputable. Literacy is intimately connected to
language. Literacy presupposes language; one becomes literate in a language or
languages. Pupils who have not fully acquired literacy skills in their first language
have limited background skills to bring to the task of learning a second language.
Furthermore, when a language is reduced in its function, which happens in case of a
shift towards the majority language(s), generally speakers will become less proficient
in it.
This study focused on assessment of the levels of Kimeru proficiency among lower
primary school pupils in Meru Central District. It sought to identify the factors
affecting these levels of proficiency, how it relates to language use and its impact to
the task of learning other languages. The study was conducted in five primary schools
in Meru Central District using a descriptive research design. The target population
comprised of thirty standard four pupils from three public primary schools and twenty
teachers from both public and private schools while the research instruments were
Kirneru proficiency tests, focused group discussions and questionnaires.
Data was analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods. The analysis was
presented using descriptive statistics such as tables, percentages and graphs. The study
found out that due to several factors, there are low levels of Kimeru proficiency
among primary school pupils in Meru Central District. Given the role of L1 in
learning other languages, the pupils will have difficulties learning English and
accessing the curriculum.
This work is presented in five chapters. Chapter one introduces the study, chapter two
reviews related literature while chapter three examines the research methodology
employed. Chapter four focuses on data presentation and analysis while chapter five
gives a summary of the findings, conclusions and recommendations.
Description
Department of English & Linguistics, 89 p. The PL 8513 .S2 2010
Keywords
Kimeru language --Study and teaching (elementary) --Kenya --Meru Central District, Language and languages --Kenya --Meru Central District