ENGLISH STUDIES IN IGBO LAND: THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 MENACE IN ORLU AND AWKA

Abstract

Teaching is a sine-qua-non of human existence on earth as human beings are taught from the cradle for survival. Hence, the teaching of English language is a bedrock of communication and the medium of social relation in every modern and developing society. English like every other language is associated with numerous challenges. The brain behind this research is to investigate the factors influencing the teaching and learning of the English in the Covid-19 era in selected secondary schools in the Orlu and Awka parts of Igbo land with their accompanying remedies. Some of the factors associated with the teaching and learning of English language can be linked to the inefficiency of teachers, a high influx of unfamiliar words into the lexicon of the language, disinterestedness posed by economic instability, retrenchment of English language teachers, unqualified teachers, time streaming and shift in timing of classes. The data for this study are collected through questionnaires and oral interviews. Up to one hundred questionnaires were administered. Our investigation reveals that the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has an adverse effect on the teaching and learning of the English language in this part of the world. It also poses a serious setback in the performance of students on the language during examinations which is a prerequisite for their further studies. This work also reveals that the setback experienced in English language teaching/learning adversely affects the interaction of students with their contemporaries and subsequently, stunts the growth and development of the Igbo students for individual and national development.