ABSTRACT

The study dealt with the Factors Impeding the Effective Learning of Mechanical Accuracy among Secondary Schools in Onitsha North of Anambra State. Four research questions guided the study.  The literature review was done in four sub-headings: Conceptual framework; theoretical framework; review of empirical studies and summary of literature review.  The study adopted a survey research design.  The population of the study was all the students of public secondary schools in Onitsha North L.G.A. The sample was 100 hundred students were selected.  The instrument for data collection was a well structured observation questions.  Discourse was used for the analysis of the data.  The study revealed that factors that are responsible for difficulties that students face in learning mechanical accuracy include but not excluded to; teachers’ non-qualification to teach the English language, poor standard of texts provided for the teaching of the English language, among others and that the commonest errors among the students are that of tenses, concord, and capitalization, among other findings. The educational implications, recommendations, and suggestions for further studies were equally highlighted.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1

Chapter One

Introduction-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2

Background to the Study ---------------------------------------------------------------------------2

Statement of the Problem --------------------------------------------------------------------------5

Purpose of the Study --------------------------------------------------------------------------------6

Significant of the Study ----------------------------------------------------------------------------6

Scope of the Study ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------8

Research Questions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------8

Chapter Two

Review of Related Literature ---------------------------------------------------------------------9

Conceptual Framework ---------------------------------------------------------------------------9

Mechanical Accuracy -----------------------------------------------------------------------------9
Error ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10

Sources of Errors ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------10

The Difference between Errors and Mistakes ------------------------------------------------15

Error Analysis ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16

Written English -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------17

Writing ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------18

Brief History of Writing -------------------------------------------------------------------------19

Inventions of Writing ----------------------------------------------------------------------------20

Writing Systems ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------22

Standard Written English -----------------------------------------------------------------------22

Relationship with Spoken Forms --------------------------------------------------------------23

Composition ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------24

Other Basis on which a Composition is Considered --------------------------------------25

The Concept of Learning ---------------------------------------------------------------------27

The Concept of Teaching --------------------------------------------------------------------29

Theoretical Framework ----------------------------------------------------------------------31

Behaviourist Theory --------------------------------------------------------------------------32

Education --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------34

Radical Behaviourism -----------------------------------------------------------------------34

Relation to Language ------------------------------------------------------------------------35

Classical Conditioning ----------------------------------------------------------------------36

Operant Conditioning -----------------------------------------------------------------------37

Social Learning Theory --------------------------------------------------------------------38

Review of Empirical Studies --------------------------------------------------------------39

Summary of Literature Review -----------------------------------------------------------41

                                                     Chapter Three

Research Method ---------------------------------------------------------------------------42

Research Design ----------------------------------------------------------------------------42

Area of the Study ---------------------------------------------------------------------------42

Population of the Study --------------------------------------------------------------------43

Sample and Sampling Techniques -------------------------------------------------------44

Validation of Instrument ------------------------------------------------------------------45

Reliability of the Instrument -------------------------------------------------------------45

Method of Data Collection ---------------------------------------------------------------45

                                                  Chapter Four                                                     

Presentation of Results and Data Analysis --------------------------------------------46

Research Questions ---------------------------------------------------------------------46

Summary of the Major Findings ------------------------------------------------------49