ABSTRACT

This study was carried out with an aim of finding out the influence of mother tongue and performance of English language in Kivaa Primary school in Kenya. The study objectively sought; to find out how mother tongues influence on the students' performance in English language in Kivaa Primary school in Kenya, to identify reasons as to why different students with different mother tongues perform differently in English language in Kivaa Primary school in Kenya, to classify the different mother tongues in relation to English language in Kivaa Primary school in Kenya. Data were collected mainly through the use, questionnaires. -The study involved a total of 50 respondents that is; Head teachers, female teachers, male teachers, parents, and Pupils were sampled, these were all involved in the school's activities at different levels. The study found that, teaching reading helps pupils and teachers to communicate and associate with each other more easily because it involves the recognition of letters, words phrases and clauses and in some esteem, it can be considered a simpler process than intellectual capacity. Understanding on the other hand is a process of agreeing, understanding between the reader and the writer. In conclusion, it was asserted that the English has many aims; it is a medium of exchange in Uganda, an official language used by pupils in answering examinations both internal and external but its teaching has not been as effective as the study revealed. Finally, a number of recommendations were suggested that; Teachers should ensure that they use a variety of methods to make reading skills more effective in the education system; more emphasis should be put on the teachers on the teaching of reading skills to pupils in primary schools because of its role in education, Parents or guardians should always work together with the teachers in primary schools to ensure that children are provided with the necessary school requirements because absence of such materials affects their performance.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

CHAPTER ONE ......................... ........................... .. .................................................... .. ............. O 

1.0 Introduction .... ............................ .. ............................................................. ............. .............. 0 

1.1 Background to the study ....................................................................................................... 0 

1.2 Statement of the problem .................... .... .............................................................................. I 

1.3 Purpose of the study ................... .. ....... .. .... ........................................................................... 2 

1.4 Specific objectives of the study ...................... ................ ..................................................... . 2 

1.5 Research questions ............................... : ............. .. ................................................................ 2 

I.The Scope of the study ............................................................................................................ 2 

1.6.1 Geographical Scope ....... .. ............ .... ................................................................................. 2 

1.6.2 Period Scope ...................................................................................................................... 3 

1.6.3 Group ofpeople ........... .. ............. .................................. .. ................................................... 3 

1.6.4 Subject scope ..................... ...... .. .. ............................................... .............................. .. .. ..... 3 

1. 7 Significance of the study ...................................................................................................... 3 

CHAPTER TWO ....................................................................... ................................................. 5 

LITERATURE REVIEW .............. ........................... ........... ............. ... .. .... .................... ............. 5 

2.0 Introduction .. .. .................................................... ............... .............................................. ..... 5 

2.1 How mother tongue influences on the students' performance in English language ............ 5 

2.2 Relationship between mother tongue and English as a language towards performance ...... 7 

2.3 Classification of different mother tongues in relation to English language ......................... 8 

2.4 Knowledge gap .. .................................. ............................................................................... 10 

CHAPTER THREE .................................................. .. .... ... ............ ... ... ....... ..... ......................... 11 

3.0 METHODOLOGY ............................................................ ................................................. 11 

3 .1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. .. ..... 11 

3 .2 Research design ............................................................................................................ .. .... 11 

3.3 Area of the study ............................................................................................................. .... 11 

3 .4 Population of the study .................... .... ............................................................................... 11 

3.5 Sample procedure .. ....................................................................................... ...................... 11 

3.5.1 Sample size ...................................................................................................................... 11 

3.6 Data collection methods ..................................................................................................... 12 

3.6.1 Interviews .............. ........... ................... .. .................................................... .. ................... . 12 

3.6.2 Observation ........................ ....................................... ... .................................................... 12 

3.6.3 Questionnaires ......................... ........................................................ ................................ 13 

3.7 Reliability and validity ................................. ............................................. ......... ............ .... 13 

3.8 Procedure for data collection .............................................................................................. 13 

3.9 Data processing .............................. .................................... .. .. ............. ................... ............. 14 

3.9.1 Editing and spot checking ................................................................................................ 14 

3.9.2 Coding .............................................................................. ............. ...... .. .......... ................ 14 

3.10 Data analysis ..................................................................................................................... 14 

3 .11 Anticipated Limitations of the study ............................... ................................................. 14 

CHAPTER FOUR ......... ................ ................................................... .. ...................................... 16 

4.0 PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS .................... 16 

4.2 Introduction ....................................... ....... ................................................. ... ...................... 16 

4.2 BACKGROUND INFORMATION .... ............... .. ..................................... ........................ . 16 

CHAPTER FIVE ................................................... ..... .................................. ........................ .. .. 27 

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS, DISCUSSIONS, CONCLUSION AND 

RECOMMENDATIONS ................................ ...... ....................................... ...... .... ......... .......... 27 

5.0 Introduction ........... .. ................ ...... ........................... .......................................................... 27 

5.1 Summary of key findings .... .................................. ... .......................................................... 27 

5.2 Discussion of the findings .................................................................................................. 27 

5.2.2 Research question two: To what extent does lack of teaching materials affect pupils to 

learn reading skills in English language? ................................................................................. 28 

5.2.3 Research question three: What are the possible means and ways of improving quality 

and quantity of teaching materials to instill reading skills in English language? ..... ................ 29 

5.3 Summary ......... .... ................................................ ... ... .... ...................................................... 30 

5.4 Conclusion ................................................................. ......................................................... 31 

5.5 Recommendations .............................................................................................................. 31 

5 .6 Areas for further research ....... ......................................................................... ................... 31 

REFERENCES: .............. .................... ............................................................. ........................ . 33