Abstract

IMPROVING JUNIOR SECONDARY STUDENTS? INTEREST IN ALGEBRAIC WORD PROBLEMS USING IGBO LANGUAGE AS A MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

Iji, C. O; Okoronkwo, M. and Anyor, J. W.

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Abstract This study investigated how the use of Igbo Language as a medium of instruction improved junior secondary school students? interest in algebraic word problems. Quasi- experimental design of pretest posttest control group type was adopted. Population of the study was 2,114 with sample size of 212 Junior Secondary One Students from four Secondary Schools, in Umuahia metropolis, Abia State. Two Secondary Schools were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups, respectively. Two research questions and two null hypotheses were equally asked and tested respectively. Instrument of the study, Algebraic Word Problem Interest questionnaire (AWPIQ) was validated by experts and trial-tested using Cronbach Alpha (?) with a reliability coefficient of 0.99. Descriptive statistic of mean and standard deviation was used to answer all the research questions and inferential statistic (ANCOVA) was used to test all the research hypotheses. It was found that Junior Secondary one Students? interest in algebraic word problems improved when taught using Igbo language as medium of instruction. Also, there was no significant gender difference. Hence, the use of Igbo language as medium of instruction enhanced Junior Secondary One Students? Interest in Algebraic Word Problems irrespective of their gender. Recommendations such as school authorities encouraging their Mathematics teachers to use students? first language as medium of instruction in teaching school Mathematics at the lower level of education was made among others. Also, suggestion such asother researchers being encouraged to replicate this research with other indigenous language of the learners was made. Key words: Interest, Algebraic word problem, Igbo Language, Junior secondary school

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