Identification and Analysis of Problem of Word Recognition in Reading among JSS Students in Gwgwalada and Kwali Area Councils of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

Abstract

This study was designed to identify and analyse problem of word recognition in reading among junior secondary school (JSS) students in Gwagwalada and Kwali Area Councils of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The study adopted a survey research design. The population for the study was 4,535 JSS II students. 3 research questions and 2 null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The instruments used for data collection was English language reading passage developed by the researcher. To ensure validity of the instrument, the instrument was subjected to face validation by English language teachers in FCT College of Education Zuba, Abuja. The reliability coefficient computed for the instrument was found to be 0.75 using Cronbach Alpha formula. Frequency and Mean was used to answer the research questions; while t-test statistics was employed to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The study found out that that the junior secondary school students committed errors in word recognitions during reading and male students had more problems in word recognitions during reading than the female students. The study also found out that there was no significant difference between the errors committed by male and female students in reading. Consequently, it was recommended among others that stakeholders in education should provide facilities like library and teaching aids that can encourage students reading competence and improve their performance in English language. Teachers should pay particular attention to the teaching of reading in English Language.