STUDENTS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS LEARNING OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN AKOKO, ONDO STATE.

This study investigates students’ attitudes towards learning the English language in private and public secondary schools in Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria. English is the official language of education and administration in Nigeria, serving as the medium of instruction across subjects. However, differences in school environments, teacher competence, resources, and socio-economic background often shape students’ attitudes toward learning English. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population consisted of students and teachers in both private and public schools, from which a total of 200 students and 8 English teachers were selected using random and purposive sampling techniques. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on students’ motivation, confidence, challenges, and perceptions of English learning, alongside teachers’ views on influencing factors. Data were analysed using simple percentages and presented in tables. The findings revealed that students generally show a positive attitude towards learning English, with many expressing enjoyment and recognising its importance for future opportunities. However, challenges such as grammar difficulty, lack of confidence, mother-tongue interference, insufficient resources, and limited use of English outside the classroom hinder progress. Teachers observed that students in private schools demonstrated stronger motivation and better attitudes compared to their public-school counterparts, largely due to better facilities, smaller class sizes, and more parental support. The study concludes that while attitudes toward English are generally positive, disparities exist between private and public schools due to varying contextual factors The research recommends that teachers adopt more interactive and engaging teaching methods, parents should provide greater support for their children’s language learning, and government education authorities should strengthen policy implementation by addressing challenges such as inadequate resources, overcrowded classrooms, and limited teacher training. These measures will improve students’ attitudes and enhance English language learning outcomes in both private and public schools.