EFFECT OF MOTHER TONGUE ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS IN OJO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF LAGOS STATE

ABSTRACT This project examined the Effect Of Mother Tongue On The Academic Achievement In English Language Among Primary School Pupils In Ojo Local Government Area Of Lagos State. Four research questions and four hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The sample size for the study were 20 pupils selected from 5 primary schools in Ojo LGA. The descriptive survey research method was adopted in carrying out the study while the Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) statistical tool was employed in data analysis. The findings of this study were as follows:Mother tongue has a significant effect on the pronunciation of vowel sounds among primary school pupils; Mother tongue has a significant effect on the pronunciation of consonant sounds among primary school pupils; Mother tongue has a significant effect on the intonation of primary school pupils; Mother tongue effect the syntax of primary school pupils. The following recommendations were made: Enough time should be made available for the teaching of oral English. Adequate time allotment is one way the goal of effective communication in the language can be achieved; Emphasis should also be laid on stress and intonation right from the primary school; Teachers’ motivation of the pupil’s is necessary, especially in encouraging the pupils to use Received Pronunciation even when they are been made jest of by their fellow pupils. They should be made to understand that English is not just a subject to be passed during examinations but that the ability to express one clearly and to be understood by the native speakers of English is the ultimate goal; Teachers and educated parents should always pay attention correct children’s errors in pronunciation, syntax and intonation immediately those errors are made; Teachers must continually update their knowledge within their discipline. They must keep information about new methods and materials that will make their teaching more effective. Keywords: Mother Tongue, Pronunciation, Academic Achievement, Teachers, Intonation.