THE INFLUENCE OF BILINGUALISM ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY AMONG THE 100 LEVEL STUDENTS OF ADAMAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, MUBI

ABSTRACT This study deals with how speaking two languages (bilingualism) affects students' ability to use English well. It focuses on 100-level students at Adamawa State University, Mubi. Many students in the university speak both their native language and English. The research asks an important question: Does speaking a local language help or disturb their English learning? To answer this, the study used both questionnaires and interviews. Students from different departments were selected to give their opinions and experiences. The results show that bilingualism has both good and bad effects. On one hand, it helps students think faster and understand languages better. On the other hand, it can also cause students to mix languages, make grammar mistakes, or choose the wrong words. The study found that when students know their first language well, they can also learn English more easily. This supports the idea that one language can help improve another. The research suggests that teachers should not ignore students’ native languages. Instead, schools should support students in using both languages in smart ways. If done right, bilingualism can be a strong tool for improving English skills. This study helps teachers, curriculum planners, and policymakers to understand how bilingualism shapes learning in multilingual societies like Nigeria.