Factors influencing students' writing skills in English: A case study of selected secondary schools in Rubaga Division, Kampala District

Abstract

English language is the most widely spoken language in the world while in Uganda, it is the National language. English is the medium of instruction and in order for any one to succeed in the formal sector, knowledge of the language is a must. The most examined skill of English language today is the writing skill where as very few students write well.

This study investigated factors that influence the basic writing skills of students in English Language in selected schools in Rubaga Division of Kampala district. The specific objectives of the study were to assess the learners’ attitudes towards learning English writing skills, the levels and scope of learners’ independent participation in reading novels and writing English and to establish the availability and levels of utilization of school libraries and English text books in the learners’ former primary and current secondary schools. The study also assessed the teachers’ views about the influence of the learners’ first language, status of their former primary schools and other factors on the learners’ English writing skills and the instructional methods used in teaching English writing skills. Furthermore, the learners’ English writing skills were evaluated using a written and graded Composition.

The research was carried out in Rubaga Division, Kampala district, in seven purposively selected schools in which three were high performing, two were average performing and two were weak performing schools. Eleven teachers and one hundred and thirty six learners were interviewed. Interviews were used to get first hand information from the teachers about the availability of resources in their current schools, about their views on learners’ former schools and about students’ attitude towards English. Questionnaires were given to teachers to follow up on the answers given in their interviews while those given to learners were for the purpose of clarifying their views on different issues. The composition writing exercise was for the researcher to test students’ spelling,, coherency and use of punctuation.

The researcher ensured validity through discussing the research instruments with the supervisor until an agreement was reached on its validity. Reliability was checked through examining the same item repeatedly through different questions and instruments. When the data was collected, it was sorted, then transcribed, organized and interpreted through description, tallies and percentages. The findings indicate that, though learners like writing, they do not practice enough to develop their writing skills. Very few learners are equipped with writing skills in their former schools but if this is done, the writing will improve. Teachers also need to encourage the learners in reading a lot and practicing writing if they are to improve their writing skills