MOTHER TONGUE INFLUENCE ON ENGLISH PROFICIENCY: A STUDY OF FIRST-YEAR NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

This work investigated the influence of the First Language on “Use of English” among First Year Students of Performing Arts Department of Akwa Ibom State University. The aim was to evaluate its implications on the socio-personal development of the students. It was based on the students’ poor performance and the researcher’s resolve to find out how the various factors including the backgrounds from where these students come have contributed to their performance in the said course. To this end, scores were obtained in English Language from the students’ WASSCE/NECO entry qualification files in addition to their response on the scheduled interview. The findings indicated no marked differences across the department in terms of structural facilities, teaching and learning atmosphere and or problems. It was revealed that the type of backgrounds students are exposed to during their primary and secondary school years had influence on their performance in The Use of English course and therefore the performances of students in the “Use of English” course had inextricable affinity with the influence of the first language L1 on the second language L2