Students’ learning styles and their performance in English language in senior secondary schools in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This quasi experimental research was conducted to assess the effects of students’ learning styles on their performance in English language in Senior Secondary Schools in Imo State. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. A purposive sampling technique was used to sample 300 students in the area of study. The study utilized both descriptive and inferential statistics in data collection and analysis. English Achievement Test (EAT) was used as the main instrument for pre-test and post-test. The research questions were answered with percentages and mean while the hypotheses were tested with ANCOVA at 0.05 level of significance. Relevant literature was reviewed accordingly. The result of the analysis showed that the learning style preference for English language students is converging. Result revealed that when teaching methods match the students learning styles they perform better. Also, in the study of English language gender variable has no significant impact on students’ learning styles and performances. The findings have implications on the teaching and learning of English studies at the Senior Secondary Schools. It was therefore recommended among others that English language teachers should identity the learning style that soothes their students and use teaching strategies that complement them.

Keywords: Students’ learning styles, English language, performance.