Teaching Speaking and Writing Skills: Determinants for Academic Performance of Secondary School Students in Nigeria

Abstract

Speaking and Writing are two crucial productive skills that must be taught to every student in order to enjoy a
fulfilled academic experience. They are the backbone of every effective and efficient communication in schools and
every other area of human endeavors. This study investigates the teaching of speaking and writing as crucial skills
and determinants for academic performance of secondary school students in Ilorin, Kwara State. Descriptive survey
was adopted for this study. The population comprised all students and teachers in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. For
the purpose of collecting relevant information, questionnaires were carefully designed for one hundred (100)
students throughout the selected senior secondary schools in Ilorin and the data collected were analyzed using
frequency count and percentage while the hypotheses were tested using independent t-test and analysis of variance
(ANOVA). The findings revealed that, good speaking and writing skills trigger increase in the level of performance
of students in Ilorin, Kwara state, Nigeria. More so, the various methods used by teachers such as: speaking and
writing activities, debates, public speaking, dialogue classes, speeches and talks in and outside the class; narrative
activities; tell interesting stories or favorite movies were identified as effective methods used by teachers which have
great influence on students ability to speak and write effectively in school. The findings also revealed that; there is
no statistically significant difference in speaking and writing skills as determinant factors on academic performance
of students based on their ages, gender and classes.

Keywords: Academic Performance, Language Skills, Speaking, Writing