Pragmatic Analysis Of Whatsapp Chats

 Pragmatic Analysis Of Whatsapp Chats

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

1.1      Background to the Study

Language is one of the most complex of all human-specific phenomena. Its convolutions of parts and meanings. It goes beyond its semiotic possibility of conveying information at a communicative level to have an art form that exists by it alone which is known as the literary art.

At the communicative level, it involves other tools to aid interlocution namely voice modulation and pitch, gesticulations which for the sake of this study include facial expressions and feedback from the other person for the clarification of meanings and understanding. At the interpersonal level, language is always based on contextual sense-making as the complexity of language always bears upon every utterance.

Remove the verbal and personal arrangement of this semiotic speech act and all the other tools for sense-making to go with it. So that one runs the risk of being misunderstood which defeats the aim of conversations at all levels. However, with the advancement of technology especially in the telecommunications sector, people now rely much on texting and instant messaging platforms are becoming more and more popular across social classes and with this popularity comes the need for its acceptance by formal and informal purposes.

• Statement of the Problem

The use of the WhatsApp instant messaging application involves a two-way attempt to decipher interlocution beyond the texts. So features like emojis and Smiley’s are added to aid understanding while shorthands are also evolved and their meanings learnt by users and new users. However, a greater chance of sense-making still lies in the texts and how users are able to adjust to each person's texting pattern. In any event, one relies majorly on the context in order to make sense of what is being read and when this fails, one asks for clarifications from the other person(s). This is the problem that has given rise to the present research: to conduct a pragmatic study of WhatsApp chats.

• Research Questions
• what are the common methods through which users arrive at a contextual meaning of texts on the Application?
• How far can the Contextual theory of semantics with all its shortcomings bear upon any study such as the present one?
• What are the troubles users tend to run into in terms of sense-making on the platform
• And how peculiar are the texting styles across different regions
• Objectives of the Study

The major purpose of this research work is to carry out a pragmatic analysis of the intricacies of the WhatsApp instant messaging application. This would be achieved through:

• An identification of the various common methods users employs in the contextual sense-making process.
• The research will describe in detail the movement of contextual sensemaking among users of the instant messaging application. This description will aim at looking at these methods as they develop into popularity among a particular age range usually the millennials.
• Significance of the Study

The present research work is deeply significant especially as it closes up an academic gap which has been called it up. In language study especially the part the linguistics are mandated to study, the research will give models for reading WhatsApp conversations and other conversations on similar platforms with similar features like Imo, Instagram Direct Message and Facebook Messenger.

In the wider picture and seeing that many legal conversations go on with the use of the app, forensics and criminal law can gain insight from the work done here in understanding how to handle conversations of this kind tendered as evidence in legal action.

• Research Hypothesis

The assumption on which this research work is predicated upon the assumption that the contextual sense-making process is what is used by users of the instant messaging application: WhatsApp.

• Scope of the Study

The focus of this research work is on deciphering how sense-making in WhatsApp chats is predicated upon the context of messages. While focusing on WhatsApp references would be made as the discussion progresses to other instant messaging software like the Facebook Messenger app and Imo.

• Limitations of the Study

The major limitations of this research work are time issues and the nature of the research which would require sifting through a random cross-section of WhatsApp chats in order to better carry out the study which would also require lots of time and financial resources.

• Definition of Terms

Pragmatics

This is the branch of linguistics that enquires into how the context of texts and word usages bear upon their meanings.

 

 

 

 

EDITOR SOURCE: Pragmatic Analysis Of Whatsapp Chats

 

Political Corruption In Nigeria – The Causes And Prevention, Using The Work Of Selected Activists And Writers In Nigeria

 Political Corruption In Nigeria – The Causes And Prevention, Using The Work Of Selected Activists And Writers In Nigeria

Introduction 

        Nigeria’s political problems sprang from the carefree manner in which the British took over, administered, and abandoned the government and people of Nigeria. British administrators did not make an effort to weld the country together and unite the heterogeneous groups of people. Though many things we have today are due to their enlightenment, they still left us hanging. According to Adewele Ademoyega in his book Why We Struck 1981, he said that when the British came, they forcibly rubber-stamped the political state of the ethnic groups of Nigeria, and maintained that status quo until they left. According to him upon their departure nearly a hundred years later, the people resumed fighting for their political rights.

When the British came to Nigeria as an imperial nation to take over the rulership of the country from 1861 (with the cession of Lagos), they met the people of the south totally free, only observing and regulating their own monarchies and institutions (Adewele Ademoyega: Why We Struck). Chinua Achebe in his work or novel Things Fall Apart, 1958, tries to portray the life Africans lived before and during the arrival of the Europeans in Nigeria.

Things Fall Apart tells the tragic story of the rise and fall of Okonkwo and the equally tragic story of the disintegration of Igbo culture, symbolized by the agrarian society of Umofia, under the relentless encroachments of British Christian imperialism.

For Achebe, Mister Johnson represents the worst kind of portrayal of Africans by Europeans. To him, the portrayal was all the more disheartening because John Cary was working hard to achieve an accurate depiction, unlike many British authors during the imperial colonial period who deliberately, often cynically, exploited the stereotyping of Africans and African society. It was precise because John Cary was a liberal-minded and sympathetic writer, as well as a colonial administrator that Achebe felt the record had to be set straight. Achebe’s purpose then is to write about and for his own people. His first novels form a continuum over one hundred years of Igbo civilization. The Europeans have not yet penetrated Umuofia, the setting of the first novel when Things Fall Apart beings. When the novel ends colonial rule has been established. His other novels talk about the different changes that took place before independence and after it.

The British governed Nigeria indirectly through their traditional rulers, as a result, the true leader of the masses was hamstrung and held down. Just because Africans were given authority to rule over their own people, they saw it as a means to maltreat those that have wronged them, extort from those that have more than them and sell his/her own brother and sister for favours from the superior leaders - The British. (Adewele Ademoyega: Why We Struck).

These actions by the local and foreign leaders made the people sort for independence. Many of them were not thinking straight anymore. Many people now saw the need to transfer their faults to others using others as an excuse. The present leader blames the colonial masters and fore runners-for-independence for their actions for not doing what is expected of them well and also for the embezzlement and stealing of public funds. They claim that the colonial masters taught them to do so. The political elites in other to become rich and influential in the society, steal and blame it on the economy and leaders. No one takes responsibility for his own crime and faults.

Between the politicians and the military, they blame one another for a bad government no one agrees that the other is better than himself. In the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, people do all types of things just to steal from the petroleum companies they believe that it is their own right and bunkering which is a common business there is no stealing. That is why Tanure Ojaide uses his novel The Activist to enlighten the people about what is happening in the Niger Delta areas. He says those that claim to be literate in society are the Chief Criminals sabotaging one another. Everybody in the country is in one way or the other suffering from the harms political corruption brought, we are psychosocial disordered.

Kole Omotoso in his fiction focuses on identifying the problems in Nigerian society and proposing solutions. He lived his childhood and adolescence, sharing the nationalist dreams of peace, progress, and prosperity, as an adult and as a writer, he was forced to watch the systematic deferment of these dreams after independence for decades after freedom from colonial rule, Nigeria was cursed by civil strife, including a civil war (1967 – 1970) and incessant military coups d’etat. These events, together with undemocratic rule political chicanery and bureaucratic cynicism resulted in a steady decline in the quality of life in a nation that, because it is the most populous black nation on earth is often looked upon as representative of the black race. Omotoso tries to use fiction to talk about the decay and chaos in the society but he tries to make it less real as Armah did in his The Beautiful Ones are not yet Born.

1.1   Definition of Terms

Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality is also considered political corruption.

Forms of corruption vary, they include bribery, extortion, cronyism, nepotism, patronage, graft and embezzlement. While corruption may facilitate criminal enterprises such as drug trafficking, money laundering and trafficking, it is not restricted to these activities. While political corruption is an illegal abuse of power, the psychosocial disorder is the mental reaction one gets from it.

A psychosocial disorder is a mental illness caused or influenced by maladjusted cognitive and behavioural processes.

1.2   Statement of the Problem

Due to the political dictatorship and the high rate of starvation and poverty in the country, many of the people are suffering from problems caused by the many ways they are treated and controlled.

Their manner of thinking has been blurred with the idea that if they steal or kill to survive, it is not a crime because their leader is also thieved who loots the national treasure and put it in their foreign accounts.

Again due to this, the citizens are psychosocially disordered and their minds corrupt. The key problem is the government. Because of the corrupt nature of society, the government sells its pride and glory to foreign companies and enterprises. These people now treat the natural inhabitants of the areas where the companies are located like animals without dignity. An example is the Niger Delta area of Nigeria which is an oil-producing state.

The major problem is between the people and her government. Both are psychologically and socially sick. The pain of poverty and starvation in abundant money has destroyed the people's minds that they no longer think or reason straight.

1.3   Aim and Objectives

The objectives of this research are;

To identify the problems caused by political corruption and

To provide suggestions for the prevention of political corruption and psychosocial disorder and find a way to eliminate it completely from the society in general.

• Significance of the study

Political corruption and psychosocial disorder using The Activist by Tanure Ojaide and Arrow of Rain by Oke Ndibe will serve as good material for student researchers.

This work will show how the government and the citizens and foreign companies helped in the corruption of the society and her environment and how the act of corruption has disordered everything.

1.5   Scope of Research

This project is restricted to the study of political corruption and psychosocial disorder, using Tanure Ojaide’s The Activist and Okey Ndibe’s Arrow of Rain and other relevant literary work of some other Nigerian and African prose writers and commentaries on corruption.

The research is divided into five chapters, chapter one consists of the introduction, definition of the term, statement of the problem, aims and objectives, the significance of the study, scope of research and research methodology. Chapter two is the review of related literature, chapter three is a textual analysis of the novel The Activist by Tanure Ojaide, Chapter four is a textual analysis of the novel Arrows of Rain Arrow of Rain by Okey Ndibe and chapter five is the summary and conclusion.

1.6   Research Methodology

The main source of this research work is a textual analysis of   The main source of this research work is a textual analysis of The Activist by Tanue Ojaide and Arrow of Rain by Okey Ndibe.

The secondary materials are from the library, texts, magazines and some works on African prose writers.

 

EDITOR SOURCE: Political Corruption In Nigeria – The Causes And Prevention, Using The Work Of Selected Activists And Writers In Nigeria

 

Language Attitudes Among Teenagers And Its Effect

 Language Attitudes Among Teenagers And Its Effect (A Case Study Of Teenagers In Uyo

 

 

 

 

Introduction

1.1     Background of the Study

          In the time past, language attitudes have been analyzed and debated with respect to how languages can be endangered, and how they can die.  The two main points to be considered in this research are attitude and language, and how teenagers manipulate them. 

Attitude is defined as the way that one thinks and feels about somebody or something, the way that one behaves towards somebody or something that shows how one thinks and feels.  While language is defined as the system of communication in speech and writing that is used by people of a particular country. Also, another dictionary definition of language is a particular style of speaking or writing.

So for the purpose of further development and preservation of the Ibibio Language, this research is going to be concerned with the behaviour exhibited by teenagers In Uyo, Akwa Ibom State particularly those in the Uyo Local Government Area of the State to their indigenous language

1.2     Significance and Scope of the Study

          The study “language attitudes among teenagers and its effects” is a study of how language is being approached and manipulated by teenagers in the Uyo district of Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, for their day-to-day interaction, fellowship and relationship.

 

1.3     Purpose of this Study

          This research aims at seeing why teenagers behave the way they do to language (what influence and inform the behaviour so exhibited to language), see the effect of their behaviour on their indigenous language, and proffer possible solutions aimed at internalizing the language in the minds of these teenagers thereby preserving the language.

1.4            Methodology

In analyzing various related texts in relation to this field, a socio-linguistic method of approach is used in examining the behaviour or attitudes exhibited by teenagers in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State to their indigenous language vis-à-vis English and pidgin.

Also, questionnaires have used the observation of their attitude to language as a means of data collection.

1.5     Statement of the Problem

          Most language users do not see the language that they speak as a definition of their race, their culture, and their personality.  Negligence, ignorance and quest to follow the current trend have left Africans in general and Nigerians in particular far from their root – their source/who they really are.

          So in this research, ways in which we have drifted from our culture (through the embracing of a foreign language) are being elaborated upon, and suggestions on how to re-position our attitude toward our indigenous language are made explicit.

 

EDITOR SOURCE: Language Attitudes Among Teenagers And Its Effect 

Influence Of Music On Language Acquisition On Children As Perceived By Primary School Teachers

 Influence Of Music On Language Acquisition On Children As Perceived By Primary School Teachers In Oyun Lga, Kwara State

 

 

 

Introduction

1.1   Background to the Study

Language is often seen generally as fundamental to human cognitive ability and development. Music on the other hand while being seen as human-specific and universal, is often viewed as a secondary skill one which is predicated and draws its origin from and in language.  However, when viewed critically it is often seen and arguably so that language is a systematically and universal kind of music in itself.  A couple of recent studies into the roles of music and its application reveals that it is fundamental to language learning.

At any rate, music is seen as a universal human skill and specific to humans as well one which every human who is born healthy is also born with the innate ability to produce or at least to appreciate.

However, in its level of application, music is often viewed in this regard as only applicable in the case of slower cognitive development and while this is true to a great extent, it doesn’t excuse the fact that its role especially in language acquisition cannot be overemphasized.

1.2   Statement of the Problem

The application and significance of music in language learning especially in a young child have always been suspected to be integral to the process. This is the problem this present research work has assigned itself – to investigate the influence of music in language learning on children through the eyes of a primary school teacher who has the front row seat to view the learning process in all its intricacies.

1.3   Research Questions

1.3.1      what are the different studies that have supported this research statement

1.3.2      What genre of music is most likely to aid language acquisition.

1.4   Objectives of the Study

The research aims to extensively describe the processes of music playing a significant role in the learning process of language in a child at the primary and preprimary school levels. The extent to which it quickens language acquisition in children will be analyzed while that of mentally challenged children will be discussed specifically in its own right.

The characteristics of music that help make it possible for it to aid language learning will be determined to a limited extent if time and space will allow while the research will also attempt to establish the limitations of music in aiding language learning and whether such is informed by the language in question and/or the kind of music introduced.

1.5   Significance of the Study

The significance of this research work borders between applied music and aiding language teaching both in school and at home. In the former, it is important in that it sheds light on what can be introduced by the primary education board into the curriculum other than the recommendations of texts to be repeatedly read by children who are yet to get inured to the graphic mode of language learning. With music helping in this regard, efforts can be put in to determine how to adapt its use in classrooms.

Its findings and recommendations will also prove very useful to parents and teachers as stated above who find it very difficult teaching some of their mentally challenged children.

1.6   Research Hypothesis

The assumption on which this research was built is one that recognizes the influence of music in the language acquisition process in primary school children. So that the research seeks to prove with its thorough study the correctness of this hypothesis.

1.7   Scope of the Study

The research work will focus its study on teachers and pupils at the primary school level and see to what extent music can be introduced in teaching language to them in practical terms. However, references might be made to the significance and use of music for the same purpose for kindergarten levels and comparing it with primary level one hopes to see the graduation and relevance of music in language learning.

1.8   Limitations of the Study

The major limitations of this research work are firstly the time factor to complete the required study within the given time irrespective of the volume of research that should go into the work. Another is that of resources to fund to conduct the length of observation needed to arrive at a conclusion and make recommendations which did not come in the needed amount hence, reflecting, though minutely, on the work.

1.9   Definition of Terms

Language Acquisition

This refers to the learning of a language anew with all the four language skills at a reasonable level of proficiency in both first languages and others.

 

 

EDITOR SOURCE: Influence Of Music On Language Acquisition On Children As Perceived By Primary School Teacher In Oyun Lga, Kwara State

Influence Of Guidance And Counselling On Career Choice Of Secondary School Students

 

Introduction

Background to the Study

            Counselling is a helping relationship in which one person endeavours to help another solve his/her adjustment problems (English and English, 1971, cited in Okebiah and Okorodudu, 2004). This helping relationship originated from the very discovery that young people need to be guided in their career decision-making process. Okobiah and Okorodudu (2004) emphasise that counselling is a person-to-person process in which one person (the counselee is helped by another person (the counsellor) to help, increase understanding and ability to solve his/her adjustment problems. They explained further that counselling requires a wide range of activities which should start from the infant stage of the child designed to aid individuals in solving their problems, the problems referred to in counselling and mostly those of decision-making and developmental problems. One of the benefits of counselling is that it helps the individual to develop, sustain a career and be adjusted in life (Obiunu and Ebunu, 2010).

            Career, according to Okobiah and Okorodudu (2004), refers to a variety of work and non-work situations which usually span through the entire life of an individual. According to them, a career is generally related to a pattern of decisions, transactions and adjustments affect one’s decision, transactions and adjustments affect one’s role in work, education family, community development and leisure. The National Career Development Association (NCDA) (2003) stated that a career is the total of work. Paid and unpaid – one does in his/her lifetime. Thus, a career embraces a sequence of positions jobs or occupations which an individual holds during his/her lifetime (Obiunu and Ebunu, 2010).

            Career counselling is a field of counselling which gives relevant information regarding different careers. It is a process of helping and enabling people in their career development. Career counselling helps the students to select their careers according to their choices and interests. Career counselling is now being increasingly stressed as an integral part of education. According to Francis (2010), career counselling involves three steps which are: self-analysis, occupational analysis, and true reasoning or counselling to relate personal and occupational information.

            One major variable that affects how people choose their occupations is personality traits. Holland (1987) argued that the choice of an occupation shares similar personality characteristics. Career interest is a second factor that affects the choice of a career. Interest may be concerned in terms of an activity which an individual engages in for the interest of it without deserving an external reward. The reward is in the performance of the activity the person does (Lazarus, 2011).

            Personality and interest are not the only criteria for choosing a career. An individual’s aptitude and intellectual abilities are equally of great importance. An aptitude is a potential for success in an area after undergoing some training but a layman may define aptitude as a flair for something. The context in which people live, their personal aptitudes, and educational attainment are other things that do influence people’s career choices (Bandura, Barbnaranelli, Cafrara and Pastorelli, 2001).

            Similarly, skill and values also affect peoples’ choices. Values are the guiding principles that are ordered in importance and serve as standards for judging and justifying actions (Schwartz, 1992). In addition, Osakunle and Adegoroye (20080 identified factors that influence adolescents’ choice of career as sex, location of the choice maker, environment, school influence (peer and curriculum content), religious affiliation, child-rearing and family values.

            In the opinion of Morris and Levinson 91995): and Pierce, McDdermolt and Butkus (2003), although intelligence is associated with career maturity and the development of decision-making skills, factors other than skills, abilities, and personality play a major role in career development and satisfaction for people with mental retardation. Factors such as interests, social opportunities, emotional rewards, and economic benefits influence the career choices (of most adolescents, including those with cognitive limitations) (Szymanski, Hershenson, Enright and Ettinger, 1998).

            In addition, Krumboltz, Mitchell and Jones (1976) opined that there are four factors that affect the career choice of individuals, these are genetic enrolment and special abilities (such as race, gender, physical appearance and characteristics), environmental conditions and events like social, cultural and political, economic forces; natural forces and natural resources), learning experiences (instrumental learning experience which consists of preceding circumstances.sti1mulus; behavioural responses (overt and covert); consequences, associative learning experience, and task approach skills (personal standards of performance; work habits, emotional responses).

            Fundamentally, the goal of guidance and counselling is to make it possible for an individual to see and explore his or her unlimited endowed options. Many scholars such as Odeck (1999), Ipaye, (1995), and Makinde (1981) opined that the major service areas of guidance and counselling which assist students in their curriculum and school life choices, vocational guidance and counselling which assists the individual to choose and prepare for an occupation that is compatible with his interests and aptitudes, and personal and social guidance and counselling which assists the individual to behave appropriately in relation to other members of the society.

            As part of vocational guidance and counselling programme, career development enables guidance counsellors to assist individuals to identify and learn the skills by which they can be more effective in planning for and choosing jobs, in making effective transitions effectively. Career development, for most people, is a lifelong process of engaging the work world through choosing among employment opportunities made available to them. It is a process of getting ready to choose, choosing, and continuing to make choices (Brown, Brooks, and Associates, 1996). 

            The National Career Development Association (NCDA) (1993) noted, that helping individuals increase their self-understanding of their abilities, interests, values, and goals is a vital foundation of the career development process (p.2). The NCDA suggested that career development activities help students develop positive work habits (for example, organization, following directions, completing assignments on time), setting goals, making informed decisions, identifying interests and abilities and exploring jobs (for example, job shadowing and apprenticeships).

            From the foregoing, the factors influencing career choices include psychological, sociological, physical, economic, educational and choice factors. It should be noted that the roles of guidance and counselling on the career choices of secondary school students cannot be overemphasized.

 

Statement of Problem

            A major turning point in adolescents’ lives involves the career choice that they make while in senior secondary school. Frequently, it is viewed by family and community as a mere start to workplace readiness; however, this decision plays a major role in establishing youth in a career path that opens as well as closes opportunities (Lazarus, 2011).

            Essentially, parental influence has been inflated in the career choice of children (Roe 1987, Adigwe 1981, Okeke 1996, Gesinde 1986). Okeke for example also studied the relationship between parental occupations and their children’s occupational preferences. Okeke found that 60% of the children were willing to take after their fathers’ occupations (medicine) while 23% were willing to follow their mother’s occupations (nursing). Gesinde on other hand posits that parents' influence is much more intricate and more pervasive than is shown, students of secondary schools are often not aware of these influences and may accept the choice of their parents as theirs. The situation owes its origin to early childhood when the child grabs his parent’s attitude towards different vocations. A conflict, therefore, occurs when the child submits to his parent’s choice while at the same time deeply resenting his submissions as he becomes aware of his loss of independence and finds his area of interest (Gesinde, 1986).

            Peer groups also have an influence on the occupation choice of students. In his view, Hinchilife (1973) observes that friends are an important factor in the career choice of adolescents. Durojaiye (1970) also found that 76.6% of the pupils he studied said that their classmates would be employed in professional occupations just like them; while 24% said that their chosen jobs would be the same as those of their friends. 

            Interest is also a significant factor in students’ vocational choices. Owie (2003) advanced the position that the most important reason why a person chooses a particular career is that the person has an intrinsic interest in the field, while this may be highly influenced by prior academic achievement.

            Moreover, Gesinde’s (1978) study showed that gender plays an important role in determining the career preferences of students. Other research findings which support gender differences in career preferences and choices include the works of Yuh (1980) who in her study of some correlates of vocational orientations of some Nigerian Secondary students discovered that significantly, more male students preferred realistic, investigative and enterprising careers than females.

            Thus, the problem of the study is that some secondary school students are not able to make appropriate career ch1oices due to a number of factors that affect their career development process. This study investigated the influence of guidance and counselling on career choices among secondary school students in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.

 

Research questions

            The following research questions are generated for the study which the researcher intends to answer:

• What is the influence of guidance and counselling on the career choice of secondary school students?
• Is there any significant difference in the expression of secondary school students on the influence of guidance and counselling on career choices on the basis of sex?
• Is there any significant difference in the expression of secondary school students on the influence of guidance and counselling on career choices on the basis of class level?
• Is there any significant difference in the expression of secondary school students on the influence of guidance and counselling on career choices on the basis of age?
• Is there any significant difference in the expression of secondary school students on the influence of guidance and counselling on career choices on the basis of religion?

 

Research Hypotheses

            From the questions stated above, the following null hypotheses have been formulated: 

• There is no significant difference in the expression of secondary school students on the influence of guidance and counselling on career choices on the basis of sex.
• There is no significant difference in the expression of secondary school students on the influence of guidance and counselling on career choices on the basis of class level.
• There is no significant difference in the expression of secondary school students on the influence of guidance and counselling on career choices on the basis of age.
• There is no significant difference in the expression of secondary school students on the influence of guidance and counselling on career choices on the basis of religion.

 

Purpose of the Study

            The purpose of the study is to investigate the view of secondary school students on the influence of guidance and counselling on career choices. In the course of this research work, variables such as age, religion, sex and class levels are considered whether they have direct significant impacts on the influence of guidance and counselling on career choices as expressed by the respondents.

 

Significance of the Study

            This study is highly imperative to secondary school students because it will enable them to know various career choices in our contemporary world. In other words, it will enlighten and sensitize them on various career options and determinants of career choices in our society. Therefore, the problem of wrong and ill-informed career choices will be addressed, because the students will be more informed and sensitized by this empirical study.

            Moreover, this study will be highly useful to the school administrators in the area of planning and curricular development in schools. It will enlighten them on the relevance and importance of guidance and counselling on career choices among the students in secondary schools. Therefore, emphasis will be placed on guidance and counselling as an important mechanism for career guidance and development.

            Subsequently, this study is fundamental because it will enlighten the parents on various career options for their children or wards ad various determinants of career choices. This will enable them to properly guide their children and wards towards making an informed career option or choice because teachers or school counsellors cannot do it alone; it is a collective responsibility.

            Lastly, this study is highly imperative to the Ministry of Education in their formulation of career guidance programs for secondary school students, such programs may include sponsoring workshops, classes, focus groups and special presentations that focus on job skills and personal development. Also, like job shadowing arrangements, work placement and community-based learning programs.

 

 

 

Operational Definition of Terms

            For the purpose of clarity, the following terms are operationally defined as used in this study:

Career Choices and Options: Career options are a series of jobs that are available for people to choose such as medicine, law, engineering, pharmacist, and teacher. This can also mean career options. Therefore, career choices can be referred to as the picking of a job out of various career options available.

Career Guidance: Career guidance means those programs aimed to help students make more informed and better educational and career choices.

Career: A career is the series of jobs that a person in a particular area of work, usually involving more responsibility as time passes. In other words, the period of time that someone spends in his/her life working or doing a particular thing.

Counselling: Counselling can be defined, according to how it is used in the study, as professional advice about a problem such as career choices.

Guidance: Guidance, according to the study, means help or advice that is given to somebody, especially by somebody older or with more experience.

School Counsellor: A school counsellor is a counsellor who works in elementary, middle and secondary schools to provide academic career, college access and personal/social competencies to students.

 

Scope of the Study

            This research work is designed to find the influence of guidance and counselling on career choices in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State as expressed by secondary school students. All the secondary school students of the area are the target population but 100 respondents are selected to participate in the study. In the course of the research work, consider whether they have direct significant impacts on the influence of guidance and counselling on career choices as expressed by the respondents. The questionnaire technique will be used to collect the information/data from the respondents.

 

 

 

ABSTRACT

            This study investigated the influence of Guidance and Counselling on the career choice of secondary school students in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State. This research work was to assess the extent to which the influence of Guidance and Counselling has influenced the career choice of secondary school students in Ekiti Local Government Area, Kwara State.

            The population sample was two hundred (200) students randomly selected from each school in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State. The researcher’s designed influence of Guidance and Counselling in carrier choice questionnaire (IGCCQ) was used to collect data from the respondents. Four null hypotheses were generated to guide the study.

The finding revealed that age, gender, religion and class level of respondents have an influence on guidance and counselling in the career choice of secondary school students in Ekiti Local Government, Kwara State.

            It was recommended that practising counsellors from all levels of institutions should design individual and group counselling programmes for students to cater for comprehensive and effective education for all levels of institutions. Through such programmes, students will be educated to appreciate good morals and stay away from deviant behaviours in the school and outside the school. Also, the indecent dressing should be discouraged and students should work harder and be dedicated to their studies.

 

 

EDITOR SOURCE: Influence Of Guidance And Counselling On Career Choice Of Secondary School Students

Gender And Identity Issues In Second Language Acquisition

 Gender And Identity Issues In Second Language Acquisition

 

 

 

Introduction

1.1 Background to the Study

Extensive language acquisition is determined by a level of dexterity in the four language skills namely speaking, listening, reading and writing. Listening and speaking, in this order, have been described as the most important two as language transcends the semiotic, that is the language for communication, and role. Language is both a sociological and political tool that influences man more than man does it; in it, a person’s worldview is determined to the extent that language is consciousness so that such things as art especially the literary kind become a production of this consciousness at the same time a product of it. Disciplines like anthropology, sociology, psychology, economics, history, etc., invest much time in the study of language as the latter bear upon any deep human-related study. As a result, bridge disciplines have sprung up over the last few decades such as sociolinguistics and so on.

            However, it is the application of language studies in things like marketing, advertisement, social media strategies, programming, etc., that inform the surging call for more diverse language-related studies. One of such is on the issues of gender and identity in second language acquisition.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

A cross-section of second language learners of a particular language with the same materials namely same tutors, learning media, duration of exposure, etc., are found to have advanced in the language at alarming differences in dexterity. One begins to enquire into the various factors that have come to bear upon these differences in second language acquisition.

            Studies have been carried out before now on the issues of gender in L2 and also the representation of identity in the acquisition of L2(Second Language). One such study is Masoud Zoghi et al “The Effect of Gender on Language Learning” which:

 examine[d] the effect of gender on English as a second language (EFL) achievement test at the end of RUN2 (young adults) at ILI (Iran Language institute in 2013). In other words, the aim of th[e] study was to determine whether students’ gender can affect their learning of English as a second language or not. (1)

 

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The objectives of every research work always revolve around a problem and an enquiry into its solution. In research, of course, this problem can be in the form of a question whose posing can spurn into other questions. The research process then is the attempt at answering or solving this problem under established rules of the discipline from which the question originated.  

            In this particular research work, the focus is to establish the presence and issues of gender and identity in the learning of a second language. Individually, the influence of gender and identity on the acquisition of a second language has been studied and in the case of gender, researchers have concluded that presented before the same learning conditions and same languages, women have, at the initial stage, proven to be quicker and more eloquent in the new language than men whereby as time progresses, men tend to be better at it. It is the aim of this present examination to follow the study alongside the issues of identity in the learning of a second language.

            Consequently, this study hopes to put to rest the question as to whether how a learner sees himself generally can influence his learning of a second language and how he is most likely to wield this second language. This is as it has been suspected that learners of a second language who say English in areas where they enjoy free political security thrive better in the language than those who don’t.

1.4 Research Questions

As we pointed out in the background of the study, what brings research into being isn’t always necessarily a problem; it can, and usually, in the humanities, be a question. And the following questions have brought the present research work into being and have informed its scope.

1.4.1        Do gender and identity influence the acquisition of a second language?

1.4.2        What are the issues that inform this influence?

1.4.3        To what extent do they come to bear upon the learning of the second language?

 

1.5 Significance of the Study

This research work would be of great significance to anyone teaching a language to an international student or just a second language learner as it would help shape the curriculum and teaching technique.

            It would also be of immense importance to digital marketers in that their topographical targeting would take into consideration the findings of this work thereby focusing their social media campaigns and adverts on the gender which would relate to particular language use in written content.

            The gender and identity issues raised in this work would stand as a case points in the cultural reorientation of the younger generations; the cultural practices that may be found to hamper the smooth learning of the second language in gender would be legislated upon and a better ground found. One of such is the little or no exposure given to the girl child in most African countries to formal education which makes them illiterate in their mother tongue; a skill whose lack results in a difficulty in the acquisition of a second language.

 

1.6 Research Hypothesis

The hypothesis on which this research work would be carried out is found in the statement that issues of gender and identity significantly influence the acquisition of second languages

1.7 Scope of the Study

The gender and identity issues as related to the learning of a second language which would be treated here will concentrate on the immediate issues only.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

The very significant limitation of this research work is that of resources to carry out an extensive enquiry that can cut across a wide section of second language learners of different genders and backgrounds and also of different ages in order to conclude without any doubt that these factors influence second language acquisition. However, one cannot overlook the time factor as the present research work is one that demands extensive field and theoretical work.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Gender

Gender is the state of being either male or female albeit there are other genders apart from this. But in a sociolinguistic study such as this, these two will suffice.

Identity

Character or the state and condition that gives a person the quality by which he or she is identified from other persons. identity often has a societal or legal undertone.

 

EDITOR SOURCE: Gender And Identity Issues In Second Language Acquisition

 

English Linguicism And Language Loss

English Linguicism And Language Loss: A Case Study Of Yoruba Language Use Among Students Of Obafemi Awolowo University And Adeyemi College Of Education

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

1.1      Background to the Study

Language is a human phenomenon that goes way beyond its immediate semiotic possibility to be a diverse sociological factor in which the people’s historical, political, and cultural memory and behaviour are encapsulated. From a certain language use, one can tell another’s social and cultural background and also the strings of events that have shaped the persons personality. For this reason, it is seen that language affects people as much as people affect a language.

Usually, the longer the event experienced by the said language users the more solidified the effects on them are by language and the clearer it is evident in the language. A more political event like colonialism always goes beyond a political factor to shaping the people’s attitude to life but also shaping the people’s attitude toward their own native language, especially to the point of disadvantaging the native language.

This disadvantage is a result of the social significance the new language has come to stand for thereby relegating the native language to the background and imbuing it with low social standing and associating its ardent users with the perception of lacking in culture. It is no wonder that when an event like colonialism goes side by side with formal education or a new form of education, those who are not exposed to it and who often cling to the older world views and cultural orientation are seen as unlearned and prejudiced. Because of the position of the new language, in this our case- English, the people often tend to disassociate themselves from it thereby positioning the native language to its demise through disuse.

1.2      Statement of the Problem

A relationship between two languages always is not an equal one. There are internal convolutions which always define them. Surprisingly, these internal working are usually user based than language-based in that the user's perception of the two languages often shapes this relationship and its outcome. In Nigeria, the English language is the language of the media, education, formal relations and the language of the intellectuals. This has conferred on the language the status of the high social class alongside its fluent users to the disadvantage of the native language. The younger the users the more they hold the language has on them or while those who are not so fluent in the English language are associated with a lack of education and the entire prejudice that comes with such social judgement. The motivation of this present research work is to study the presence of English Linguicism and language loss as it pertains to the Yoruba language with students of Obafemi Awolowo University and Adeyemi College of Education as a case study.

1.3      Research Questions

1. Is there a manifestation of English Linguicism in the Yoruba speaking parts of the country?
2. Is there a possible indication of the situation to a total loss of Yoruba language with time?
3. What political factors exacerbate the situation?

1.4      Objectives of the Study

1. To determine if there is a manifestation of English Linguicism in the Yoruba speaking parts of the country.
2. To determine if there is a possible indication of the situation to a total loss of Yoruba language with time.
3. To examine the political factors that can exacerbate the situation.

 

 

 

1.5      Significance of the Study

The work will significantly help in the resuscitation of the language and motivate campaigns that are geared towards boosting the use of the Yoruba language, especially among the younger generation. So far, the discussions on the issue going on presently are always around academic circles which the younger generation who are most affected by the English Linguicism are not relatable. The study carried out here will reinvent the posture and methods of the conversations around the issue so that a more practical approach will be adopted in tackling the issue.

1.6      Research Hypothesis

Ho: The manifestation of English Linguicism in the Yoruba speaking parts of the country is not statistically significant.

H₁: The manifestation of English Linguicism in the Yoruba speaking parts of the country is statistically significant.

 

1.7      Scope of the Study

The research is limited to the campuses of Awolowo university and Adeyemi college of education and is focused on the manifestations of English Linguicism as it pertains to the students of those tertiary institutions with the exception of their staff members.

 

1.8      Limitations of the Study

Time majorly is the limiting factor for this research as there is much literature to be sifted through in understanding the nature of English Linguicism in the Yoruba language in the case studies.

1.9      Definition of Terms

Linguicism

This refers to the discrimination of an individual based on his or her language use or entirely his language. It also manifests in the overall judging of a person’s academic achievements, social status, character and wealth-based simply on his or her language use or the eloquence or the lack of it in a particular language.

Language Loss

This refers, in the worst-case scenario, to the death of the last native speaker of a particular language as is the case with Latin and many other languages. It also refers to the absorption of a minor language by another through politically motivated disuse of the former.

 

 

EDITOR SOURCE - English Linguicism And Language Loss