An Analysis of Pupil and Student-teacher Language in the Classroom during Teaching Practice in Secondary Schools in Kericho West Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible similarity between student-teacher language errors and learner interlanguage in Kericho West Sub-County of Kericho County, Kenya. The general objective of this study was to establish the possible similarity between student-teacher errors and the Interlanguage (IL) of the English Second Language Learners (ESLLs) in Kericho West Sub-County, Kericho. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the syntactic and grammatical errors made by student-teachers and English Second Language Learners at school. The study was guided by the Error Analysis theory while a descriptive research design was utilized to provide a description of the state of affairs. The target population was 50 teachers and 6000 learners. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample as the study focused on the student-teachers and the Form one and two learners they teach. The study chose eight student-teachers teaching either English or History/C.R.E, as these subjects involve much talking and writing. Sixty-four Forms one and two learners were also purposely selected from four purposely selected schools which usually get student-teachers. The study utilized observation and recordings in class and group discussions to collect data which was recorded for error analysis. Content validity of the research instruments was enhanced through a pilot study among learners and student-teachers who were not participants in the study. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis and a similarity was established between student-teacher language and the Interlanguage of the learners. The study established that student-teachers and their learners make many syntactic and grammatical errors. The study recommended that student-teachers language proficiency be emphasized, in-service courses be mandatory and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) be enhanced.