Relationship between students’ attitude towards literature in English and their performance in National teachers’ colleges: a case of NTC Unyama

Abstract

This study was carried out in order to establish the relationship between students’ attitude towards Literature in English and their performance in National Teachers’ Colleges using NTC Unyama as a case. The main objectives of the study were to: (1). establish the attitude students have towards Literature in English as a subject at NTC Unyama (2) investigate the factors that influence students’ attitude towards Literature in English at NTC Unyama, and (3) establish the relationship between students’ attitude and performance in Literature in English at NTC Unyama. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to capture the perceptions of both the students and staff of NTC Unyama. A population of 92 students were sampled as respondents and the lecturers in the department of Literature were the key informants. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview guides. Quantitative data was collected, sorted arranged and analyzed using SPSS and for the qualitative data, content analysis approach was used. The findings indicated that the students hold positive significant attitude towards learning Literature in English and that the type and the degree of attitude are affected by factors like lecturers’ experience and qualifications, background environment and ethnicity of the students among others. Therefore, because attitude can be modified by experience, effective teaching strategies can encourage students to be more positive towards the subject they are learning. Through the study, it is recommended that: lecturers should adopt up to date pedagogical approaches that make the teaching-learning of Literature interesting so as to arouse the interest of the learners and a variety of contemporary texts which are appropriate for multicultural group of students should be used.