Problems of clause subordination among senior high students_ a case study in Opoku Ware Senior High School (SHS 2 students)

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the problems of clause subordination among students of Opoku Ware Senior High School in the Kumasi Municipality of the Ashanti Region. The study specifically investigated some prevalent errors and mistakes committed by students and the source(s) of problems for the errors and mistakes. To address the objectives of the study, the descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. One hundred and two (102) participants were selected through stratified and systematic sampling techniques. Itemized tests constituted the main instrument for data collection while the study further interviewed five (5) underperformers in the test. The results revealed that some of the common errors and mistakes committed by students were misapplication of rules, misidentification of types of adverbial clause and misidentification of subordinators. The findings also indicated that lack of students’ attention in class and after lessons on the subject matter, lack of revision, bad learning style through adoptability to one format of multiple choice questions on a subject and less recognition and attention given to English as subject as some of the major sources of problems for students’ poor performance in clause subordination. The findings further revealed a strong and positive correlation between the scores of students and their mistakes and errors in identifying subordinators and misapplication of rule. The study concluded that the correct identification of subordinators, impact positively on the academic performance of students (scores in test). The study recommends that Opoku Ware School provide students with textbooks that have practical examples of clause subordination to complement teachers’ and students’ efforts. The study also recommends a collaboration between curriculum designers and classroom teachers in structuring the syllabus to meet the educational needs of students.