What does this English want?
The fact that only 10 out of 300 nurses headed to the UK passed the English language proficiency test did not come as a complete surprise.
The nurses had 20 minutes to complete 6o multiple-choice questions. The test comprised elementary questions examining basic grammar aspects such as tenses, possessive pronouns, subject-verb agreement, et cetera.
English is not performed very well at KCSE either. For instance, in KCSE 2020 in Kimilili subcounty, Bungoma county, there were more than 300 straight As in mathematics while English had only one. This was the case across the country.
Various reasons have been cited for this disparity. Some claim that the exam is too difficult while others blame the marking and grading system. Both assertions are farfetched.
Even the 2020 KCSE giants decried this phenomenon. Simiyu Robinson Wanjala, who led the 2020 lot, and Wesonga Allan, who came second, are without doubt exceptional achievers but they confessed that passing English was not a walk in the park.
Wesonga personified the subject as an obstinate adversary when he casually quipped, “What does this English want?”
The grades students attain at KCSE in English reflect the reality on the ground. Most of them can hardly express themselves fluently in spoken or written English.
Some people have argued that the hapless nurses should not be slandered for failing the English test as long as they can perform their core duties proficiently.
This assertion makes little sense since nurses interact with people in the course of their work and thus communication cannot be wished away. What’s more? They are going to work in the UK.
Others aver that having to learn a foreign language is tantamount to slavery. Needless to say, nothing could be further from the truth. Learning anything, including a new language, liberates rather than enslaves. Napoleon Hill, in his deftly crafted book Think and Grow Rich, suggests that knowledge is potential power.
English as a subject in the Kenyan curriculum is essential. First and foremost, it is a requirement for most professional courses. Secondly, the ability to communicate is indispensable. Lastly, it equips the learners with a number of vital skills that are worthwhile throughout their lives.
For example, we teach utilitarian skills such as writing different types of letters, curriculum vitae, reports, emails, minutes, etc. We also teach basic etiquette and the use of polite language among other skills important for interpersonal relationships.
Poetry, oral literature and set books are useful for equipping learners with morals, values, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities while writing imaginative compositions helps to develop their creativity and inventiveness.
Failure to grasp the basic concepts in school endures, as witnessed in the nurses’ performance on the English test. This article seeks to get to the root cause of the misery and attempts to shine a light on possible solutions.
The reason why English is poorly performed at KCSE is not rocket science. I recently wrote an article on the role of teachers in English failure. Many of them were not happy with my thoughts. Today my colleagues can breathe easy as I train my focus on the failings from the students’ side.
Students expect to learn English by magic or luck. They practise neither speaking nor writing in English. Also, they rarely ever study for English exams. This can be attributed to the fact that most of them do not understand the structure of the course and the format of the exams.
They rely on vague random ideas from continuous assessment tests and their own muddled notes. The notes are largely disordered since most students are not eager to do research and make proper notes and also have difficulties in taking notes when the teacher is explaining concepts.
You can spend minutes on end giving jewels of information while they look back blankly like frightened frogs, instead of taking notes.
Apart from that, learners have to be impelled to read. They will simply not read on their own. They won’t read newspaper articles, novels, blogs, magazines, etc. While preparing for English paper 3, which tests the ability to communicate in writing and critical analysis of set texts, they rely on questionable notes and misleading “guide” books.
Students who join Form 1 have shaky foundations in English and are predisposed to making many grammatical mistakes. This makes them scared of speaking the language. The situation is further compounded by the fact that they find the language alien and thus tend to treat it disdainfully.
This should not be taken as a dig at our colleagues in primary school who toil to mould the learners. However, the role of these teachers and parents or guardians who interact with the learners early in life cannot be overemphasised.
The future is not entirely bleak, however, as the situation can be remedied. I will address students of English directly.
Allow me to insert a hackneyed old saying here – practice makes perfect.
In order to pass English, you must practise writing and speaking daily. That is the only way you can master a new language. With the guidance of your teacher, organise interesting sessions of debating, hot seating, group discussions and role play. These are fun ways of learning the language in context.
Your teacher can help simplify the syllabus into a clear easy-to-follow course guide to help you understand the structure of the course and the format of the exams. The English test is divided into three distinct papers at KCSE. Parents should buy enough exercise books for you to enable you to organise your notes and have related content in separate books as opposed to heaping up everything in one jumbled mess.
You must read a lot. Start with simple books and texts on genres and topics that you enjoy. Make this ritual a daily habit. Keep a detailed log of everything you have read. Having daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals may help.
Form or join subject support clubs such as journalism or readers’ clubs together with peers who have the same objectives and who may help you keep the drive alive. Note down any new words you find and try to figure out what they mean in context before using a dictionary. Then find out how to pronounce them correctly and incorporate them in your speech and writing.
Properly file all the exam papers from past CATs and exams and use them for your revision. While doing so, you must understand the philosophy behind the questions and answers and not simply cram the answers by rote.
In addition, make your own notes from various books and other sources such as the internet. Always take notes when listening to teachers and other speakers.
When you get course books from the library, attempt as many exercises and activities as you can, with the guidance of your teachers. There is no harm in starting with Form 1 tasks. In fact, that is an ingenious revision strategy. Think of it as building a house from the foundation upwards.
In brief, there is no shame in learning a new language. Embrace the language and study it with impassioned zeal since it unlocks new possibilities.
Teacher (English/Literature), St Theresa’s Girls Kimilili, Bungoma county.
I also write educational articles on English literature on wekati.blogspot.com and more on KCSE English paper one oral skills on darasabora.blogspot.com
[email protected]. @wafulawekati
