An evaluation of teaching and learning Facilities on acquisition of language skills by Pre-school learners in Kabianga division, Kericho county, Kenya

Abstract

Learning facilities are immensely crucial and important to both the learners and the teachers. The presence of learning facilities may have positive influence in acquisition of language skills whereas their absence may hinder acquisition of language skills by ECDE learners. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the availability of teaching and learning facilities and its influence in acquisition of language skills among ECDE learners in Kabianga division, Kericho County. This study was guided by the following objectives: To find out the availability of learning facilities within ECD centres in Kabianga Division; to find out the role of learning and teaching resources in acquisition of language skills among ECDE learners; to establish the importance of play equipment in acquisition of language skills among ECDE learners. The language acquisition device (LAD) theory by Noam Chomsky was used. The researcher adopted descriptive survey design for the study. The target population comprised of 53 ECDE teachers and 482 ECDE pupils from the selected schools. Stratified random sampling was used to select public and private pre- school centres. The instruments of data collection were questionnaires to which the respondents had to respond to in writing. Observation schedule was also used whereby the researcher visited selected ECDE centers and evaluated the use of teaching and learning facilities available in the pre-school. To analyse data, the researcher used descriptive statistics. Data analysis was also done qualitatively using content analysis. Data analysed are presented using tables, pie charts and graphs. The findings revealed that teaching and learning facilities make the learners enjoy learning and more so enhances acquisition of language skills. The findings further revealed that lack of teaching and learning resources in ECDE centers hinders acquisition of language skills among ECDE learners. This study concluded that teaching and learning facilities should be adequately provided to ECDE centers to promote language development among learners. It is recommended that the school should purchase learning materials while on the other hand teachers should also improvise teaching aids during classroom teaching. The findings are useful to the community, Ministry of Education, ECDE learners, policy makers, future researchers and stakeholders in various Educational Institutions.