SOCIOLOLINGUISTIC SURVEYS - Centre for Language Studies

TRA = Translation NMT = Not mother tongue
FU = Failing to Understand N/A = Not applicable
According to Tables 56 above, the most common problems pupils face in studying
English are “failing to understand”, followed by “difficult words”, and “spelling”
respectively. These problems are related and may, in fact, reflect on the teaching style
the teachers adopt at this level. There may be more emphasis put on rote learning than
understanding.
Table 57:
Nature Of Problems In Studying Chichewa
District DW GR SPG RDG SPKG COMP I
B
COMPR WTG TR
A
PRO NMT FU OTHE
R
Chitipa 6.8 0.8 0.8 3.0 1.5 0.8 2.3 2.3 0.8 75.6
Karonga 3.6 2.0 1.2 0.8 0.8 0.4 0.8 0.8 0.8 6.9 79.4
Rumphi 4.6 4.6 1.1 1.1 1.1 3.1 81.6
Mzimba 5.0 2.2 0.2 1.9 1.0 0.5 0.2 0.5 0.2 0.7 0.2 5.3 77.5
Nkhata
Bay
5.6 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 2.7 82.3
N/A
Key: DW = Difficult words GR = Grammar
SPG = Spelling RDG = Reading
COMP = Composition SPKG = Speaking
IB = Inadequate books CMPR = Comprehension
WTG = Writing PRO = Pronunciatio
TRA = Translation NMT = Not mother tongue
FU = Failing to understand N/A = Not applicable
Table 57 indicates that pupils find Chichewa “vocabulary” to be the most difficult aspect
in their study of the language followed by “spelling” and “pronunciation” respectively.
However, it should be noted that a very high percentage of the responses were not
applicable. This may suggest that as compared to English most of the pupils were not
quite sure of the nature of their problems with Chichewa.
A further question requested pupils to indicate whether or not science would be much
easier if it was taught in a mother tongue. The following results were obtained:
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