INVESTIGATING THE DIFFICULTIES OF THE USE OF AUXILIARY VERB: A CASE OF THE PUPILS OF TENGEKORFE L/A JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

ABSTRACT This research work investigated the challenges that the pupils at the Tengekorfe Basic 8 face in using auxiliary verbs. It looks at the factors that are responsible for the challenges and difficulties that pupils face in the use of the auxiliary verbs. The nature of the problem was scrutinized using error analysis which informed the suggested solutions and ways of improving upon the use of the auxiliary verbs. As such, qualitative research design was explored. 36 pupils were sampled with teachers, parents and other authorities concerned to respond to the research instruments used. Tests, interviews and observations were used in this research to gather the data needed. The study revealed that most of the pupils commit errors both in spoken and written language in an attempt to use auxiliary verbs. They used the auxiliary verbs with a wrong tense. This was evidenced in their pretest and the interviews conducted and the observations made by the researcher. The study also revealed that the environment did not help the pupils to regularly practice what they learnt. Another finding of this study is that most parents did not provide their wards with supplementary study materials that will help them improve upon their language use effectively. The teaching methods used by the teachers were also found to be stereotyped and theory-oriented without practical activities. The study therefore suggests complementary teaching methods in practical terms that will make the pupils to remember the concepts of the use of auxiliary verbs with ease. A recommendation was put forward that in-service training workshops should be organized for teachers to improve upon their methods and techniques of teaching. Parents and guardians should also be enlightened to provide more study materials to the pupils at home and supervise them to adequately use them so as to overcome their difficulties in the use of auxiliary verb