Difficulties in the study and use of concord A case study of Chansa Junior High School

Abstract

One of the basic grammatical rules often abused by basic school students is that regarding the use of grammatical concord. Thus, many Junior High School learners are challenged in the appropriate use of grammatical concord which obstructs communication. In line with this the study explored the difficulties in the study and use of concord among students of Chansa Junior High School. The theoretical arguments of this study are grounded in the dependency grammar theory and the syntactic theory. The qualitative research approach was used in the study. In all, fifty-six (56) students and two (2) teachers participated in the study. Purposive and quota sampling techniques were used to select the teachers and students respectively. Data collection for the study was done using interviews, observations and content analysis of the essays of students. Data analysis was done using thematic analysis. The study revealed that the students had very poor knowledge of general basic grammar, especially in the area of agreement (concord). Tenses used were particularly chaotic. The pedagogical treatment of grammatical structures by the teachers has been ineffective. The study recommended that the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service and the Metropolitan Director of Education are advised to frequently organize workshops, seminars and refresher courses that will help enhance the professional skills and knowledge of the teachers. Teachers are advised to use a more creative and simulative approach to the teaching of grammatical concord to build students’ confidence in grammar