CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
Primary School as the first level of Nigerian education occupies the starting point and background for other levels of education. Besides, it is through it, that an individual pupil is introduced, acquainted and acquires the rudimentary knowledge, skills and attitude towards acquiring education up to the secondary school and even tertiary institutions. Primary education as referred to in the National Policy on Education (NPE), is the education given in institutions for children aged 6-1 1 plus (FRN, 2012). It is the first stage and compulsory education. Primary education is preceded by preschool or nursery education and followed by secondary education. The primary education is the first six years of the nine years of basic education using the Universal Basic Education (UBE) standard. This stage of education is often addressed as elementary education. In most countries of the world, primary education is compulsory for children to receive although it is permissible for parents to provide it.
The place of primary education is very paramount because it is the foundation of adults’ contribution to developmental processes. In other words, basic education makes a child a better adult. Primary education is to the educational system; and the nation at large, what the mind is to the body.
According to Quadri (2001) the Section 4, page 12 of the National Policy on Education (2004) described primary education as the “education given in an institution for children aged normally between 6 years to 11 years plus.” The primary education level is the key to the success or failure of the whole educational edifice because the rest of the educational system is built upon it. Primary education according to the National Policy on Education (NPE, 2004) is likened to the key which opens to success or failure of the whole educational system. Akande (2010) reiterated Njoku (2000) regarded primary education as very vitaland fundamental to all types of education any person can receive in life.
Primary education is the foundation of formal education. It is an essential component in the echelon of educational system of every nation. In order to qualify for other levels of education one must first pass through primary schools, as such it is an institution upon which all other levels of education and educational achievements are built. It prepares the mind and trains the child for higher and tougher academic pursuits. It provides young learners with the fundamentals of reading, writing, skill acquisition, information and attitudes necessary for proper adjustment into the society. Unfortunately, though not all recipients of primary education get to other levels.
In the teaching of pupils in Primary school, English language occupies the role of both language of instruction and as one the core and compulsory subjects that the students must undergo. The importance of language to man is great. Language is one of man’s most remarkable attributes. It is an absolute precondition for nearly all our social life, and it is the medium in which most organized thought and communication proceed.Highlighting the importance of language to man, Adetugbo (1980) states that “all human societies and institutions are made possible only by man’s possession of language”.
Odusina (1989) in his view observes that “without language, there would be mental isolation and thought stagnation in interaction either”. Closely related to this, Obanya (1981) said that language is seen as “man’s most important gift, the vehicle for communication and a good instrument for thought and creativity”. For Pickering and Hoeper (1990) language is, “the means  by which the writer controls and influences the reader”. Language is so important in teaching and learning process such that the Nigerian government appreciates it as a means for promoting social interaction and national cohesion (FRN, 2004).
English language is a language of communication in Nigerian society. It is a language of medium instructions, as a Lingual Franca, useful in all facets of lives in Nigeria. English as a second language is useful between the encoder and decoders. It is a language meant for a medium of communication by instructors (teachers) in the school. English is a compulsory subject to be taken to qualify students to enter the universities, and to pass WASSCE NECO, NABTEB and other public examinations. English carries our major instruments of communication in various ministries, parastatals, universities, business centre, cyber café, embassies, airports, seaports, and in our major highways. The original owners of English language were the natives of Britains or United Kingdom which comprises of Wales in Queen Elizabeth, domain, Scotland among the Scottish, North Ireland and among the English people of England. English language gradually became an international language through the act of colonization of British in an attempt to explore the whole worlds (Oribabor, 2014).