Issue

Vol. 7 No. 1 (2018)

An Investigation of Performance in National English Language Examinations in Tanzania: A Curriculum Processes Perspective

https://doi.org/10.56279/jhss.v7i1.61
gastor mapunda,

Corresponding Author(s) : gastor mapunda,

mapundag@gmail.com

Journal of Humanities & Social Science (JHSS), Vol. 7 No. 1 (2018)

Abstract

This paper is a result of observations of teachers, employers and language researchers
that many Tanzanian students who are at the ordinary level of secondary education have
not been doing well in their national English language examinations. The results became
worse in the 2012 examinations. The current study focused on curricula processes, namely
syllabus preparation, teacher preparedness for handling syllabus demands, examination
processes, and how all these are coordinated. Using semi-structured interview,
questionnaire, and documentary review methods, the findings reveal that there are
inefficiencies when it comes to engaging some important stakeholders such as teachers,
parents, and learners. Additionally, the consulted teachers suggested that there is a
general unawareness among teachers of the pedagogical demands of the 2005 syllabus in
the classroom, and that there is a general deficiency in the number of good quality wellprepared teachers of English. The functions of curriculum developers, teachers and the
national examinations council are barely coordinated. The paper recommends that there
be established an oversight unit in the Ministry responsible for education to coordinate
the functions of these actors.

Keywords

Tanzania examinations English language performance secondary education
An Investigation of Performance in National English Language Examinations in Tanzania: A Curriculum Processes Perspective. (2020). Journal of Humanities & Social Science (JHSS), 7(1). https://doi.org/10.56279/jhss.v7i1.61
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
BibTeX
References
  1. Breen, M. P. & C. Candlin. 2001. The Essentials of a Communicative Curriculum in Language
  2. Teaching. In D. Hall & A. Hewings (eds). Innovation in English Language Teaching: A Reader. London:
  3. Routledge (pp. 9–26).
  4. Criper, C. & W. A. Dodd. 1984. Report on the Teaching of the English Language and its Use as a Medium
  5. in Education in Tanzania. Dar es Salaam: The British Council.
  6. Farr, J. L., H. Sin & P. E. Tesluk. 2003. Knowledge Management Processes and Work Group
  7. Innovation. In L.V. Savinina (ed). The International Handbook of Innovation. Oxford: Pergamon.
  8. Harmer, J. 1983. The Practice of English Language Teaching. London and New York: Longman.
  9. Hymes, D. H. 1971. On Communicative Competence. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.
  10. Karaka? A. 2013. Is Communicative Language Teaching a Panacea in ELT? – Student and Teacher
  11. Perspectives. Journal of Second and Multiple Language Acquisition. 1(1): 1–20.
  12. Makewa, L.N., E. Role & E. Tuguta. 2013. Students’ Perceived Level of English Proficiency in
  13. Secondary Schools in Dodoma, Tanzania. International Journal of Instruction, 6(2): 35–52.
  14. Mapunda, G. 2015. The Changing Roles of English in Tanzania: Past and Present. In M. Michieka &
  15. Elhindi, Y. (eds). The Changing Roles of English in Eastern Africa. Champaign, IL: Common Ground
  16. Publishing. pp 34–57 (ISBN 978-1-61229-642-5).
  17. —. 4 February, 2016. The Medium of Instruction Debate: Why Should Tanzania be Ambivalent? Dar
  18. es Salaam: The Daily News.
  19. Mbunda, F., C. J. Brumfit, D. Constable & C. P. Hill. 1980. Language Teaching in Secondary Schools. In
  20. E.C. Polome & C.P. Hill (eds). Language in Tanzania. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  21. Mwalimu, S. (8 January), 2016. Ndalichako Tasks NECTA Over System. Dar es Salaam: The Citizen
  22. Newspaper.
  23. Nation, I. S. P. & J. Macalister. 2010. Language Curriculum Design. New York: Taylor & Francis.
  24. National Examination Council of Tanzania (NECTA). 2011. Examination Results Statistics 2006–2010.
  25. Dar es Salaam: National Examinations Council of Tanzania.
  26. —. 2016. Examination Results Statistics 2011–2015. Dar es Salaam: National Examinations Council of
  27. Tanzania.
  28. —. 2013. Examiners’ Report on the Performance of Candidates CSEE, 2013: 022 English Language. Dar es
  29. Salaam: National Examinations Council of Tanzania.
  30. Nekke, S. M. 2005. The Medium of Instruction in Tanzania: Reflections on Language, Education and
  31. Society. Changing English, (12(1): 73–83. DOI: 10.1080/1358684052000340470
  32. Nunan, D. 1988. Syllabus Design. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  33. —. 2004. Task-Based Language Teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  34. Petzell, M. 2012. The Linguistic Situation in Tanzania. Moderna Språk 1: 136–144.
  35. Richards, J. C. 2013. Curriculum Approaches in Language Teaching: Forward, Central, and Backward
  36. Design. RELC Journal. 44(2): 5–33. DOI: 10.1177/0033688212473293
  37. Roy-Campbel L, Z. M. & M. A. S. Qorro. 1997. Language Crisis in Tanzania: The Myth of English versus
  38. Education. Dar es Salaam: Mkuki na Nyota.
  39. Sahney, S., S. Banwet & S. Karunes. 2004. Conceptualizing Total Quality Management in Higher
  40. Education. The TQM Magazine, 16(2):145–159.
  41. Steiner I.D. 1972. Group Process and Productivity. New York: Academic Press.
  42. Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE). 2004. Report on Rapid Survey for Reviewing Secondary Education
  43. Curriculum in Tanzania Mainland. Dar es Salaam: Ministry of Education and Culture.
  44. Widdowson, H. G. 1984. Educational and Pedagogic Factors in Syllabus Design in General English
  45. Syllabus Design, ELT Documents 118: 23-28. Oxford: Pergamon Press in association with the British
  46. Council.
Read More
Author biographies is not available.

How to Cite

An Investigation of Performance in National English Language Examinations in Tanzania: A Curriculum Processes Perspective. (2020). Journal of Humanities & Social Science (JHSS), 7(1). https://doi.org/10.56279/jhss.v7i1.61
Download

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.