Enhancing the Motivation to Learn the Igbo Language and Culture

The Use of Computer assisted Language Learning

Abstract

Technological innovation and the advancement of new language teaching pedagogies culminating in the Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) have had tremendous impact on the teaching and learning of languages, beyond the English language. To make learning of Igbo language and culture enjoyable, productive and effective, it is necessary to benefit from the opportunity that technology provides us with. Therefore, CALL in teaching the Igbo language is imperative in order to maintain pace with global changes. This study uses a developed CALL multimedia intervention package named ILLMuPac (Igbo Language Learning Multimedia Package) to determine the impact of CALL on the teaching and learning of Igbo and cultural heritage. It assesses the effect of the CALL package on junior secondary school (JSS) students’ motivation to the learning of Igbo and the cultural heritage of the Igbo people of the southeast Nigeria. Adopting a descriptive survey, the study raised three research questions and tested two hypotheses which were
answered using data collected from 5 Igbo language teachers as well as 45 JSS students. Students’ Motivation to learn the Igbo Language and Cultural Heritage Inventory was the research instrument used for the study. Data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation, while statistical significance of 0.05 level was determined through t-test and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The findings showed a significant effect of ILLMuPac on students’ motivation to learn Igbo and the cultural heritage of the Igbo people. Based on the findings, the study recommends among other things that the Igbo language teachers should be advised to vary their methods, techniques and ways of teaching according to their students’
needs, capabilities and interests.