©ARC Page | 93 Teachers ’ Perception of Correlates of Students ’ Language Competence and Achievement in Biology

Abstract: The study examined teachers ’ perceptions of factors that hinder students ’ achievement in Biology. A sample of 153 teachers responded to a 21-item questionnaire on correlates of language competence in biology. Using relative frequencies of biology teachers ’ responses, analysis of data identified nonchalant attitudes, declining reading culture and misinterpretation of questions, linguistic interference of mother tongue with English, visual illiteracy, wrong spellings, limited biological vocabulary and defective study habits as some of the factors that might impede students ’ performance and interest in biology classrooms. Hence, it is suggested that continuous exposure of students to effective reading culture, constructive English language skills, good teaching with multimedia devices, and remediation of emerging learning difficulties can enhance their language and communicative competence, comprehension and achievement in biology. 1