Abstract

This study sought to establish how library resources influence pupils’ acquisition of skills in English language in public primary schools in Nairobi, Kenya. Mixed Methods Research design and descriptive analysis was employed. The study instruments included: questionnaires (headteachers, teachers of English and grade 6 pupils), structured interviews, observation checklist form and an English Assessment Test used to gauge English proficiency level of the pupils. These instruments yielded both quantitative and qualitative data. The study participants included 41 headteachers, 260 teachers of English and 316 grade 6 pupils. Using thematic analysis, qualitative data was analysed and tables, frequencies and percentages were used for the quantitative data. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient analysis was used to test the null hypothesis and show correlations between utilization of library resources and pupils’ acquisition of skills in English language. To show relationships between the independent and dependent variables, means and standard deviations were used. The study findings established library resources influence the acquisition of reading skills where pupils stock of vocabulary and grammar is enhanced improving their fluency in oral speaking skills, writing skills and imparting both confidence in expressing themselves in English publicly and with their peers. Libraries’ resources instill curiosity in young readers as they provide a wide array of reading resources. Library resources help nurture reading cultures and these have the ripple effect of enhancing the other skills in English of writing, listening, speaking and digital skills. Library resources showed strong and very strong relationships in listening, speaking, reading, writing and digital skills. There is a positive statistically significant correlation between library resources and pupils’ acquisition of skills in English language in specific skills (r = 714**, n=260, p =.001) ultimately rejecting the null hypothesis at 0.01 significance level.

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