GASPRO International Journal of Eminent Scholars

ABSTRACT

This study was to assess the attitude of undergraduate students in Akwa Ibom State towards

English literature. Expost facto research design was used in this study. The study was conducted

in Akwa Ibom State using tertiary institutions in the state (University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

University, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Akwa Ibom State College of Education Afaha Nsit, and

Akwa Ibom State College of Science and Technology). The population of the study comprised

undergraduate students from the five institutions. Simple random sampling technique was

adopted in selecting 30 undergraduate students from each of the 5 institutions, giving a total of

150 respondents for the study. The instrument used in this study was a questionnaire titled

“Attitude of Undergraduate Students towards English Literature Questionnaire (AUGSTELQ)”.

Face and content validation of the instrument was carried out by expert in test and measurement

in Akwa Ibom State College of Education to ensure that the instrument has the accuracy,

appropriateness, completeness. Cronbach Alpha technique was used to determine the level of

reliability of the instrument. The reliability coefficient obtained was 0.79 and this was high

enough to justify the use of the instrument. The researcher subjected the data generated for this

study to appropriate statistical techniques. The test for significance was done at 0.05 alpha

levels. The study reveals that Literature explore the attitudes of learners towards literary texts

and different teaching methodologies that benefit from authentic literature in the Nigeria

context. It was concluded that there is significant difference in the attitude of male and female

undergraduate students in Akwa Ibom State towards English literature. One of recommendations

was that literature teachers should make a conscious effort to make literature teaching more

interesting to boys, they tend to struggle with literature activities. Specifically, text topics for

discussion should ensure that boy’s interest is also met.

KEYWORDS: literature, attitude, Students, English, undergraduate