Influence Of Teaching Phonology On Spoken English Of Secondary School Students
[A CASE STUDY OF ILORIN EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KWARA STATE]

Morphemes operate in word, words operate in phrase, phrases operate in clause and clauses operate in sentence, which is the highest in hierarchy. To say that two or more languages belong to the same family means that they are related or are descendants of a common ancestral lineage, that is, within each of these families there is definite or almost definite proof to a common ancestry. The Nigerian languages share common characteristics. Whereas, English and Nigerian languages belong to different language families.
Hall (1998), defines language as the institution whereby humans communicate and interact with one another by means of habitual use of oral auditory symbol.
According to Robbins (1999), language is a system of habit being constructed in a particular and repeated sense. However, this habit can change over time with their consensus.
Obilade (1997), opines that language is a system of symbols used for communication. Charles Hocket who for over ten years researched on language, brings out the distinctive features that characterized language. They include:
1. Interchangeability: That adult in a linguistic community receives and transmits language signs.
2. Complete feedback: The person who gives a message also receives feed back from the message.
    Animasaun and Ibileye (2000), Identify the following functions of English language:
    English language as a Language of administration. According to them, English is the language used for administration in Nigeria. To them, this has made the English language to have a stand and become prominent in this country since colonial period till present time. All forms of administrative undertaking are done in English.
    Again, English is the language of instruction in schools. Apart from the first three years in the public primary schools, English is used for the purpose of instruction at all levels of the educational system.
    Also, English language determines admission. English language is a determining admission factor into institutions of higher learning.  Animasaun and Ibileye (2000), opine that English language is a pre-requisite for admission into institutions of higher learning. Students must have a credit pass in English at O’ level in order to be considered for admission to study any course of their choice.
English as Language of Legislation:  English is also the language of legislation. The legislative proceeding at national and state legislatures are conducted and documented in English language; examples: constitution; Laws, Decrees, Edicts and by-laws are all gazettes in English language.
Moreover, English is seen as Language of Mass Media:   English language is the language of mass media. Most electronic media programmes are transmitted to their audience in English. Same applies to the print media. Their news, stories, features, adverts and other contents are packaged and delivered in most cases in English. This is to cater for the interest of the heterogeneous groups that read news papers and magazines as well as listen to radio or watch television.
Okon (2007), sees English language as ‘’a gisting language” between friends and colleagues. He observes that most non-native speaker students find it difficult to speak their indigenous languages in addressing their peers.
Olanrewaju in her lecture note (2010), summed up the many functions of English language in four domains: these are language of official (administrative) education, media, religion and interpersonal domains.
    The language skills include listening, speaking, reading and writing (Olajide, 2007).
Listening Skill: This is the first skill in the sequence of language skills. It is also known as oral and receptive skill, Olajide (2007), says listening is instructive in the child because it makes him acquire other skills later in life. Listening takes place in the classroom when the pupils pay attention to the teacher in order to decode his message.
    Hence, the ability of the pupils to decode (understand) the message of the teachers correctly is referred to as Listening skill. Solademi (2002), views listening as paying attention to the message posed in order to have facts to reply upon. Also Olawale (2000), opines that listening skill is the backbone because without its acquisition other skills cannot take place.
Speaking Skill: Olajide (2007), observes that speaking skill is also known as oral and productive skill and that this skill is a automatically acquired by the child.