The Effects of Communicative Language Method of Teaching Verb Tenses on Students’ Performance in Written Essay in Colleges of Education

Abstract

This research addresses the issue of incorrect usage of verb tenses in written essays by students, particularly in Nigerian tertiary institutions. The problem is attributed to language transfer and inadequate teaching methods. The study investigates the impact of verb tense instruction on students' essay performance in colleges of education in Bauchi State, Nigeria, using a quasi-experimental design. Findings indicate that the communicative language method effectively improves students' essay performance. While gender alone does not significantly affect performance, its interaction with the teaching method shows significance. Recommendations include adopting communicative language methods in various classes, providing teacher training on modern language pedagogies, and guiding student teachers in applying the communicative language method.