LANGUAGE ABILITY AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AS PREDICTORS OF SENIOR SECONDARY STUDENTS’ ACHIEVEMENT IN BIOLOGY IN ZARIA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigates the predictive effects of language skills and emotional intelligence on Biology achievement among students in Zaria, Kaduna state, Nigeria. Grounded in sociocultural framework, the study employed a descriptive design to predict students’ achievement. Population of the study comprised all public Senior Secondary school two (SSII) students with 152 randomly selected. Data collection instruments include Biology Achievement Test (BAT) with r= 0.92 for Achievement, Oxford Test English (OTE, 2024) for proficiency in academic language and Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-I) with r= 0.90 for emotional intelligence levels. Data was analyzed descriptively while Multiple Regression Analysis statistic (MRA) was used to determine the predictive strength of language skills and emotional intelligence on Biology achievement at ᵅ 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that both language ability and emotional intelligence are predictors of students’ achievement, with emotional intelligence revealing more effect. The study recommends among others that Biology instructors should incorporate language development strategies and emotional intelligence training to enhance students’ comprehension and academic success.