Abstract

This study investigated intercultural competence and access to native speakers as predictors of students' achievement in Literature in English in Ogun State, Nigeria. This study adopted the survey research design of the correlational type. Simple random sampling technique was used to select six senior secondary schools from sixteen Senior Secondary schools enumerated in Abeokuta Local Government Area of Ogun State. Fifty students were randomly selected from each school, making a total of 300 students. In all, 300 students participated in the study. Three instruments will be used to collect data in this study: Ranking Scale on Students' Access to Native Speakers (r=0.74), Ranking Scale on Students Intercultural Competence (r=0.76) and Literature in English Achievement Test (r=0.78). Data collected were analysed using frequency counts, percentages and Multiple Regression Analysis. Findings of the study revealed that relationship existed between the independent variables (students' access to native speakers and intercultural competence) and achievement in literature-in-English. The result indicates that students' access to native speakers (r = .316) and intercultural competence (r =.297) had positive relationship with students' achievement in Literature-in-English. Also, it showed that the joint contribution of the students' access to native speakers and intercultural competence to achievement in literature in English was significant (F = 17.976; Adj. R2 =.102; p =.000<0.05). It revealed that students' access to native speakers (β = .215 ) and (2; 297) intercultural competence (β = .135) had relative contribution to achievement in literature in English. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that teachers should improve the level of proficiency of students. Towards this end, supplementary books that can help to boost students' language proficiency could be recommended to them. Periodically, schools should make arrangements to take children on an excursion or to go on field trips to regions, states, cultural sites that will enhance their cultural understanding of other places other than their immediate environment.