Thesis Abstract

Abstract
This research project aims to investigate the impact of short service SMS on English language usage among students in selected secondary schools. The study will focus on how the use of SMS language influences students' proficiency in formal English. The research will be conducted in a sample of secondary schools where students are active users of SMS and other messaging platforms. The research will employ both quantitative and qualitative methods to gather data. Surveys will be conducted to collect information on students' frequency of SMS use, their proficiency in formal English, and their attitudes towards SMS language. Additionally, focus group discussions and interviews will be conducted to gain deeper insights into students' perceptions and experiences related to SMS language and its impact on their English language skills. The findings of this research are expected to provide valuable insights into the relationship between SMS language and English language usage among secondary school students. The study aims to contribute to the existing literature on language use in digital communication contexts and inform educational practices aimed at enhancing students' English language proficiency. Overall, this research project seeks to address the gap in understanding how SMS language affects students' formal English language usage. By exploring this relationship, the study aims to provide recommendations for educators on how to leverage students' familiarity with SMS language to improve their English language skills. Ultimately, the findings of this research are expected to have implications for language teaching and learning strategies in secondary schools, particularly in the context of digital communication technologies. In conclusion, this research project will shed light on the dynamics of language use in digital communication contexts and its impact on students' English language proficiency. By examining the role of SMS language in shaping students' language skills, the study seeks to contribute to a better understanding of how educators can support students in developing their formal English language abilities while acknowledging their use of informal digital communication practices.

Thesis Overview

The advent of the technology called Global System of Mobile Communication (GSM) has brought in a paradigm shift from the conventional English Language Writing, to what researchers now call SMS system of communication. This has been observed in many places as well as Nigeria. English language being an official language in Nigeria and fast becoming a global language cannot diffuse into un-intelligibility through such influences like SMS language. The importance of language generally to man is such that any virus that portends catastrophe to it attracts special attention. Some research works have been carried out to trace the influence of the emerging trends on the users of this technology; this project is one of researchers aims at identifying the influence of SMS language on the writing performance of secondary school students, in Nsukka Urban Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. An extensive literature review has been carried out on the GSM technology, its special features especially the Short Message Services (SMS) that brought in this encoding of English language through text message, computer mediated communication, the importance and dynamics of language and other relevant aspects of the project topic. From the foregoing it is obvious that the SMS of GSM influences students ’ writing.