English Language in Secondary School: Why Orals and Lexis Kill More Students Than Comprehension – The Hidden Traps WAEC Sets

You have seen it happen. The student who speaks excellent English, the one who reads novels for fun, the one pastors call to read the first bible reading during Sunday service – that same student comes out of WAEC English examination looking like someone who has seen a ghost. “English was tough,” they say. And you wonder: how can English be tough for someone who speaks it so well?

Then result day comes. That student scores C5 or C6 in English. Or worse, a D or E. Meanwhile, the quiet student who never speaks in public but spent three months drilling past questions scores B3. The whole school is confused.

Rhetorical question: How can a student who cannot construct a proper sentence in conversation score higher than a student who speaks flawless English?

As a senior journalist at Akahi News, I have investigated this puzzle for years. I have sat with WAEC examiners, analysed marking schemes, and interviewed students who failed English despite being “good” at the subject. The answer is shocking but simple: WAEC English is not a test of your ability to speak English. It is a test of specific technical skills – and orals and lexis are where most students bleed marks.

Comprehension? That is easy. You read a passage, you answer questions. Any good reader can do that. But orals (phonetics) and lexis (vocabulary in context) are designed to trap you. WAEC sets hidden traps in these sections, and 70% of candidates fall into them.

This article exposes every trap. Read carefully. Your WAEC English grade depends on it.

The Great Misunderstanding: Fluency is Not Exam Success

Let me kill a common myth right now. Being able to speak English fluently does not guarantee a good WAEC grade. Why? Because WAEC does not test how well you speak. It tests how well you understand the mechanics of English – the rules, the exceptions, the sounds, the stress patterns, the obscure vocabulary.

Your uncle who speaks “grammar” perfectly may fail WAEC English if he has never studied phonetics. Your classmate who mixes tenses in conversation may score an A because she memorised lexical patterns.

Rhetorical question: Have you ever wondered why WAEC includes orals and lexis at all if comprehension is the true test of understanding?

Because WAEC wants to separate the naturally fluent from the technically proficient. And technical proficiency is what earns marks. This is where Akahi Tutors, Ile-Ife, steps in. The centre does not assume you know English because you speak it. They teach you the specific traps WAEC sets in orals and lexis. Call 08038644328 or WhatsApp wa.me/2348038644328.

Section One: Why Orals (Phonetics) Kills More Students Than Any Other Section

Let me be blunt. Most Nigerian secondary schools do not teach orals properly. Some schools skip it entirely. Teachers say “orals is too difficult” or “WAEC doesn’t ask much from orals.” That is a lie. WAEC asks plenty from orals, and students who ignore it bleed marks by the bucket.

Orals (also called Phonetics) tests your ability to identify speech sounds, stress patterns, and intonation. It has nothing to do with how well you speak. It is pure technical memory.

The Hidden Trap 1: Words That Look Alike but Sound Different

WAEC loves to give four words that look similar but have different vowel sounds. For example:

• Bead / bid / bed / bad
• Sheep / ship / shape / shop
• Heart / hat / hut / hot

These words look close on paper. But their vowel sounds are completely different. A student who only reads silently (without sounding words aloud) will fail these questions every time.

Strategy: Learn the phonetic alphabet. At minimum, learn the difference between /i:/ (as in “see”) and /ɪ/ (as in “sit”). Learn /e/ (as in “bed”) vs /æ/ (as in “bad”). This small knowledge will save you on at least five WAEC questions.

The Hidden Trap 2: Stress Placement – Where the Emphasis Falls

WAEC will give you a word and ask: “Which syllable is stressed?” For example, the word “photography.” Where is the stress? Many students say the first syllable (PHO-to-gra-phy). Wrong. The stress is on the second syllable: pho-TO-gra-phy.

Here is the trap: Nigerian English often places stress differently from standard WAEC English. What you hear on Nollywood or from your local pastor may be wrong by WAEC standards.

Common stress patterns to memorise:

• PHO-tograph (noun) vs pho-TO-graphy
• E-conomy vs eco-NO-mic
• DE-monstrate vs de-mons-TRA-tion
• PO-litics vs po-LI-tical

Strategy: Get a WAEC orals text (like “Oral English for Schools and Colleges” by Ayo Akano). Memorise stress patterns for common word families. This is pure memory work – no intelligence needed, just effort.

The Hidden Trap 3: Consonant Sounds that Nigerian Languages Mix Up

WAEC knows that many Nigerian languages do not have certain English sounds. For example, the /θ/ sound (as in “think”) does not exist in Yoruba, Igbo, or Hausa. So Nigerians often pronounce “think” as “tink.” WAEC tests these distinctions.

Other problem pairs:

• /f/ vs /v/ (fine vs vine)
• /s/ vs /z/ (sip vs zip)
• /b/ vs /v/ (ban vs van)
• /p/ vs /f/ (pan vs fan)

Strategy: Practise minimal pairs. Write down ten pairs of words that differ by one sound. Say them aloud. Record yourself. Compare with a standard pronunciation video on YouTube (search “minimal pairs British English”).

The Hidden Trap 4: Vowel Length – Long vs Short Vowels

WAEC will ask: “Which word has a different vowel sound?” For example: seat, sit, seem, seek. The odd one is “sit” because it has a short /ɪ/ while others have long /i:/.

Nigerian English often does not distinguish vowel length clearly. But WAEC does. And they test it ruthlessly.

Strategy: Learn the seven short vowels and five long vowels of English. Short: /ɪ, e, æ, ɒ, ʊ, ʌ, ə/. Long: /i:, ɜ:, ɔ:, u:, ɑ:/. Yes, this looks intimidating. But you do not need to master all. Start with the common ones that appear in WAEC – /ɪ/ vs /i:/, /ɒ/ vs /ɔ:/, /ʊ/ vs /u:/.

At Akahi Tutors, Ile-Ife, students are drilled on phonetics weekly. The centre provides simplified charts and group drills because it is understood that orals is the most neglected section in Nigerian schools. Call 08038644328 or WhatsApp wa.me/2348038644328.

Section Two: Lexis and Structure – The Vocabulary Execution Ground

If orals is the silent killer, lexis is the public executioner. Lexis tests your knowledge of words – not common words, but the kind of words that appear only in WAEC and advanced English texts. Structure tests your knowledge of grammar rules, including those that every Nigerian gets wrong.

The Hidden Trap 5: Words That Look Familiar but Mean Something Else Entirely

WAEC loves to give you four words. Three are common. One is rare but looks like it might mean something familiar. You choose the common one. You fail.

Example: “The chairman’s speech was greeted with ________ by the audience.” Options: (a) clapping (b) applause (c) hand-clapping (d) laudation. Most students pick “clapping” or “hand-clapping” because they are familiar. But the correct answer is “laudation” – a rare word meaning praise. “Applause” is also common, but “laudation” is the formal answer WAEC expects in that context.

Strategy: Keep a vocabulary notebook. Every time you see an unfamiliar word in a past WAEC question, write it down with its meaning and an example sentence. Review this notebook weekly.

The Hidden Trap 6: Prepositions – Small Words, Big Trouble

Prepositions (in, on, at, for, with, by, etc.) are the most common source of lexical errors. WAEC will give you a sentence with a missing preposition. The wrong answer always sounds “correct” to Nigerian ears.

Example: “He insisted ________ paying the bill.” Options: (a) on (b) in (c) at (d) for. Many Nigerians say “insisted in” or “insisted for.” But the correct preposition is “on” – insist on. Another example: “She prefers tea ________ coffee.” Options: (a) to (b) than (c) from (d) over. Nigerian English often says “prefer tea than coffee” (wrong). The correct is “prefer tea to coffee.”

Strategy: Memorise common verb-preposition pairs. “Congratulate on,” “accuse of,” “apologise for,” “apply for,” “believe in,” “consist of,” “depend on,” “object to,” “recover from,” “succeed in.” There are about fifty such pairs. Learn them like your life depends on it – because your WAEC grade does.

The Hidden Trap 7: Synonyms and Antonyms with No Context

WAEC will ask: “Select the word that is nearest in meaning to ‘ephemeral’.” Options: (a) eternal (b) beautiful (c) short-lived (d) dangerous. If you do not know “ephemeral,” you will guess. Most students guess “beautiful” because it sounds like “ethereal.” Wrong. The answer is “short-lived.”

Strategy: Read widely. But since WAEC is soon, focus on past questions. WAEC repeats synonyms and antonyms. If “ephemeral” appeared in 2019, a similar word like “transient” may appear in 2024. Build a synonym bank from past papers.

The Hidden Trap 8: Sentence Completion with “Almost Correct” Distractors

WAEC gives four options. Three are grammatically possible. One is best. The trap is that the wrong options are not obviously wrong. They are just slightly awkward.

Example: “The committee has ________ its report.” Options: (a) submitted (b) forwarded (c) concluded (d) released. In everyday Nigerian English, all four could work. But WAEC expects “submitted” because that is the formal collocation – a committee submits a report, it does not “forward” or “release” it (unless context suggests otherwise).

Strategy: Do not just look for “wrong” answers. Look for the most appropriate answer in standard British English. When in doubt, choose the most formal, most traditional option.

The Hidden Trap 9: Irregular Verbs and Their Obscure Forms

WAEC will test irregular verbs you thought you knew. “He has ________ the book on the table.” Options: (a) laid (b) lay (c) lied (d) lain. Confusion. “Lie” (to recline) has past tense “lay” and past participle “lain.” “Lay” (to place) has past tense “laid” and past participle “laid.” Many students mix them.

Strategy: Memorise the 50 most common irregular verbs in three columns: present, past, past participle. Practice using them in sentences.

Rhetorical question: Have you ever lost a WAEC English mark because you did not know the past participle of “ring” (rang, rung)? That is a preventable loss.

Akahi News has repeatedly advised students to treat lexis as a separate subject, not as an afterthought. Akahi Tutors, Ile-Ife, has compiled lexical drill banks that cover the words and structures WAEC repeats every year. Call 08038644328 or WhatsApp wa.me/2348038644328.

Section Three: Comprehension – Easier than You Think, But Still Deadly for the Unwary

Now, let me be clear. Comprehension is the easiest section for most students. But WAEC still sets traps here. Why? Because students become overconfident and stop reading carefully.

The Hidden Trap 10: “According to the Passage” Means What the Passage Says, Not What You Know

WAEC will ask a question that seems obvious. Your general knowledge screams one answer. The passage whispers another. If you answer from your knowledge, you lose the mark. You must answer strictly according to the passage, even if the passage is wrong by real-world standards.

Example: A passage claims that Lagos is the capital of Nigeria (it is not; Abuja is). A question asks: “According to the passage, what is the capital of Nigeria?” The answer is Lagos, because the passage said so. Your real knowledge is irrelevant.

Strategy: When you see “according to the passage,” ignore everything you know. Become a robot. Only repeat what the passage stated directly.

The Hidden Trap 11: Vocabulary in Context – The Word You Know May Have a Different Meaning Here

WAEC will pick a common word used in an uncommon way. For example, “The company weathered the storm.” The word “weathered” here does not mean “became old.” It means “survived.”

Strategy: Do not assume you know what a word means. Look at the sentence around it. Let context guide you.

Section Four: Essay Writing – The Surprisingly Small Killer

Essay writing gets the most attention from students. But here is the truth: essay is not what kills most candidates. Why? Because WAEC markers are generous with essays. You can make many errors and still score 50%. The real damage happens in orals, lexis, and structure – the objective sections where there is no partial credit.

Rhetorical question: Have you ever spent two weeks practising essay writing while ignoring orals completely? You are literally ignoring the section that will cost you the most marks.

Having said that, essay still has traps.

Trap 12: Not Answering the Exact Question Asked
If the question asks “Discuss the causes and effects of examination malpractice,” and you write only about causes, you lose up to 50% of your marks. Always answer every part of the question.

Trap 13: Poor Paragraphing
One solid block of text = automatic low marks. WAEC markers are humans. They need white space. Write at least five paragraphs.

Trap 14: Wrong Register
A letter to your uncle uses informal language. A speech to students uses semi-formal. A letter to the editor uses formal. Mix these up, and you lose marks.

Strategy for essay: Practise past essay questions with a timer. Write. Count your paragraphs. Mark yourself honestly. Improve.

The Akahi Tutors Method for English Language Mastery

Most students approach English Language like a “natural” subject – they believe that if they speak English well, they will pass. That is a catastrophic error. English Language is a technical subject with rules, patterns, and memorisation requirements just like Mathematics.

At Akahi Tutors, Ile-Ife, English is taught as a technical subject:

• Phonetics drills every week – stress, vowel sounds, consonant clusters
• Lexis banks – thousands of WAEC-repeated words with definitions and example sentences
• Structure clinics – common errors that Nigerian students make and how to avoid them
• Comprehension speed sessions – timed reading to build speed and accuracy
• Essay marking with detailed feedback – not just “good” but specific corrections on every error

Akahi Tutors also prepares students for WAEC, NECO, GCE, Post-UTME, Pre-degree, JUPEB, and School of Nursing entrance examinations. Students from the centre have gained admission into OAU Ile-Ife, UNN, UNILAG, UNICAL, UI, UNILORIN, and other top universities. Call 08038644328 or WhatsApp wa.me/2348038644328.

Frequently Asked Questions About WAEC English

Q: Is WAEC English harder than NECO English?
A: WAEC English tends to have more orals and trickier lexical items. NECO English is often more straightforward. But both require serious preparation.

Q: Can I pass WAEC English without studying orals?
A: Possibly, but you will struggle. Orals can account for 10-20 marks. Losing those marks may drop you from B3 to C5 or C6.

Q: How many past questions should I solve for English?
A: Minimum ten years. But focus on the objective sections (orals, lexis, structure). Those are where patterns repeat most clearly.

Q: What is the best book for WAEC orals?
A: “Oral English for Schools and Colleges” by Ayo Akano is a classic. Also, WAEC past questions themselves are the best resource.

Q: My teacher does not teach orals. What do I do?
A: Take responsibility. Watch YouTube tutorials (search “WAEC orals phonetics”). Download free phonetics apps. Practice with friends who are also serious. Join a tutorial centre like Akahi Tutors that prioritises orals.

Q: How can I improve my lexis quickly?
A: Past questions. Past questions. Past questions. Write down every unfamiliar word from ten years of WAEC English objective. Memorise them. You will see repeats.

Final Words from Joseph Iyaji, Akahi News

Dear Nigerian secondary school student, let me speak plainly. English Language is the most important subject in your WAEC examination. Why? Because if you fail English, no university in Nigeria will admit you. Not OAU. Not UNILAG. Not UI. Not UNN. Not UNICAL. Not UNILORIN. None. English is compulsory. Mathematics is also compulsory, but English is first.

Yet most students treat English as a “village people” subject – something that will just happen. They read for Mathematics. They read for Physics. They read for Biology. But English? “I speak English already.” That mindset has destroyed more admissions than any other single factor.

Orals will kill you if you ignore it. Lexis will kill you if you ignore it. The hidden traps WAEC sets are not hidden because they are deep. They are hidden because students do not bother to look for them. They assume the exam is easy. Then they bleed marks silently.

Do not be that student. Take English Language as seriously as you take any science subject. Drill orals. Build your lexis. Learn the preposition pairs. Memorise irregular verbs. Practise past questions until the patterns become obvious.

Rhetorical question: Will you spend one hour daily on orals and lexis for the next three months, or will you complain when your WAEC result shows C6 in English?

The choice is yours – and your admission depends on it.

If this article opened your eyes to the hidden traps in WAEC English, do not keep it to yourself. Share it with every secondary school student you know. Share it with parents whose children are preparing for WAEC. Share it in every class WhatsApp group.

Follow Akahi News daily for more exam strategies, admission tips, and educational truths that your teachers may never tell you.

Go and conquer English. Orals and lexis will not defeat you again.