Abstract
This
article examines the use of English and it's relevance in tertiary institution,
it suggest a course content that will enhance the effectiveness of the programmed
(use of English). The article explains that the use of English in tertiary institution
is base on the awareness of the English language deficiency of Nigeria student and
the need for them to have communicative competence in the language to enable them
learn, since English is the basic medium of teaching in Nigeria. English Language
is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. About 1.6 billion people
speak it in the world, one in every five people in the world is versatile with the
English Language. Most opportunities around the world and in Nigeria are communicated
in this language, and are only accessible by people who are literate on the language.
It therefore entails that if the use of English is neglected in Nigeria universities,
then students will struggle or find it difficult to relate with the world, because
it is the most dominant lingua franca use in the World. However we discussed on
the poor standard of English of Nigeria students, English as a medium of teaching
and English as the dominant lingua franca in the world as an incite of the use of
English in Nigeria universities.
Introduction
English
which is the current dominant lingua franca of international diplomacy,
business, science, technology and aviation,
is the official language of 53 countries and is used as a lingua franca
(a mutually known language) by people from all around the world. This means
that whether you’re working in Beijing, or traveling in Brazil, studying
English can help you have a conversation with people from all over the world.
Based on research, there are about 6500 languages in the world, and the English
Language has about approximately 400 million speakers, and about 1.6 billion
people speak it, so no matter what country you are in the world, you will
surely be able to meet an English speaker to converse with. When considering
why you should study English, it is probably one of the most predominant
factors you must consider. One in five people in the world (the whole world!)
can speak or understand English. It’s a very handy language for travel and
communication. So to facilitate good communication, it is advisable to have
mastery of the English Language to avoid being stranded and unable to
communication.
Since
English is spoken in so many different countries, there are thousands of
schools and universities around the world that offer programs in English,
therefore Nigeria is not exempted. If you speak good academic English, there’re
lots of opportunities and benefit derive. However we will discuss three major
relevance of the use of English in Nigeria Universities. It will interest me to
point out the poor standard of English of Nigeria students, English as a medium
of teaching and English as the dominant lingua franca in the world as an incite of the
use of English in Nigeria universities.
The poor
standard of English of Nigeria students
The study is an overview of the linguistic competence of
students who learn and use English in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The
language of officialdom and formal education in Nigeria, English is studied by
the Nigerian learner towards mastery of different aspects of competence
including speech (segmental and supra-segmental phonemes) and writing (grammar,
punctuation and spelling). However, this study focuses on grammar and diction
(vocabulary). Twenty essay scripts of students of tertiary institutions are
examined from the perspective of contemporary English usage. The scripts are
compositions which cover four different kinds of essays: expository, narrative,
descriptive and argumentative essays. To aid the discussion which follows the
analysis, questionnaires are administered to forty students of tertiary
institutions in the country. The study reveals that: many students of tertiary
institutions in Nigeria do not use English effectively as far as grammar and
lexis are concerned. This worrisome situation is informed by obvious factors
which include poor pedagogical situations, negative attitudes and the
pragmatics of the Nigerian context. Keywords: Use of English, contemporary
English usage, linguistic competence, essay writing, grammar, diction 1.
Introduction English is studied in tertiary institutions in Nigeria because of
its lofty position in the ESL(English as a Second Language)-Nigerian-context.
The curriculums of the use of English in these institutions are therefore
prepared to develop competence in the use of English through knowledge of the
basic principles of grammar. Â At the end of the component, students should be
able to;
· Apply grammatical prescriptions correctly in
speech and writing
· Understand the nature of the writing
·
Process as different from speech
·
Understand the basic unit of every writing process the
sentence and its parts
·
Be able to write a paragraph and essay of different kinds;
·
acquire knowledge of writing other forms of modern
communication the form and style of
technical writing;
·
learn the principles/ techniques of book reviews; and
·
acquire the basic principles of modern information technique
Use of English as a requirement and necessity in Nigeria Universities
Attitudes
of the undergraduates towards the use of English may differ sharply. Those who are
learning English as a foreign language have no choice. It becomes a necessity, they
are to take on the language because of what it will do for them and. The ability
to speak a foreign language is widely viewed as one of the marks of an educated
person. It is recognized that learning to speak a foreign language well is a task
that takes time and effort. Those who do so are viewed by most people as having
achieved a significant goal.
In
contrast, for some undergraduates, learning English is not a choice but a requirement
for living in an English - speaking culture. Learning English may be for many a
significant break from culture and community. In literature, a label frequently
applied to one whose native language is not English is LEP (a person of "Limited
English proficiency"). This marks that person, not as someone who already controls
one's language and is in the process of acquiring a second but as someone who has
an English-Language deficiency. Too frequently, English as second language learners
are seen as problems needing to be remedied rather than as a resource.
English Is Used As A Medium Of Teaching In Nigeria
The
fact that English language is a medium of teaching in all level of education in
Nigeria, makes its paramount course to be studied in the tertiary institution,
this is why, One cannot gain admission into a tertiary institution in Nigeria
without passing English as a subject with distinction, even while clearing
every other subjects with distinction, if you do not pass English, you are not
considered pass at all. This is because
we can not communicate or learn if we can not understand the language used to
teach?.
English Language as the
most dominant lingua franca
The official language in Nigeria is English. So the lingua
franca in Nigeria is Queen’s English.
English is spoken throughout the nation of Nigeria, in families,
schools, colleges, universities, churches, mosques, I mean, everywhere in
Nigeria. The English language remained the official language in Nigeria, and it
is one language that has been widely used throughout the country. Since the
English language is used in schools to impart knowledge, as well as propagate
education, it, therefore, a compulsory course. This means that whether you’re
working in Beijing, or traveling in Brazil, studying the use of English can
help you have a conversation with people from all over the world. So how do we
intend to communicate with people around the world, if we are not conversant
with proper use of English?.
Therefore
as students, we would one day go out the
geographical area of Nigeria, then how do we tend to communicate properly if we
are not fluent with the use of English. Also most Nigeria gain scholarship to
study abroad, mostly to countries or universities whose basic language is
English, so this entails why ought to study the use of English in Nigeria
universities.
Conclusion
All
the students in Nigerian universities learn English language (Use of English).
These students take courses in order to refine their language skills, again
with the expectation that they will be able to compete successfully in classes
with very mature speakers. It is hard to imagine the modern world without the
English language. It is in the top three of the most spoken languages in the
world. English has become the lingua franca of travel, business, and
international communications. In fact, Nigeria is ranked 4th among countries
with the highest population of English speakers. But how important is English
for us?
Use of English is included in the curriculum of Nigeria
universities, so as to restructure the speaking ability of students, and also
inculcate proper use of other language skills. It also help in changing the bad
accent of Nigeria students and build a more better accent. English is the
medium of teaching in all level of education in Nigeria, that's why it becomes
a paramount course in Nigeria universities.
Source: Joe Dee
Tags: Education
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