A good percentage of this population is not yet literate and therefore may not communicate fluently in the standard nigeria english. The instrument was divided into four parts to cater for four variables. B 2031, yola adamawa state, nigeria richard kamai department of english, federal college of education, adamawa state, nigeria abstract the typical nigerian english language classroom has a large class size and lacks qualified language teachers. A general observation in the nigerian classrooms today is that spoken language has not been accorded the recognition it rightly deserves. Today the english language could be named as one of the most widely used languages in the world. It appears to be the second language in lots of countries.
Going by this historical position, it is safe to conclude that english predates colonization in nigeria. Currently, english is the official language in most african countries, which are the former colonies of great britain. Mothertongue interference on english language pronunciation. Quantitative indicators from cameroon, nigeria, rwanda, bangladesh and pakistan the findings of this study were developed through primary source interviews across a wide cross section of private and public sector subjects. This role falls on the english language which is the nations official and second language, as well as her lingua franca. Nigeria and the roles of english language from historical perspectives. Hausa was an official language of the northern states from 1951 to 1967. Other than the local african dialects, it is the most common language spoken in that country. Effects of feedback intervention on teamteaching in english. The fourth discusses language maintenance and language shift in nigeria with respect to the indigenous languages and english, the exoglossic language. Implications for national development article pdf available april 2014 with 11,256 reads how we measure reads.
There are over 500 native languages spoken in nigeria. In nigeria, english is the second language for many students and also the language of instruction beginning from grade 3. However, it is believed that the first intimate contact between the british and some ethnic groupings in nigeria was in southern nigeria. African, asian and south american countries are called developing, underdeveloped or third world countries. The core section of the monograph investigates language policy and planning, with an emphasis on the mother tongue medium or first language policy and the multilingual policy. Language, being a potent vehicle of transmitting cultures, values, norms and beliefs from generation to generation, remains a central factors in determining the status or nature of any nation. With english language, the number of problems usually posed by lack of a common language in heterogeneous communities such as nigeria became suppressed and the language has remained. The english language is the language of education in nigeria ndimele 2006. However, english language, because of its neutrality, gained acceptance as a common language among the different ethnic groups that make up the country. A second language learner thinks in his language, tires to express himself in the second language which results to conflicts, and this conflict is as a result of mothertongue interference.
Apart from the first three years of a childs life in the primary school that was mentioned. Sources1 one of the most difficult issues in lexicography is documenting usages in a semiwritten language. The exact date that english language usage started in nigeria is not certain. Implications for pedagogy 283 the population of the country. It is being taught in schools from the prenursery down to the tertiary institutions. Consequently, this paper sought to highlight the roles the english language performs in the building. It is only a language which the peoples of nigeria can use to relate with one another that can be used to build the nation. As the official language, the english language has come to be seen as probably the most important language because it. For instance, english, hausa, igbo, yoruba are allowed for conduct of legislative functions in. The state of english language teaching and learning in nigeria and namibia. In 2006 the nigerians in rhode island established the first nigerian community of.
English language as a global language and the survival of the other. Many french speakers from surrounding countries have influenced the english spoken in the border regions of nigeria and some nigerian citizens have become fluent. Tackling the challenges of teaching english language as second language esl in nigeria doi. The causes of poor performance in english language among senior secondary school students in dutse metropolis of jigawa state, nigeria 1tata umar saad, 2rabiu usman 1nce, b. Oct 14, 2019 english is the official language of nigeria, a former british protectorate.
Pdf an appraisal of spoken english language in nigeria taiwo. Reflections on linguistic interference and the impact of language policy and politics on minority languages emmanuel aito university of regina introduction known for its extreme linguistic diversity elugbe 1994, nigeria is home to languages numbering about 400. The official language of nigeria, english, was chosen to facilitate the cultural and linguistic unity of the country postcolonization by. English is the official language in nigeria was made so to unite the country linguistically and culturally. History of english language in nigeria through civilization. However, a variety of english called the nigerian pidgin has developed to accommodate the heterogeneous nature of the populace. Jan 17, 2019 brief history of english language in nigeria. To get the jss junior secondary school english language scheme of work for all term in pdf format, call or whatsapp me on 080511885 on how to obtain your copy. Teaching and learning english language in nigerian schools. The state of the english language in nigeria education 2. Unit, emmanuel alayande college of edu, oyo abstract. English language is termed as nigeria second language, it is being used as a communication tool by everyone in the country. English language functions as a vehicle of interaction and an instrument of communication.
Ed sociology of education senior lecturer foundations department, college of education, azare bauchi state, nigeria. The status of english in nigeria and the world nicom iplan. Pdf the use of the english language in nigeria dates back to the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century when british merchants and christian. They are used in some cases for the conduct of business in the civil service, law, commerce and education and all other official domains. The english language has a significant preponderance in the degree of adequacy over autochthonous with respect to their ability to express categories related to modern science and culture. This number includes 510 living languages, 2 second languages without native speakers and 9 extinct languages. It is the language of education, business, social intercourse, mass media, social network, politics and administration. The causes of poor performance in english language among.
This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get. These factors reflect in the quality and quantity of. Evue 2 opined that, one of the reasons why english is so central to nigerias educational growth is because of its significant role as a medium of. Key words the territorial version, nigerian english, globalization, language policy, language perspectives. The spectrum of english in nigeria ranges from standard english through a more general english whose structures are. It originated in england and is the dominant language of the u. The varieties of the english language that are used in the federal republic of nigeria, the most populous country in africa.
The benefits of the english language for individuals and societies. English language is a worldwide language, and its the means of communication in over 30% of all countries in the world. The english language, which became widespread in nigeria in the colonial era, introduced in the education of the country, became the main language of fiction and national culture in general. Adopting english as an official language rwanda is a distinct example of shifting english language policy on the african continent. English became an official language after the 1994 genocide, but more extensive language policy changes occurred in 2008, when the government created plans to present english as an official. Each part has five 5 questions four 4 of which were in a yes, no, and not sure scale the fifth question in each part was openended, mainly to allow the respondents to express themselves. Mothertongue interference on english language pronunciation of senior primary school pupils in nigeria. Why are more african countries adopting english as an. Effects of english language on national development. The origin of english language in nigeria and its importance. Language situation at the colonia era when britain took over as the colonial power in nigeria, english became the tool with which the new territory would be administered. The need to measure the vocabulary size and also encourage vocabulary instruction is not only necessary but paramount for student achievement in school. Pdf the functions of english in nigeria from the earliest times to.
The three major languages in nigeria perform official functions side by side with the english language. This paper discussed the importance of english language as official language of communication in nigeria. This article examines the role of english in nigeria as a medium of communication, political activitiessocial and academic guidance from its historical perspective, and the duration of gradual transition to the present status of bilingualism and its democratization of language in conformity with national unification. Two main modern pronouncements on language policy in nigeria merit our attention, to wit the national policy on education 1977, revised in 1981, and the 1979 constitution, which is more cited than its 1989 reincarnation. An evaluation of the english language curriculum of the nigeria certificate in education. On this page you can read or download english language textbook nigeria pdf in pdf format. English language dominance and the fate of indigenous.
English language is a worldwide language, and its the means of communication in over 30%. Ed sociology of education senior lecturer foundations department, college of education, azare bauchi state, nigeria and. Functions of english language in nigeria information. This must have been at some period before the atlantic slave trade. Brief history of english language in nigeria library gurus. There are facilities and abundant opportunities to learn this language. Ironically, it is also nigeria s dominant language, with the use of english being taught at various levels of the nigerian educational system prenursery schools, nursery schools, primary schools, secondary schools and tertiary institutions of learning. The english language and sustainable development in nigeria. English is the official language of nigeria, a former british protectorate. History of english language in nigeria and top 10 uses problems. In nigeria, english is the language of official communication. As a second language, its acquisition makes its nigerian users either bilingual or multi lingual. The difference between nigeria and italy is that nigeria claims to be an english speaking country while italy is not.
Hence, english nigeria has come to brigde the gap between our mother tongue and the queens language through extensive teaching and practical tips on how to ace ielts, tofel, pte, sat and gre. It is chosen to be the official language partially because people of some parts speak english because of the colonies ruled. Ironically, it is also nigerias dominant language, with the use of english being taught at various levels of the nigerian educational system prenursery schools, nurser. Communication in the english language is much more popular in the countrys urban communities than it is in the rural areas, due to globalization. Pdf an appraisal of spoken english language in nigeria. Although its land mass is less than 7 per cent of the total area of the african continent, most scholars concur that about 20 per cent of africas more than 2,000 languages are spoken in nigeria. This paper will be divided into three sections a, b and c. The absence of a lingua franca, and the lack of mutual intelligibility of most of the indigenous languages, has given room for the english language to become nurtured, robust and hegemonic. They are characterized by hunger, diseases, poverty, and a high death rate.
Pdf the article deals with the features of the territorial version of the english language of nigeria. As a headlamp into the major and minor languages spoken by a vast population of nigerians, this article seeks to stratify the varieties of nigerian english on the. Effective teaching in an l2 setting seeks to promote learning. In addition, some fraction of the population is made up of other languages that are nevertheless able to speak at least one of the major languages as an additional.
The benefits of the english language for individuals and. Communication in the english language is much more popular in the countrys urban communities than it is in the rural areas. In a typical nigerian classroom, one finds students from diverse cultural backgrounds and mother tongues igbo, yoruba, hausa, efik, echie, to mention but a few who. It is chosen to be the official language partially because people of some parts speak english because of the colonies ruled by the british which came to an end in the year 1960. The official language of nigeria, english, was chosen to facilitate the cultural and linguistic unity of the country, owing to the influence of british colonisation that ended in 1960. It moreover concludes and recommends that, nigeria leaders should. The paper tries to highlight the challenges of teaching. Adequate mastery of english language is a prerequisite for migrating and studying in most institution in the western world. Hence, english nigeria has come to brigde the gap between our mother tongue and the queens language through extensive teaching and practical tips on how to. As reported in 2003, nigerian english and nigerian pidgin were spoken as a second language by 60 million people in nigeria. History and importance of english language in nigeria. The problems of many nigerian students in spoken in nigeria, it is noteworthy that, at school, many nigerian english could be traced to many different sources. How to download jss english language scheme of work pdf in nigeria.
Pdf an evaluation of the english language curriculum of the. When christian missionaries arrived from the uk a long time ago, they introduced western education to nigerians. The official language of nigeria is english, the former language of colonial british nigeria. The history of english language in nigeria has started many years ago. Prior to the middle of the 19th century, studies of the english language were informal. It is the most widely spoken language, although english is the official language of nigeria. One of the ways through which feedback can be obtained from the learners on what the teachers had taught them is evaluation. But it managed to affect the nigerian culture so much that people can still see its influence. The english language may only be used sporadically depending on a nigerians education level. Known for its extreme linguistic diversity elugbe 1994, nigeria is home to languages numbering about 400.
The psycholinguistics of english language in nigeria. It is a second language because nigerians already had their first language or mother tongue l1 before the incursion of this foreign language called english into the country. History of english language in nigeria english is the official language in nigeria was made so to unite the country linguistically and culturally. Nigerian english, also known as nigerian standard english, is a dialect of english spoken in nigeria. Nigeria is located on the lands of west africa and is the largest state in these parts. Dictionary of nigerian english circulation draft roger blench 1 introduction these notes are intended to raise some issues on sources, interpretation and the definition of nigerian english. There are over 200 languages spoken in the country and as a result, there has to be an adopted language as a medium of communication. The importance of english language cannot be overemphasized, due to its role in social, political economical, and environmental development. Jan 17, 2019 the english language is nigerias second language.
Pdf on jan 1, 20, oreoluwa solomon and others published history of english language in nigeria find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. English language scheme of work for jss 1st, 2nd, 3rd. The status of english language in nigeria library gurus. The english language is nigerias official language and serves as the second language to most of its nigerian users. Apart from the first three years of a childs life in the primary school that was mentioned in the national policy on education, the rest of the. In nigeria where the english language is essentially a second language, effective teaching seeks to incorporate all tools and practices that assist the english language learner in an l2 multicultural classroom. In addition to english, hausa, yoruba, igbo, fula, and english creole are widely spoken. English language is the interconnecting language amongst nigerians from different geopolitical zones and different ethnicities. English language, a west germanic language of the indoeuropean language family that is closely related to frisian, german, and dutch languages. Click download or read online button to get the psycholinguistics of english language in nigeria book now. English especially the variety known as nigerian pidgin english functions as a lingua franca in this multilingual country. Basically, children learned about culture, traditions, and history from older relatives who passed on their knowledge. Despite the fact that the importance of language is recognized in national policy on education npe, the language of instruction in multilingual nigeria has always been a matter of concern to educators and educational planners. The taxonomy of nigerian varieties of spoken english academic.
English in the nigerian school systempast, present and future. The paper suggests that, the language policy can be used to foster a desirable and the real nigerianism philosophy of our forefathers. Tackling the challenges of teaching english language as. The origin of english language in nigeria is connected with the colonial period. English has been one of the major languages in the world. Ironically, it is also nigerias dominant language, with the use of english being taught at various levels of the nigerian educational system prenursery schools, nursery schools, primary schools, secondary schools and tertiary institutions of learning.
English is the official language of nigeria and some of the functions of english language in nigeria are discussed below. Some people learn them for work, others simply because they receive immense pleasure from the learning process, thus turning this activity into their hobby. In nigeria where english is a second language it is imperative for the teaching and learning implications to be properly addressed in such a diverse l2 classrooms. Pdf the state of english language teaching and learning in. A second language is one that comes after ones primary language. Abolaji samuel mustapha department of english, lagos state university, ojo, lagos, nigeria gsm 00234 email. Pdf the state of english language teaching and learning. Roles of english language in nigeria english language is the interconnecting language amongst nigerians from different geopolitical zones and different ethnicities. The language came with colonialism in the midnineteenth century.