The Use of English Programme in Nigeria Tertiary Institutions: A Consideration of the Course Content
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Revisiting the Nigerian Undergraduate English Curriculum for Global Relevance and Sustainability: The Future We Want
- First Online: 04 May 2022
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- Lily Chimuanya 4 ,
- Esther Ajiboye 4 &
- Oluwasegun Omidiora 4
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Based on the principle of “leaving no one behind”, the United Nations’ General Assembly adopted the 2030 agenda for 17 sustainable development goals. An aim of the Strategic Development Goals (SDGs) is to establish a future literate globe where relevance and sustainability become the driving force for all endeavours. Quality education which is within the top five priority of the UN has received quite a handful of scholarly attention ranging from infrastructural overhaul to funding. Adopting a descriptive and discursive designs, the present study focuses on curriculum development to highlight what is obtainable in the present undergraduate English curriculum as prescribed by the National University Commission (NUC) in order to assess its future relevance as matched with twenty-first-century job opportunities for graduates. The study argues that while some courses have obsolete descriptions and contents, some may need to be completely replaced with relevant courses to enable graduates compete favourably.
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Chimuanya, L., Ajiboye, E., Omidiora, O. (2022). Revisiting the Nigerian Undergraduate English Curriculum for Global Relevance and Sustainability: The Future We Want. In: Folarin, S., Akinlabi, E., Atayero, A. (eds) The United Nations and Sustainable Development Goals. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-95971-5_5
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The Language of African Literature: An Analysis on the Use of English Language in Nigerian Literary Works
The Language of African Literature
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Tolulope Akinwole
This paper examines the stylistic features of the "brand" of English used in African literature as portrayed in literary works by Nigerians.
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The following essay considers the shifting attitudes towards the use of the English Language in Nigerian prose fiction, placing particular emphasis upon the Nigerian novel. Because of its long history of British and European contact, and because of its large concentration of canonical and well-read Anglophone authors, Nigeria has been selected for specific consideration. During the discussion below, however, examples have been drawn from other West-African and sub-Saharan African countries, when pertinent. In the following, the varying historical positions that have been assumed within Nigeria (and, more broadly, by those of Nigerian descent) regarding English use in indigenous fiction will be diachronically, or historically, considered, one the one hand. On the other, the varying and varied theoretical stances that have been adopted on this issue will be synchronically considered in order to conduct a comprehensive examination of this vexed subject, which is both historically rooted in imperialism and colonialism, and very much alive in contemporary theoretical debate. In so doing, this article will return to, and perhaps challenge, the notion that English is a somehow “foreign” language in Nigeria, as intellectuals such as Chinua Achebe and J.O Ekpenyong, discussed below, have also suggested.
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Abstract The aim of this study is to investigate how the African novelists have domesticated the English language to suit their environments, experience and purpose. Specifically, the literary pieces – The Last of the Strong Ones (Strong Ones), House of Symbols (symbols), Children of the Eagle (Children) and the Trafficked of Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo were xrayed. This exploration adopted the Hallidian Systemic Functional Linguistics, which highlights how language is used. The textual method of data analysis, the primary and secondary data collection methods were employed and the results showed that the African literary artists in general and the Igbo Nigerian novelists in particular have taken on a unique style of writing in the African vernacular style. For that reason, the speeches of the characters are laced with dignified local appositives, high profile Igbo songs and tales, studded local proverbs, lexical transfers, ritzy transliterations and so on; and these have given African rhythm to the English language. This notwithstanding, the aura, glamour and credibility of the English language as the medium of communication are retained. Keywords: Literature, African literature, Domestication, Igbonization.
IJOHMN Publisher , onyekachi awa
The aim of this study is to investigate how the African novelists have domesticated the English language to suit their environments, experience and purpose. Specifically, the literary pieces-The Last of the Strong Ones (Strong Ones), House of Symbols (symbols), Children of the Eagle (Children) and the Trafficked of Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo were xrayed. This exploration adopted the Hallidian Systemic Functional Linguistics, which highlights how language is used. The textual method of data analysis, the primary and secondary data collection methods were employed and the results showed that the African literary artists in general and the Igbo Nigerian novelists in particular have taken on a unique style of writing in the African vernacular style. For that reason, the speeches of the characters are laced with dignified local appositives, high profile Igbo songs and tales, studded local proverbs, lexical transfers, ritzy transliterations and so on; and these have given African rhythm to the English language. This notwithstanding, the aura, glamour and credibility of the English language as the medium of communication are retained.
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In the 1960s, much diatribe was exchanged by African literary artists within their caucus, and outside with different scholars interested in African literature. Wali demonstrates this disagreement. He comments, " … until these writers and their western midwives accept the fact that true African literature must be written in African languages, they would be merely pursuing a dead end, which can only lead to sterility, uncertainty, and frustration. " In reply to Wali, Achebe expresses, " …you cannot cram African literature in a small, neat definition. I do not see African literature as one unit but as associated units – in fact, the sum total of all the national and ethnic literatures of Africa ". The disagreement is no longer conspicuous. However, the question that demands an answer is, " Have African languages become productive in African literature? " This paper argues that they have not, maybe, yet. It assesses this situation, providing factors responsible. One of such factors is the non-development and underdevelopment of the African languages. Besides, the paper makes recommendations that can salvage the situation; one of which is instituting awards for literary works in African languages.
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No critical issue has influenced so much the theory and practice of African literary studies than the issue of foreign language. Language choice is a moot and miscellaneous arena. Initially confined to the analysis of literature, culture and identity, the choice of English, French or Spanish languages has been proliferated extensively and speedily in the last two decades. The present paper sheds light on the unstable and wobbly position of the colonial language in African literature. This scrutiny explores the origins of the African debate on language choice and identifies its legitimacy. The nub of the study is the demonstration of the ongoing debate while it is hoped to argue that issue betrays a sense of aporia. The study heavily relies on the arguments of Kenya’s gifted author Ngugi wa Thiong’o and Nigeria’s prolific author Chinua Achebe. It also captures some evidences and reasonable arguments from the literary works of contemporary Francophone writers from Algeria to strengthen the different views. Keywords: Postcolonialism; African literature; Language; Culture; Identity; Aporia;
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The answer to the question of what language is to literature seems important to discuss for it to have sustained and occupied a distinctive ferment in almost every literary cycle beginning from the Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, traditional grammarians, rhetoricians, formalists, structuralists, post-structuralists and modernists and post modernists thinkers. All these viewpoints see every literary work as an encounter with language but differ in the way and manner of handling of their verbal episteme. Because literature is contemporary, and with the function of language at a given time, eclecticism; call for being: language function in literature, and literature as the sole distinctive actuality of language in 21 st century Nigerian literary scholarship will lead to a scholarly effort to be able to justify that literature is the direct hyponym of language (therefore, language is the hypernym of literature), and a challenge to the 21 st century Nigerian literary scholars to see the object as it is in itself and of nothing else.
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This paper comments on the nature and components of the use of English programme in Nigerian tertiary institutions and suggests a course content that will enhance the effectiveness of the programme. The paper opines that the use of English is based on an awareness of the English language deficiency of Nigerian students and the need for them to have communicative competence in the language to ...
English use in some Nigerian federal institutions is 85%, 50% in state universities and 70% in private Nigerian tertiary institutions. The predominant use of the vernacular cum pidgin/slang
The „ Use of English ‟ courses are the compulsory English langua ge courses done at the foundation level or first year of stud y in the Nigerian tertiary institutions. The question,
The Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC), the umbrella body responsible for university curriculum development and quality assurance in Nigeria, was mandated in Decree 16 of 1985 (amended in Decree 48 of 1988) to set the minimum academic standards (MAS) for programmes run in Nigerian universities. The first MAS was approved in 1989.
use of English (GS 101 & 102) and even to other GS courses has been a major setback. The study revealed that Nigerian Universities offer English as a General Studies‟ course for all newly admitted students (year one course). The course runs concurrently for two semesters: Use of English 1 & 2 for both first and second semesters.
Nexuses of English Language and Nigerian State/Society Although Nigeria is a multi-lingual state and society, English has imperatively become the unique language accepted by most of its people. Adewumi (1986) has asserted that whether it is agreed with or not, the English language has attained the position of Lingua Franca as it has become part ...
Conclusion: In this study, literacy in English is "the ability to use the English language with significant proficiency in spoken and written communications, such that graduates of Nigerian universities can perform satisfactorily at work-places, irrespective of their disciplines." In Nigeria, literacy level
Academic Standards (English Language Curriculum) in two Nigerian Universities - the University of the North and the University of the South (the names have been anonymised). In line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) 4 and 5, gender equality was considered as integral to the objectives guiding the study. In providing
Abstract English is still taught in Nigerian universities more or less as it is taught in the English‐speaking world. The paper examines features of the pragma‐sociolinguistic context of English in Nigeria to suggest alternative models more adapted to the Nigerian context. Four features of the use of English in Nigeria are discussed: (1) the ambivalence in Nigerian attitudes to English ...
The paper examines features of the pragma‐sociolinguistic context of English in Nigeria to suggest alternative models more adapted to the Nigerian context. Four features of the use of English in Nigeria are discussed: (1) the ambivalence in Nigerian attitudes to English, which is seen both as a prestigious international language and as a ...
On secondary education, English language is a core subject. At the tertiary level. English is still relevant. Hence, students are introduced to use of English course coded GST 101. It is obvious from the foregoing that, there are several important roles of English language in the Nigerian society (Adejare, 1991).
Abstract. This article explores the role of Information and communication Technology (ICT) in English language pedagogy in Nigeria as a multilingual nation where the rhythm of life is dependent on ...
Martin C. Ogayi, PhD. Department of English and Literary Studies, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki 07062832299 [email protected] Postal address: C/O St. Michael's Schools, P.O. Box 61, Abakaliki, Ebonyi StateNigeria. ABSTRACT: English is the language of instruction, study, and testing in all institutions of higher learning in Nigeria.
The following essay considers the shifting attitudes towards the use of the English Language in Nigerian prose fiction, placing particular emphasis upon the Nigerian novel. Because of its long history of British and European contact, and because of its large concentration of canonical and well-read Anglophone authors, Nigeria has been selected ...
2. The relevance of the Use of English in Nigerian Universities 3. Covid-19 vaccine and its safety 4. Insecurity in Nigeria: the way forward 5. Democracy in Nigeria: reality or myth? You now have the support you have been craving at your fingertips! Message [email protected] for the complete materials (PDF/DOCX).
Unit 3: The Lexico-Semantic Features of Nigerian English 112-121 Unit 4: The Discourse Features in Nigerian English 122 -130 MODULE 4: VARIETIES OF ENGLISH IN NIGERIA 131 Unit 1: Standard Nigerian English 131-139 Unit 2: Non-Standard Nigerian English 140-149 Unit 3: Nigerian Pidgin English and its Functions 150-159
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English and the use of English is compulsory in JAMB for all candidates seeking admissions into the universities [1]. Evue [2] opined that, one of the reasons why English is so central to Nigeria's educational growth is because of its significant role as a medium of knowledge delivery in Nigerian schools. English
2. The relevance of the Use of English in Nigerian Universities 3. Covid-19 vaccine and its safety 4. Insecurity in Nigeria: the way forward 5. Democracy in Nigeria: reality or myth? You now have the support you have been craving at your fingertips! Message [email protected] for the complete materials (PDF/DOCX).
This paper examined the use, relevance, politics, connections and ins and outs of using English language in Nigeria with respect to its heterogeneous. composition. The paper found that English ...
The research was carried out in the six universities south west region of Nigeria. From the study on the factors influencing the use of EIS in Nigerian Universities, it was found that more male 1117 (53.82%) than female 1010(46.18%) used EIS. It was equally detected that Master's program students 1070 (49.93%) were in majority in the use of ...
2. The relevance of the Use of English in Nigerian Universities 3. Covid-19 vaccine and its safety 4. Insecurity in Nigeria: the way forward 5. Democracy in Nigeria: reality or myth? You now have the support you have been craving at your fingertips! Message [email protected] for the complete materials (PDF/DOCX).