Problems Facing Learners Of English In Nigeria

Problems Facing Learners Of English In Nigeria. Want To Find Out The Problems Facing Learners Of English In Nigeria? Check This Post Now.

English language became the official language of Nigerians after independence but my attention has been called to the fact that a lot of people cannot even speak or write proper English language. I have had cases of people being able to write proper language but find it very difficult speaking it.

If you want yo know the problems facing learners of English language in Nigeria, then you have come to the right platform for such information as i am going to give you in details the problems facing learners of English language in this very article.

What is English language?

English is a West Germanic language that was first spoken in the early England and then became a global lingua franca.

What are the problems facing learners of English language in Nigeria?

There are currently so many problems facing learners of English language in Nigeria but we cannot possibly discuss all of it in this single article. However, i have put together some of the most obvious and disturbing problems facing learners of English language in Nigeria. Here is a list of these problems:

Mix up of languages from childhood
Stress pattern of English language
Lack of competent English language teachers
Broad curriculum of English language
Other subject teachers issues
The home environment of the child
Lack of passion for reading

Problems Facing Learners Of English In Nigeria

1. MIX UP OF LANGUAGES FROM CHILDHOOD

One of the biggest problems facing learners of English language in Nigeria is the problem of mix up of languages from childhood. I have noticed that so many children seem very confused when introduced to English language in school and their parents do not speak the same language to them at home or it is different from what they have been brought up with.

This confusion goes a long way in affecting the tense of the child and also the fluency of speaking English. The parents should at least help the child in this manner by not confusing the child. If the child has learnt a few things in English in school and the child goes home to start speaking native languages, it will totally affect the child. While it is important to teach children their native languages, it is very important that we let them grow to a certain extent to avoid such confusion. Parents too have a huge role to play by communicating with their kids in English and not leaving it all for just the teacher.

2. STRESS PATTERN OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Another problem currently facing the learners of English language in Nigeria is the problem of the stress pattern of English language. It should be noted that the stress pattern of English language os quite different from other languages stress pattern. If the child has been brought up with other languages apart from English, it would of course be quite difficult for the child in stressing English words.

3. LACK OF COMPETENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS

Another problem currently facing the learners of English language in Nigeria is the problem of the lack of competent English language teachers across the state. It has been noted that there are so many teachers that are not properly trained in English language and they do not have the proper knowledge to be ble to teach English language.

English language has a very broad scope and many of the English teachers that i have come in contact with do not even have knowledge of some of the components of English language. For example, some English teachers do not even know speech work. It is not supposed to be so.

4. BROAD CURRICULUM OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Another problem currently facing the learners of English language in Nigeria is the problem of the broad curriculum of English language. I said earlier that English language has a very broad curriculum. There are several aspects of English language that is expected of the learner to learn. This most at times confuses the learner as it might be too broad for them to pick up. The broad areas of English language include: Comprehension, essay writing, speech work, Grammar, Lexis and structure etc.

I have had issues of students complaining that a particular aspect is too difficult to be properly understood.

5. OTHER SUBJECT TEACHERS ISSUES

Another problem currently facing the learners of English language in Nigeria is the problem of other teachers. This simply means that there has been a problem of other teachers mixing up English language for the learners. I have had cases of other subject teachers not being able to speak proper English expose the child to bad grammar after being taught by the English language teacher.

6. THE HOME ENVIRONMENT OF THE CHILD

Another problem currently facing the learners of English language in Nigeria is the problem of the home environment of the child. The home environment of the child goes a long way in playing an important part of what a child’s English grammar would be. If a child lives in an environment where they speak vernacular, it would be difficult for the child to pick up English language as well as one would comes from an environment where proper English is spoken. This is where the parents have a huge role to play on the part of the child and not leave teaching and learning for the school, teacher and student alone.

7. LACK OF PASSION FOR READING

Another problem currently facing the learners of English language in Nigeria is the problem of the lack of passion for reading. Many learners generally lack the passion for reading and getting to know facts properly. Many learners of English language also do not have passion for reading books other than what they have been given in class. Here also, the importance of literature cannot be overemphasized.

Learners of English language should be encouraged to read more books on literature to improve speaking of English.

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