Ernest S. Akerejola

Department of Linguistics (Centre for Language in Social Life), Macquarie University

Towards a More Effective Language Education Practice in Nigeria

The paper is an exploration into the uncertain successes attending Nigerian formal Language Education practice. It discusses the kind of challenges the language policy in the country raises for learners in Nigeria’s pervasively multilingual/multicultural context. It uses the educational context of an Òkó (a small group language spoken in the Middle Belt of Nigeria) speaker as a case study and as representative of such groups in general. The paper observes that the current situation in the country needs reformation in order to bring about a more effective language and literacy practice. It then concludes with some recommendations, stressing the need for a realistic policy that will lead to the emergence of a national language for (various use - including pedagogical) on the one hand, and on the other, encourage the description of all Nigerian languages in order to increase the level of literacy among the population. Such a policy is clearly urgent in the nation considering that many languages like Òkó are becoming increasingly endangered. For example, Òkó has no written form and as a result of sociopolitical pressures, has little chances of surviving the next 50-100years. My currently research at Macquarie University, Sydney Australia, is a Systemic Functional description of Òkó, aimed at making it available for literacy purposes and to preserve the language and the culture for posterity.