This course, EDE 441 – English Language Teaching, provides a comprehensive and practical foundation in the theories, methods, and issues central to teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) within the Nigerian context.
It begins by establishing the Foundations of ELT, exploring the historical role of English in Nigeria, as a language of governance, commerce, and national unity, defining the core goals of developing students' communicative competence across all four skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing).
The course then offers a critical survey of major Methods and Approaches in English Language Teaching, from the Grammar-Translation Method to the Direct, Audio-Lingual, and modern Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) approaches. Emphasis is placed on adopting an eclectic and contextually relevant approach suitable for diverse Nigerian classrooms.
A significant focus is dedicated to the practical skills of Teaching the Language Skills, providing activities and Nigerian-specific examples for effective instruction in:
- Listening (e.g., comparing BBC Pidgin and Standard English).
- Speaking (e.g., role-playing local market scenes).
- Reading (e.g., using Nigerian newspaper articles).
- Writing (e.g., composing official letters and creative narratives).
Furthermore, the module examines the growing role of Technology in ELT, covering Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) and Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL), and demonstrating how low-cost tools like WhatsApp and digital media can be creatively adapted. Finally, the course addresses effective Assessment strategies, advocating for a balanced system that integrates traditional exams with communicative tasks like portfolios and oral presentations, while also reviewing the persistent Challenges and Future Directions of ELT in Nigeria, including managing overcrowded classrooms and integrating indigenous resources.
- Lecturer : Torty Ogbonne