Effective and Efficient ESL and Nigerian Mother-Tongue Literacy Acquisition: Can Literature be a Catalyst?
Title:
Effective and Efficient ESL and Nigerian Mother-Tongue Literacy Acquisition: Can Literature be a Catalyst?
Author:
Onukaogu, Chukwuemeka Eze
Appeared in:
Language culture and curriculum
Paging:
Volume 12 (1999) nr. 2 pages 143-155
Year:
1999-07-01
Contents:
In this paper, we examine the role of literature in the acquisition of literacy in English as a Second Language (ESL) and Nigerian Mother Tongues (NMT). We are of the view that unless the generality of Nigerians acquire literacy empowerment, they will not be sufficiently equipped to cope with the rigours of the 21st century, one that is bound to be technologically complex and characterised by cultural diversities as the world shrinks to become more and more a global village. We are saddened by the fact that literature, a pivotal element in ESL and NMT literacy acquisition, is not given the attention it deserves in literacy instruction in Nigerian schools and colleges. We shall therefore try to stimulate discussion on the role of literature in the effective and efficient acquisition of literacy. We give a critique of current approaches to literacy instruction and contend that any literacy instruction that is devoid of the intensive and extensive use of diverse kinds of literature, and which does not emphasise meaning making, construction, reconstruction, negotiation, authenticity and problem solving will not produce competent users of language.
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