An Examination of Thorny Issues in the Teaching and Learning of English Language in Nigerian Polytechnics

Abstract

English language is one of Nigeria’s potent means of gaining access into the world of scholarship such as science, technology, arts, literature, mass media, commerce, to mention but a few. In Nigeria, it is the medium of acquiring formal education which enhances the social and economic status of individuals and consequently, the nation. It has served and is still serving as the only language that cuts across all ethnic boundaries in Nigeria. In spite of all these the aim and objectives of including the GNS English in the polytechnic education have not been achieved judging from the present poor performance in the students’ spoken and written English. It behoves on the Polytechnic teachers’ of English language to do everything possible for their students to attain a high level of proficiency in both oral and written communication skills, so that they are not excluded from the cream of the world’s scholarship. A lot of thorny issues have stood the way of qualitative teaching and learning. This paper therefore, examines some factors that affect the teaching and learning of English as a second language in the polytechnic system in Nigeria and recommends viable strategies to stem the tide.