Language Culture and Curriculum
Editor and Book Reviews Editor: Eoghan Mac Aogain (St Patrick's College)
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Volume: 12 Number: 2 Page: 143–155
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Effective and Efficient ESL and Nigerian Mother-Tongue Literacy Acquisition: Can Literature be a Catalyst?
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Chukwuemeka Eze Onukaogu
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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.
© Multilingual Matters 1999
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