Open Access
American Research Journal of English and Literature
ISSN (Online): 2378-9026
DOI: 10.46568/arjel
The Instrumentality of Indigenous Languages in English Studies in Nigeria
1*Department of European Languages, Federal University, Birnin-Kebbi
2Department of English, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin
Acheoah, John Emike, Hamzah Abdurraheem, ”The Instrumentality of Indigenous Languages in
English Studies in Nigeria” American Research Journal of English and Literature, vol 3, no. 1, 2017, pp. 1-9.
Abstract
This paper examines the mechanisms for exploring Nigeria languages in the teaching and learning
of English. The writers do not only recommend the use of Nigerian languages as the medium of instruction
in schools, but also dislodge the idea that knowledge of indigenous languages cannot be used to promote
the teaching and learning of English in educational institutions. Hinging on Fishman’s criteria for language
prominence, the paper concludes that so long as there is the concept of positive transfer in language acquisition,
areas of convergence and divergence between English and any Nigerian language can be explored in the
preparation of classroom materials for effective teaching and learning of English in Nigeria
