Teaching English Language and Students’ Literacy in English Language: A Study of Students in Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa

Scholars have argued that the provisions for language education in the National Policy on Education (NPE) are inadequate because it captures multilingual education which has been sparsely implemented in Nigeria, a country with over 500 indigenous languages (Ibrahim & Gwandu 2016). And that the future and state of English as a second language in Nigeria – in addition to the numerous roles it plays which compels every Nigerian citizen to learn and to speak it – is bright (Njoku 2017). However numerous the benefits of English language to the Nigerian citizens are, especially in the ‘officialdom’ (Omoniyi, 2012), in real life situations, one can observe that literacy in English has classifications. Adults develop literacy competencies according to their needs in social life, occupations and businesses. Some of these literacy classifications as stated by Rintaningrum (2009) include: people who are able to read, but are not able to write; people who can read symbols but they cannot interpret them; people who can cope with more difficult tasks involving words; and people who can read and follow the complex maps, but are unsuccessful on the simplest form-filling task. Competencies in the use of English Language as a second Language by speakers differ in the contexts in which speakers find themselves (Rintaningrum 2009). This research investigated the effectiveness of English language teaching methods in improving student’s literacy in English language. The research examined various teaching approaches, materials and techniques used by instructors and their impact on students’ literacy levels. Additionally, the study explored factors that influence students’ English language literacy, including socioeconomic background, prior exposure, and motivation. The findings of this research will help educators and policymakers in adapting instructional strategies, reviewing admission policies and possibly develop technological and internet related mini-literacy programmes to enhance students’ proficiency in English literacy in higher institutions in Nigeria.