ESL Learners and the English Language Diphthongs: A Case of Major and Minor Languages in Nigeria

Abstract

The English language has come to stay in Nigeria; it is the language of education, commerce and unity, importantly, a global language. Learners of English as Second language (ESL) in Nigeria today go beyond the shores of the country in search for job opportunities and better livelihood. Inability to speak the English language intelligibly definitely will lead to frustration in the new environment and can hinder achievement of future goals in career step. The paper is an attempt at exploring dynamic ways of teaching the English language diphthong with the goal of awakening interest of students in the learning of speaking skill. The focus is on English language diphthongs with particular emphasis on the closing diphthongs. The paper has attempted to discuss the importance of speaking skill in the drive toward proficiency in the English language. The differences in the indigenous languages in Nigeria and the English language are explained. Influence of native speaker’s language on the learning of English language is not left out of the discourse while the role of access to native speaker pronunciation is emphasised. Hopefully the identification of the discrepancies in the major and minor languages in Nigeria vis a vis the English language will stir up in the teachers in Nigerian schools to efficiently and effectively prepare students for life beyond the shores of Nigeria It is hoped that if English language teachers in Nigeria device new ways of teaching the oracy skill, learners will move towards competence in English language.

Keywords: English language diphthongs, indigenous languages, dialects, Mother Tongue (MT), Second language (SL), Second language learner, target language, Interference, Skills of English language, poor performance.

DOI: 10.7176/JLLL/72-07

Publication date:October 31^st 2020