Digital Literacy and The English Language Teacher in the 21st Century

Abstract

Various experiences teach us daily that change is inevitable.  The covid-19 pandemic that put the whole world into a closet for months and the need to look for new ways of surviving; one time ENDSARS protest in Nigeria, the on-going Ukraine war, and many other situations are lessons that taught us we cannot remain the same.  These situations have revealed our need for digital literacy as educators, more than ever before.  This is because every sector of the world economy is being much affected but largely, the education sector, and, especially in Nigeria due to the negative attitude of our leaders to education. This paper looked into digital literacy and the English language teacher in the 21^st century. The paper reviewed relevant literature on importance of teaching and learning English language; the teacher as a factor in the teaching and learning of English language in the 21^st century; need for digital literacy for English language teachers; challenges of M-Learning and strategies for encouraging teachers towards digital literacy.  It was concluded that digital skills are important for English language teachers in the 21^st century based on current practices in the application of ICT in language education as it will enhance both teachers and students’ activities and consequently, students’ performance.  It was recommended that teachers should be up to date in acquiring digital literacy in order to be able to orientate students on the proper use of digital skills in language learning and that government should equip the public schools with ICT facilities as well as ICT tools and equipment for both teachers and students in order to create virtual learning and teaching environments that will be conducive.  This is the responsibility of a responsible government.

Keywords: Teaching and Learning, Digital Literacy, 21^st Century, English Language Teacher.

DOI: 10.7176/JLLL/95-05

Publication date: January 31^st 2023