Cultural Dichotomy and Language Learning among the Yoruba Race of Nigerian Society

Abstract

This study investigated cultural diversity and second language learning among primary school pupils in Ogun state of Nigeria. The study is a descriptive survey in which 300 primary four school children were randomly selected from among pupils attending public primary schools in Ogun state. The Language Achievement Test developed and validated by the researchers was the instrument used in the study. It was a fifty items test designed to measure language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Its convergent validity ranged from .68 to .91 on Cronbach alpha. Findings revealed significant influence of cultural diversity on listening, speaking, reading and writing skills of the participants. It was therefore recommended that a unified Yoruba accent and grammar should be evolved and adopted in all primary schools in all the Yoruba speaking states of Nigeria.

Keywords: cultural diversity, language learning, Yoruba language