The Impact of Globalisation on the Oral and Written Communication of Students in the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (Funaab)

Abstract

Globalisation has become a compelling force dragging nations into the mainstream global system. It has led to an integration of cultures, economies, markets, political systems and technologies among nations today. Any nation operating outside the global system willy-nilly does so at its own peril. Among the impacts of globalisation on African nations, nay Nigeria, are the impetus towards Westernisation and Anglicisation. English has become the lingua franca or official language spoken for business, governance and education. However, it is yet to be seen how globalisation can facilitate the effective oral and written communication of students in tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

Literature abounds that raises doubts and complaints about the inability of Nigerian students and graduates to effectively engage in oral and written communication. This puts a threatening pall on the educational system and as a consequence makes it difficult for many Nigerian students facing this weakness to compete favourably as global citizens. It is therefore germane to look at the gains of globalisation and harness them in favour of enhancing the oral and written communication of students in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. In this study, questionnaire forms were administered to all the academic staff of the Department of Communication and General Studies and to 80 randomly selected final year students belonging to 4 colleges at the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) out of which 53 were retrieved to examine whether or not globalisation has helped to improve their oral and written communication, identify the challenges they face in their quest to engage in effective oral and written communication and suggest solutions that can address these challenges and enhance their communication proficiency.

Keywords: Globalisation; oral communication; written communication; English language; tertiary institution