LITERATURE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF LANGUAGE SKILLS AMONG USERS OF ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN IHIALA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE

LITERATURE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF LANGUAGE SKILLS AMONG USERS OF ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN IHIALA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE

ABSTRACT

The study of a second language aims at a good command of the language for the purpose of communication and does not therefore rule out a reading of the literature in the language. To achieve communicative competence in English language, Nigerian educational planners have joined the two subjects to be one in the Nigerian junior secondary schools. But the problem is lack of effective implementation in the Nigerian schools. The aim of this study is to investigate the attitude of teachers towards the use of this method in Ihiala Local Government Area, demonstrate how a literary text could be used in the language classroom and then recommend ways for effective implementation. Using a qualitative interview method and document analysis, the researcher elicited the teachers’ perceptions about the method and demonstrated using a novel to show how a literary text could be used in the language classroom. The results of the data collected in phase 1 showed that the literary text is a good and useful tool for learning a second language because it leads the learner into developing the language skills, exposes the learner to real language and active participation in the class.  Preference is given to reading and listening to other language skills. Phase 2 data analysis has shown that so many activities could be used to expose students to language skills and communicative competence by using literature.