Impact of Poverty on Teaching and Learning on English as a Second Language in Nigeria

Abstract

Poverty which is described as the situation of being very poor is not peculiar to Nigeria alone. The BBC English dictionary maintains that a third of the population of the world lives in abject poverty. In Nigeria, so many things have gone wrong in virtually all the sectors because of poverty. The education sector is not an exception. Teaching and learning and the entire curriculum have been negatively affected. This paper therefore aims at a critical observation of the damage done to the teaching and learning of English language in Nigeria. English language is not only a subject in Nigerian schools’ times table but also the language with which the country is governed at all levels. The language is used nationally and internationally. As a result, its proper teaching and learning should be great concern to all. This paper also looked at poverty, its impact on teaching and learning English language which includes among others inadequate teaching materials and qualified teachers, absence of well equipped libraries, large class size, and lack of motivation of staff and students. Some of the recommendations offered include proper funding of education by the government through re-training and conference attendance and provision of environment conducive for teaching and learning.