Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to highlight the centrality of the application of language rules and communication principles in ensuring effective classroom teaching and learning in Nigeria. Learners act or behave according to the information received. And teachers cannot give correct information and in a proper way if language rules and communication principles are down played. Using the Standard Nigerian English (S.N.E) as a framework, the writers posit that a good teacher, whether in the sciences, arts or humanities must have a high level of proficiency in the use of the medium of instruction- English language, as is the case with us in Nigeria. The thrust of this paper therefore is to impress on all teachers, whose medium of instruction is English language, this all important truth, so they can bear it in mind and prepare themselves accordingly to be their best as they carry on with their noble duties.
Highlights
Teaching takes place between a teacher and the learners
The purpose of this paper is to highlight the centrality of the application of language rules and communication principles in ensuring effective classroom teaching and learning in Nigeria
Using the Standard Nigerian English (S.N.E) as a framework, the writers posit that a good teacher, whether in the sciences, arts or humanities must have a high level of proficiency in the use of the medium of instruction- English language, as is the case with us in Nigeria
Summary
Teaching takes place between a teacher and the learners. And the means of teaching is language; in this case, English (Standard Nigerian English). Hall (1968:158) sees language as “the institution whereby humans communicate and interact with each other by means of habitually used oral-auditory arbitrary symbols”. The teaching/learning process requires that the teacher and the learners interact, and the means of this interrelationship is language. This agrees with Sapir’s view of language as “a purely human and non- instinctive method of communicating ideas, emotions and desires by means of voluntarily produced symbols” (Sapir, 1921:8) as the teacher’s primary responsibility in class is to communicate ideas to his students. To Block and Trager (1942:5), language is “a system of arbitrary vocal symbols by means of which a social group co- operates”.
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