Stakeholders in the education sector have stressed the need to change the current method of teaching and learning in Nigeria to a student-centred learning technique.
They expressed the view at a one-day capacity building workshop for Foreign Language Teachers in Southern Nigeria with the theme “Effective teaching of foreign language in Nigeria: a panacea for national development”.
The workshop organized by Stelated Bilateral Educational Consultancy, in collaboration with Alliance Francais Enugu, took place at the Faculty of Arts, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and had in attendance foreign language teachers from within and outside the state, students and lovers of foreign language education.
The Keynote speaker and Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Professor Ngozi Chuma-Udeh said the importance of such training cannot be underrated as it serves as an excellent avenue to boost the morale of teachers, encouraging them to excel and enlightening them on recent advancements in teaching methodologies.
She expressed gratitude to Stelated Bilateral Educational Consultancy for organizing the capacity training for their foreign language teachers, and noted the broad range of opportunities in teaching and learning foreign languages.
Professor Chuma-Udeh reassured the group of her ministry’s commitment to fostering positive partnerships and meaningful educational engagements, as well as supporting initiatives that enhance teaching and learning of foreign languages.
In her speech, the Director, Senior Secondary Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, represented by Mrs Theresa Okeke, mentioned some of what the language teacher can do for him or herself to ensure effective lesson delivery of foreign language to include having a good mastery of the subject, being willing to accept new ideas and information about his or her subject area by reading, researching, using current textbooks and exploring the internet to upgrade his or her knowledge, among others.
The Operational Head of Stellated Bilateral Educational Consultancy, Mr. Stephen Igweze, disclosed that in the quest to promote foreign languages, federal government is making plans to introduce language laboratories in unity schools across Nigeria, and that his group has foreign language choral competition, said it has incorporated listening and speaking examinations in all their partner schools and will introduce language week in schools.
He revealed that the Chinese labour market is still virgin and has super high employment opportunities, and encouraged the teachers to make use of the foreign languages they teach outside the classroom; even as they begin to train students that have global marketability.
The Director of Alliance Francais, Enugu, Dr. Paschal Uchenna, explained that the use of French language promotes cultural exchange and diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Francophone countries, and as official language of many European, United Nations and African Union countries, can open doors of opportunities in these countries.
A second presenter, Professor Greg Obiamalu; of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, noted that in implementing curriculum reform, it is essential to prioritize teacher training, integrate practical language skills, promote cultural and contextual relevance and adopt diverse assessment practices that align with student-centred learning techniques.
The technical presentations by Professor Sunny Odinye; of the Department of Chinese Studies, Mr Chukwudi Awa; of Unizik, Awka, question and answer session, drama presentation, dance and songs added colour to the event.