French Language Politics and Education in Nigeria

This book highlights the current trends and challenges of French learning in Nigeria's formal education system. Edited by Michael Akinpelu and Tunde Ajiboye, French Language Politics and Education in Nigeria: Building Human Capital and a Multilingual Nation discusses the teaching/learning of French in Nigeria and its roles in building human capital and fostering meaningful relationships with Francophone nations in the sub-region. Presenting varying approaches, contributors postulate a renewal of pedagogical approaches to the teaching of French as a foreign language, while others call on government authorities to promote and implement language policies in favor of French that take into account the realistic needs of the country. Comprised of three parts, part I examines the relationship between language policies and the texture of French educational planning in Nigeria. Part II reflects on policy enunciations and interpretations that affect both the present and future, as well as the challenges that French teaching and learning in the Nigerian educational system. Part III explores policy decisions on French language education. Through detailed analysis and interview data, Akinpelu, Ajiboye, and the contributors argue for renewed approaches to French language studies in Nigeria from practical sociolinguistic pressures.

Michael Akinpelu is Associate Professor Sociolinguistics at the University of Regina, Canada. Tunde Ajiboye is retired professor of French Language and Linguistics at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria.

List of Illustrations List of Tables List of Contributors Acknowledgments Introduction Part I: French Language: Policy and Diplomacy Issues Chapter One: Abacha and French: From Intervention to Interlude? Tunde Ajiboye (University of Ilorin, Nigeria) Chapter Two: The Politics of Language Policies in Nigeria: Some Implications for the Teaching and Learning of French Bayo Isa (University of Ilorin, Nigeria) Chapter Three: Nigeria's Educational Policy on Foreign Language Acquisition: An Albatross to the Teaching and Learning of French Rasaq Aina Thomas (Lagos State University, Nigeria) Chapter Four: The French Language and Nigeria's Geopolitics in West Africa Margaret Mary Okon (University of Calabar, Nigeria) and Samson Fabian Nzuanke (University of Calabar, Nigeria) Chapter Five: Re-articulating French as a Language-Based Security Measure in Addressing National Security Challenges in Nigerian Borderlands Peter Akongfeh Agwu (University of Calabar, Nigeria) and Angela A. Ajimase (University of Calabar, Nigeria) Chapter Six: The Contribution ofthe French Institute to Disseminating the French Language in Nigeria Rebecca Alao (University of Regina, Canada) and Michael Akinpelu (University of Regina, Canada) Part II: French Language in the Nigerian Education System: Trends and Challenges Chapter Seven: French in Nigerian Universities Today: Examining the Trials of our Times Tunde Ajiboye (University of Ilorin, Nigeria) Chapter Eight: The Future of French Language in Nigerian Education: Secondary School Students' Perspectives Samson Olusola Olatunji (University of Ilorin, Nigeria) Chapter Nine: The Challenges of French Language Teaching and Learning in Nigeria Afsat Sanni-Suleiman (University of Ilorin, Nigeria), Ibrahim Adissa Owoo (University of Ilorin, Nigeria), and David Boluwatife Nehemiah (University of Benin, Nigeria) Part III: French Language Didactics Chapter Ten: Language Education in Nigeria: A Case for the Integration of Information and Communication Technology in Teaching French Olushola Adedeji (University of Regina, Canada)and Michael Akinpelu (University of Regina, Canada) Chapter Eleven: Content Assessment of Selec ted Mobile Apps for Learning French as a Foreign Language in South-West Nigerian Universities Olukemi Esther Adetuyi-Olu-Francis (University of Lagos, Nigeria) Chapter Twelve: Improving French Education in Nigeria Through the Adoption of Immersion Programs at the Basic Education Level Michael Akinpelu (University of Regina, Canada) and Olushola Adedeji (University of Regina. Canada) Chapter Thirteen: Action-oriented Approach in Teaching French as a Foreign Language in Nigerian Secondary Schools Omotayo Foluke Siwoku-Awi (University of Ilorin, Nigeria) and Julius Olufemi Oyetunde (Redeemers University, Nigeria) Chapter Fourteen: The Game Pedagogy in Teaching French as a Foreign Language at Crescent School, Lagos Mudasiru Akanbi Ilupeju (University of Lagos, Nigeria), Mujibat Opeyemi Omotokese (University of Lagos, Nigeria), and Rasaq Babatunde Lasisi (Federal College of Education, Oyo, Nigeria) Conclusion Tunde Ajiboye (University of Ilorin, Nigeria) and Michael Akinpelu (University of Regina, Canada) Index