ENGLISH LANGUAGE AS THE DETERMINING FACTOR OF

STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC SUCCESS.

Language, as a medium through which humans express their feelings, discuss
ideas, and through which skills and knowledge are transmitted to younger
generations, cannot be separated from education. Education is realized through
language.
No fewer than 53 countries adopt English as their official language around the
globe. Thus, regarded as the global lingua franca. All over the internet (which is
the source of all online information nowadays), communications, both
professional and otherwise are exchanged in English. Peer reviewed journals,
online educational forums and international organizations uses it as a medium
of communication. In fact, for one to secure admission into some of the top-
ranked universities or other prestigious universities, even in some non-speaking
English countries, one must pass English proficiency examination. And this is
put in place to ensure that one mastered the language of instruction that he/she
would be taught in. For this reason, it necessitates individuals that aspire to
break country barriers and compete globally to have a good command of it.
In Nigeria, just like many other countries around the globe, the language of
instruction adopted as a policy is English. Not only in classrooms, English is the
second language of Nigeria considering the multilingual nature of the country.
This comes with so much benefit for it is now gaining global acceptance. It is
the language in which the entire curriculum of education of the country is
designed and all other subjects in the curriculum are taught in English, except
for few native languages. More so, it is the language of instruction from primary
school, through secondary school, and still before admitted into any tertiary
institution, a student must pass it with credit. It has since long become the
touchstone of academic excellence. For the aforementioned reasons, coupled
with other uncountable roles English language plays in the academia, it has
become a necessity for every Nigerian, especially students to have a good
command of it.
Hard as this maybe to believe, despite the above facts, here in Alfurqan
Learner's Academy, vernacular (Hausa) is the dominant spoken language. So
much effort had been put forth by numerous committees and several policies
had been drafted to curb this lingering attitude but all to no avail. One may
argue that it is not the student’s/teacher’s fault, they are just poor victims of
cultural and social influence and subjugation. But so many schools within our
locality have won the conquest and are speaking English within their school
premises and beyond.
What's at stake?
From the preceding paragraphs, it has been established undoubtedly that
English language serves as the pivot of our educational system. Only by
understanding it can our students fully comprehend the subjects they are being
taught.
More importantly, the mission of the school to become a centre of excellence in
academic, moral, social and intellectual orientation for national development
and transformation cannot be realized since the bedrock upon which the entire
education is hinged is neglected. The mission and vision of the school can only
be realized if and only if the language of the curriculum is understood by the
students.
What's your take?
To my fellow teachers, are we to continue threading this awful path at the
expense of producing half-backed students, who would inevitably and
subsequently become the teachers of our own children?
To the school management, would you fold your hands and allow this venom to
continue eating the fabrics of our dear school, and also continue losing students
to other sister-schools and competitors?
These are valid questions that we all need to ponder upon and answer.