Language Teachers and Teachers’ Language: A Study of Communicative Skills of Selected Nigerian University Lecturers

Abstract

Language teachers and teachers’ language are very necessary in developing and building /molding the entire lifestyles of students in and out of every academic environment. Their language can make or mar the understandings of the learners. Teachers generally are the audio-visuals that students at all levels emulate; their language is always accepted completely by some students (especially students at the lower levels). Without them academic activities cannot be successful. Also, where there are scarcities of language teachers; and teachers, unable to speak appropriately, the whole educational system will suffer a colossal loss and by extension, the society will be groping in total darkness (i.e. backward at all spheres of human life). This study therefore investigates language teachers and teachers’ language in Nigerian universities. Data were sourced from lectures, teachers’ interactions at meetings, workshops, seminars, messages from lecturers’ WhatsApp groups and conferences. This study adopts Error Analysis and Symbolic Interactionalism as its theoretical frameworks. One of the major findings is that teachers’ language has duplicating effects and indelible imprints on the lives of the students; therefore, teachers should recognise who they are and use language appropriately for effective communication.