Leveraging Information and Communication Technology in English Teaching and Learning: A Study of Selected Tertiary Institutions in Zaria

Abstract

English language has remained indomitable in the linguistic terrain of Nigeria all limiting criticisms notwithstanding. It is absolutely apparent that English has the largest users among other internationally recognized foreign languages and that alone has credited its acceptance as one of the leading languages in the world. Technologically, most inventions or products that are not English-based have their instructional guides translated to English. This will make such inventions gain wider marketability. Technology has made it possible for all fields of human endeavour to experience ease, speed and tremendous output in whatever each organization specializes in producing. The adoption and promotion of technology in the teaching of English language is a cardinal venture most especially in the current global outbreak of ravaging pandemics like Ebola, COVID- 19 among others. Of course, the traditional face-to-face teaching and learning era is gradually becoming unpopular in the global educational system. Thus, Nigeria cannot but embrace this wave of teaching and learning via various gadgets. In this regard, this paper attempts to examine the significance of scaffolding technology in English language teaching and learning in Nigeria putting its challenges and prospects into consideration. The author gathered the relevant data through both primary (questionnaire) and secondary sources (books). The findings of the research reveal that leveraging ICT while teaching and learning English language has not gained sufficient attention in Nigerian educational system as obtainable in advanced nations. Ergo, this paper will identify the relevance of ICT in the English language classroom. The conclusion reflects that leveraging ICT in teaching and learning of English language in Nigeria will facilitate convenience, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, concretization, consistency and comprehensibility for the teacher and the concerned learners.