The Effect of Language Policy on the Teaching of Hausa

Abstract

Issues relating to language in Nigeria have been politicized to the extent that the educational sector is finding it extremely difficult to work towards the realization of the objectives of the national language policy. In several quarters, there have been outright demonstrations of psychological dissatisfaction with the language formula and criticisms of various kinds about the inadequacy of the policy. This study examines, through the teaching of Hausa, the extent to which the objectives of the national language policy have been realized. Three hundred male and female students drawn from six selected secondary schools within the Calabar Municipality constituted the subjects of the study. Using appropriate test statistics, the responses of those students who study Hausa were compared with the responses of those students who do not study Hausa. The findings show that the current national language policy in Nigeria has outlined its usefulness. A viable national language policy is recommended.

LWATI: A Journal of Contemporary Research, 8(1), 130-141, 2011