The Internet and Trends in Vocabulary Development: Implications for Enhanced Teacher Educational Programmes in Nigeria

Abstract

This study sought to determine the extent to which secondary school teachers' and University lecturers' are aware of the new Internet lexical items and how instructional practices are being affected by the emergence of this new mode of pedagogies. The study also attempted to establish the relevance and appropriateness of e-registers and coinages and their implications in teacher education programmes. With stratified randomized sampling technique, a quantitative and qualitative survey was conducted on thirty (30) lecturers and forty (40) English Language teachers selected from four Nigerian Universities and five secondary schools in South Western zone of Nigeria. A questionnaire and a
semi- structured interview schedule were employed to poll respondents' views regarding the
appropriateness of the newly evolved Internet lexicon. The data gathered were analyzed using mean scores and percentages both across and within the two categories of respondents. Results showed that an average number of the respondents agreed that Internet lexicons are significant to learning and teaching in ESL. However, majority of the respondents are of the opinion that e- coinages, slang and jargons should be restricted to informal communication. The study recommended, among others, that careful analysis is needed in differentiating deviations from genuine coinages in order to offset the backwash effect on linguistic input of learners in Nigeria ESL context. The implications for teacher education programmes in Nigeria were discussed.

Keywords: Internet Lexicon; e-coinages; e-registers; Teacher Education.

International Journal of Educational Research Vol. 4 (1) 2008: pp. 47-58