ATTITUDE OF TEACHERS TO THE USE OF LITERATURE IN TEACHING THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS IN THE NIGERIAN CLASSROOMS: A STUDY OF IHIALA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE.

Abstract

The study of a second language aims at a good command of the language for the purpose of communication and does not therefore rule out a reading of the literature in the language. To achieve communicative competence, Nigerian educational planners have joined the two subjects to be one in the Nigerian junior secondary schools. But the problem is lack of effective implementation in the Nigerian schools. So the aim of this paper is to investigate the attitude of teachers towards the use of this method in Ihiala Local Government Area. Using a qualitativeinterview method, the researcher has tried to elicit the teachers’ perceptions about the method. The results of the data collected show that the literary text is a good and useful tool for learning a second language because it leads the learner into developing the language skills, exposing the learner to real language and active participation in the class.  Preference is given to reading and listening.  Language level, students’ needs and interests, and course objectives are some of the criteria to consider while choosing a literary text and all the teachers would like to receive training in the method especially in designing activities.It is also important to note that some findings are consistent while some contradict with previous studies.After a brief introduction, she reviewed some related literature, presented the analysis of the data collectedand the methodology she used in achieving her objectives. Then she presented some recommendations that would help in achieving greater impact in the use of literature in the language classroom.