دراسة تقويمية لسياسة تعليم اللغة العربية في الجامعات النيجيرية جامعة إلورن أنموذجا

Abstract

This study attempts to evaluate the language policies of Nigerian universities, specifically for Arabic language in training students to enable them to acquire spoken or written competency to acquaint them with the socio-cultural, commercial, political and diplomatic aspects of the life of the speakers of the language with a view to promote international understanding and to equip them with adequate training for jobs in the fields of teaching, translation and interpretation, administration, journalism and diplomatic service. Vis-a-vis the language policies and implementation, the factors impeding the effectiveness of this language planning are also identified. The inability of Arabic education in Nigerian universities to achieve the objectives has led the researcher to investigate the Nigerian language planning and policies and its resultant effects on the teaching and learning of Arabic language in Nigerian universities in general and the University of Ilorin in particular. The importance of this study comprises of enriching research in the field of Arabic language planning for non-native speakers as well as language policies at the Federal Ministry of (Higher) Education, the National Universities Commission and Islamic institutions to reconsider the prospects of Arabic language in Nigeria. For this purpose, a qualitative approach was applied by conducting series of interviews, observations and review of related literatures with the aim of ascertaining answers to the research questions. The research findings show that the teaching of this language is shrouded in a lot of obstacles in Nigerian universities, including the University of Ilorin. Paramount amongst them is the effect of the current language policy on Arabic language which is the major reason for the decline of Arabic language and lack of ample employment opportunities for graduates of Arabic language, creating negative perception and apathy in the contemporary Nigerian society towards Arabic language.