Reading in English as a Second Language in the Social Nigerian Social Environment

Abstract

Environment and Education are inseparable under normal circumstances. The two are supposed to go parri passu and the environment is supposed to benefit from its educational system in the Nigerian environment, English is regarded and taught as a second language. Reading is an indispensable aspect of any educational system and there is hardly any learning or development without reading. However, in Nigeria, reading is not given the attention and encouragement it deserves. This explains why students’ performance in internal and external examinations is still being complained about. Both the home and the school do not provide reader friendly environments. This is seen for example in lack of appropriate learning facilities such as suitable homes, congested classrooms, poor lightning systems, inadequate furniture, lack of reading materials, functional libraries etc. This paper therefore mirrors the situation of reading in Nigeria by examining the problems it faces as well as offering worthwhile suggestion for improvement.