MAKING PROFESSIONAL ETHICS COUNT IN LANGUAGE TEACHING AND LEARNING IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper examines the role that professional ethics play inenhancing language teaching and learning. Language teachingand learning are like two sides of the same coin. Languagelearning is better enhanced with effective languageteaching/lecturing. Both are in turn affected by a myriad offactors, including the cultivation and maintenance of professionalethics. That language teaching and learning have suffered serioussetbacks in Nigeria is evident by the low level of proficiency oflanguage graduates, especially that of English, as well as theperennial poor performance of students at the various levels ofeducation in the country. The paper notes the role thatprofessional ethics would play in arresting the trend. It concludesthat the cultivation and maintenance of professional ethics bylanguage teachers/lecturers and students would enhanceproductivity, restore declining public confidence in teaching aswell as promote the level of proficiency of, especially, Englishlanguage graduates.