THE EFFECTIVE USE OF ICT IN THE TEACHING AND LEARNING OF ORAL ENGLISH IN NIGERIAN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Abstract

Immersion with the target language is considered one of the significant factors for successful second language learning. This situation requires the learner to live in the environment where the target language is spoken and totally immerse with the society and culture of the people in order to gain linguistic competence in the language. But the situation whereby learners are unable to take advantage of study abroad opportunities, the use of blended learning approach where the learners can have access to the voice of the native speakers through technology can suffice. The advent of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) ushered in the application of smart technology in language learning; most especially, oral English and it has become an inevitable tool towards achieving accelerated digitalization. This paper examines the effective use of ICT in the teaching and learning of oral English in Nigerian secondary schools. It is hinged on the social learning theory which sees the learner as learning better by imitation and interaction. Five research questions were used to elicit information from respondents. The responses point to the Unavailability and inadequacy of some ICT facilities in secondary schools as the core hindrances towards the effective teaching and learning of oral English. It is recommended among other things that teachers be equipped to explore the use of technology in their language learning classrooms in order to prepare students to learn in this era of digitalization.