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Acculturation and its influence on the acquisition of English as second language in Northern Nigeria

Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of English, School of Languages, Jigawa State College of Education, Gumel, Nigeria

Res. J. Language and Literature Sci., Volume 6, Issue (1), Pages 23-27, January,19 (2019)

Abstract

This conceptual paper deliberates on the influence of Schumann's (1978) acculturation model on the acquisition of English as a second language (ESL) in northern Nigeria. Although the model was developed in the second language (L2) acquisition within its native country environment, some of its eight social factors can be applied to other situations especially where the target language is an official/national medium of communication. Hence, this paper started with a brief discussion of acculturation model and its eight social variables. Next, it reviewed the status of English in Nigeria. Then, cultural influence on ESL acquisition was deliberated upon and northern Nigerian culture with its devastating consequence on the overall success of ESL learning discussed. At the end, a conclusion reemphasized the cultural situation in Nigeria and suggested an awareness campaign in the northern areas as a means of uplifting the chances of acculturation for improving ESL learning.

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