Teacher Raises Concern Over Declining English Language Skills Among Secondary School Students

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13/04/26 • 29 ビュー • 0 シェア • に発表されました他の

A Lagos-based English teacher, Olawuyi Baliqees, has expressed deep concern over what she described as the declining proficiency in English language among secondary school students across Nigeria.

Baliqees, popularly known as Teacher Bilqis, warned that the problem is becoming increasingly widespread, noting that many students struggle with basic language skills despite advancing through the education system. Speaking in an interview with The Nigeria Education News, the educator said her more than a decade of classroom experience has revealed a troubling pattern among learners.

According to her, many students now find it difficult to construct simple sentences, comprehend passages, or write coherent essays, even at the senior secondary level. She noted that some students reach SS3—the final year of secondary school—without the ability to properly express their ideas in written English.

The teacher attributed the challenge to several factors, including weak foundations in language learning during the early stages of education. She explained that many students approach English language studies merely as an examination subject rather than as a skill that requires consistent practice and daily use.

“English has become something students only study when exams are near. But language doesn’t work that way. You cannot cram a language—you have to live with it,” she said.

Baliqees also pointed to the decline in reading culture among young people as a major contributor to the problem. She observed that the increasing influence of social media—where abbreviations, slang, and informal expressions dominate communication—has affected students’ writing habits and language development.

In addition, she highlighted outdated teaching methods in some schools as another challenge, noting that teaching strategies have not evolved sufficiently to match the learning styles of modern students. According to her, today’s learners require more engaging and interactive approaches to language instruction.

While acknowledging the efforts of many dedicated educators, Baliqees stressed that inconsistent professional development opportunities and limited institutional support continue to affect teaching quality in schools. She noted that there remains a significant gap between traditional classroom instruction and the realities of today’s digital and visually oriented learners.

Education experts have long warned that weak literacy skills can significantly affect academic performance across subjects, as language proficiency is fundamental to comprehension, communication, and learning in most disciplines.

Baliqees therefore urged stakeholders in the education sector—including teachers, parents, and policymakers—to take urgent steps to strengthen reading culture, improve teaching strategies, and support continuous professional development for educators in order to reverse the trend.

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