ELTAN National Workshop, Conference Ends At COOU Igbariam

Stakeholders at the just concluded twelfth annual national workshop and conference of the English Language Teachers Association of Nigeria, ELTAN have called on policy-makers to carry English Language Teachers along while making policies that concern them.

the workshop cum conference organized by ELTAN in conjunction with Department of English, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Igbariam took place at the University premises attended by the members of the association from all over Nigeria and representatives of British council.

The theme of the conference was, “English language Pedagogy: A bridge between policy and practice in Nigeria”.

In his welcome address, Vice-Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Professor Greg Nwakoby represented by his deputy in-charge of administration,Professor Matias Ananti, described the theme of the conference as apt and stated the need to revisit the pedagogy of teaching English Language noting that this will help reduce drastically the phobia towards English Language as a course.

The Convener and National President of ELTAN, Professor Iniere Ken-Maduako explained that the association is a non-profit academic organization for English Language Teachers at all levels with the mission to promote teaching of English Language and Literature in Nigeria and to jointly tackle problems that have common interests from different angles and called for more people to join ELTAN to enjoy the numerous benefits available

The Chairman on the occasion and Accountant General of Anambra State, Dr Chukwudi Okoli pointed out that the importance of English Language in the scheme of things, to restrategies and improve on the language cannot be overemphasized and called on policy-makers to include English Language Teachers in their policy making.

In his lead paper presentation, Professor Onyemaechi Mba from the Department of Linguistics, Igbo and Other Nigerian languages, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, said English Language pedagogy in Nigeria should be adjusted to the current global disposition of teaching foreign languages for wider and international communication and the indigenous languages to promote Nigerian national sensibilities and ethos, while Professor Felicia Muo of Coal City University, represented by Dr. Scholastica Mba spoke on the paper titled “Literature, Culture and the new media in Nigerian novels”.

In their separate remarks the Commissioner for Education, Professor Ngozi Chumah-Udeh represented by the Director of Higher Education, Mrs. Oyibo Aloor, and Head of Department of English, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Dr. Fidelia Okeke commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his education -friendly disposition, the Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Nwakoby for his efforts towards the conference and all that contributed in making the event a huge success.

Professor Echezona Ifejirika is the chairman Local Organizing Committee of the conference which ended with an eight-point communique which among other things called for the provision of quality education for all and the integration of technology, multilingualism and cultural diversity in English Language teaching.