Imperatives of the Language Arts in the Communication Studies Curricula of Nigerian Universities

Abstract

Abstract Language Art entails the basic skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. When critically examined these skills are among the skills required for success in any environment, be it academic, religious, political, economic, social, and even in war situation. This is because they are literacy skills. The field of communication, no matter the nomenclature, cannot survive without the holistic inclusion of all of these skills. To communicate effectively, writing is essential, to write well, reading is crucial; and to speak well, listening is paramount. In Nigerian Universities, the Language Arts and the communication studies curricula stand separately without a complete synergy. Consequently, this study suggests a marriage that will result in effective synergy. Thus, this study investigated the extent to which the language arts are emphasized in communication study departments across selected universities in South West, Nigeria. The principal documents investigated were the departmental prospectus/handbooks to enable ascertain the level of compliance for the first year across all the universities chosen. The study recommends that language arts courses should be taught as a primary index in the communication studies curricula of Nigerian Universities. Further, it is recommended that the teaching of language art subjects in Nigeria should start from the Junior Secondary School.