REF Series: Conversation with an English Teacher

The Rapid English Fluency Series is an opportunity for English learners and teachers to share their experiences with the language to motivate or inform others. For today, Omololu shares her experience, dreams, and tips to help other English learners. Happy reading!

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I’m an educator and a class teacher who teaches Year 6 Literacy. This entails grammar, comprehension, and creative writing.

What motivated you to learn English?

Where I come from, English language is the lingua franca, and that automatically makes it a necessity.

Do you speak any other languages?

Yes, I do. I speak the Yoruba language and Pidgin English (Guinea Coast Creole) fluently.

Although, there is and has been ongoing clamour to make the Pidgin language one of the official languages of the country due to its popularity among the citizens.

Ironically, a large percentage of Nigerians are illiterate. But surprisingly, there are no communication barriers between the learned and unlearned despite the huge diversity in ethnicity. 

Over the years, Pidgin English has been able to bridge the gap between these sets of people. Everyone speaks and understands it fluently. With Pidgin English, an individual’s tribe, region, and educational qualification(s) do not matter.

What has helped you learn English more?

I will say the reading of novels, watching of movies, and me being a literacy teacher has helped me evolve.

Whenever I have to prepare my slides and plans for my grammar lessons, I visit various educational sites to study the topics for a firmer grasp. This has made me better at speaking, writing, and understanding the rules that guide the language.

I also pay rapt attention during diction lessons and movie binging. These avenues have aided my proper enunciation of words.

In addition, as a class teacher, I am saddled with the responsibility of writing both the half and end-of-term comments for the pupils in my class. This has also promoted my sentence wording.

How many hours a day do you dedicate to studying or practicing English?

I am constantly studying and practising the English language either directly— while teaching or indirectly—while grading. It never stops.

Do you prefer speaking or writing in English? Why?

I prefer speaking in English because I enjoy the way my pupils try to mimic me whenever I talk, (casually) read, or teach.

I’m also of the opinion that a person passes more information when speaking as opposed to when writing. It could also be that I love the sound of my voice. 😂😂😂😂

What piece of advice can you give to English learners who are ready to abandon the language? 

My advice? Hmm… English is the number one language in the world! It comes with a “trainload” of advantages. Keep on practising. You’ll be glad you did. 👍