Towards Producing Employable English Studies University Graduates in Nigeria

Abstract

It is clear that in Nigeria, there is a crisis of graduate unemployment and underemployment. The crisis is not just a question of the number of jobs available but also the doubtful capacity of an average graduate to fit into the modern skill-driven labour market which is increasingly emphasizing the possession of very specific and precise cutting edgeskills and abilities. The typical English Language programme in a Nigerian University is highly academic, focusing more on theories and concepts while the job market increasingly demands precise practical, task-oriented skills. This paper presents an overview of the increasing gap between the requirements of the labour market and the training typically provided in English Language programmes in Nigerian universities. The paper concludes that although English departments are not vocational training departments, they should be encouraged to make appropriate curricular adjustments that are in line with trends in modern labour market realities.