Language And National Development
- Social Sciences
- 400 level
- 3 credit units
- 133 pages
- 19 units
This course introduces students to the relationship between language and national development. It explores the nature of language, development, and national development, emphasizing the role language plays in fostering national progress. Students will examine relevant theories, paradigms, and objectives, including the Millennium Development Goals. The course also addresses the status and challenges of English language in Nigeria and its impact on various sectors.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 120 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assignments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of ENG453, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ENG453 · UNIT 1: THE CONCEPT OF LANGUAGE
A close look at the definitions of language given above shows that there are some qualities that are unique to all human languages. Here we shall explore such characteristics which will no doubt, give you more insight on what language is all about.
What you should be able to do
- Define language and its key characteristics
- Explain the relationship between language and national development
- Discuss the role of language in achieving national objectives
- Analyze the impact of English language in Nigeria
- Evaluate different theories of development
- Apply language concepts to real-world scenarios
What it prepares you for
- Policy Advisor
- Linguistic Analyst
- Education Consultant
- International Development Officer
- Government
- Education
- International Relations
- Non-Profit Organizations
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1: Understanding Language
Unit 2: Functions of Language
The sheer number of characteristics and their subtle differences can be overwhelming.
- Module 1: Understanding Language
Unit 3: The Origin of Language
Abstract concepts and lack of concrete evidence make it difficult to grasp the origin of language.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 28 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Understanding Language
Unit 1: The Concept of Language · 2 hours
Read the unit introduction and objectives.. Study the meaning of language according to Sapir, Stork and Widowson.. Understand the relationship between language and human beings.. List and discuss the characteristics of language.. Attempt the self-assessment exercise..
- Week 2Module 1: Understanding Language
Unit 2: Functions of Language · 2 hours
List and discuss the various functions of language.. Explain the referential function of language with examples.. Explain the abnatural function of language.. Demonstrate your understanding of the affective function of language.. Give examples of phatic usage of language.. Explain the recording and identifying functions of language..
- Week 3Module 1: Understanding Language
Unit 3: The Origin of Language · 2 hours
Identify various theories about the origin of language.. Compare the divine source, natural sound source, social interaction source, physical adaptation source, and tool making source of language.. Critically analyze the theories put forward as sources of language.. Give reasons for or against the divine source origin of language..
- Week 4Module 1: Understanding Language
Unit 4: The Language Situation in Nigeria · 2 hours
Discuss the language situation in Nigeria, including the number of languages and their classification.. Identify the foreign languages present in Nigeria and their influence.. Show the extent of interaction between Nigerian languages and foreign languages.. Name the three major languages in Nigeria and demarcate their areas of influence..
- Week 5Module 1: Understanding Language
Unit 5: A Survey of Nigerian Language Families · 2 hours
Define language family tree and state its importance.. Trace the family tree of some of Nigeria's languages, including Chadic, Niger-Congo, and Nilo-Saharan languages.. Explain what you understand as majority principle and the most natural development principle.. Comment on the Chadic languages in Nigeria..
- Week 6Module 1: Understanding Language
Unit 6: Language and Society · 2 hours
Explain how cultural contacts influence language.. Describe the relationship between language and power.. Appreciate that all languages are equal.. Describe how cultural contact influences change in language.. Discuss the relationship between language and power.. Demonstrate your understanding of the manner in which technology influences language change..
- Week 7Module 2: Understanding National Development
Unit 1: Development · 2 hours
Define development and identify its dimensions.. Trace the history of development studies.. Identify words confused with development, such as growth, modernization, and westernization.. Critique development.. Discuss what you think is wrong with Guzman's definition of development..
- Week 8Module 2: Understanding National Development
Unit 2: Theories of Development · 2 hours
Describe the various theories of development offered by scholars, including Adam Smith's theory of specialization, Auguste Comte's law of three stages, and Rostow's theory of five stages.. Compare theories of development.. Explain certain factors responsible for the development and non-development of nations.. Discuss the impediment of non-specialization of labour to the development of a country..
- Week 9Module 2: Understanding National Development
Unit 3: Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) · 2 hours
Define Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).. List the Millennium Development Goals.. State the targets of each of the Millennium Development Goals.. According to UN's definition of poverty, what is the characteristic of a person living in poverty?. List three factors that contribute to low enrolment of girls in schools..
- Week 10Module 2: Understanding National Development
Unit 4: National Development · 2 hours
Define a nation and describe national development.. Identify the faces of national development, including economic, political, and cultural aspects.. Define national development.. List the three faces of national development..
- Week 11Module 2: Understanding National Development
Unit 5: Nigerian National Development Objectives · 2 hours
Outline Nigeria's national development objectives.. Discuss Nigeria's national objectives.. Demonstrate your understanding of the relationship between freedom and democracy.. Discuss the advantages of building a just and egalitarian society.. Describe how we can achieve a strong and united nation..
- Week 12Module 3: Linking Language and National Development
Unit 1: Tracing the Paradigms Shifts in National Development · 2 hours
Define paradigm shift.. Trace the paradigm shifts in national development.. Discuss the various shifts in national development paradigms.. Show your understanding of the factors that led to the rise and fall of emphasis on the physical paradigm as the engine of national development..
- Week 13Module 3: Linking Language and National Development
Unit 2: The Relationship between Language and National Development · 2 hours
State the relationship between language, thought, and national development.. Describe how language communicates national development.. Identify the role of language in documenting national development.. Trace the connection between language, thought and national development..
Unit 3: Language and Nigerian National Development Objectives · 2 hours
Describe the role language plays in ensuring a free and democratic Nigeria.. Identify the role of language in ensuring national unity.. Explain the role of language in building egalitarian Nigeria.. Show the role of language in the building of a great and dynamic economy..
Preparing for the exam
- Create flashcards for key terms and definitions from Units 1-3.
- Practice essay questions on the relationship between language and national development.
- Review examples of language policies from different countries.
- Focus on understanding the core concepts of each theory of development.
- Prepare a case study analyzing the language situation in a specific Nigerian community.
- Create concept maps linking Units 3-5 development goals and objectives.
- Review all TMAs and their feedback carefully.
- Allocate specific time slots for each subject area during your study sessions.
- Prioritize topics based on their weight in the final examination.
- Get enough rest and maintain a healthy lifestyle during the exam period.
- Practice past questions to get familiar with the exam format and time constraints.
- Create summaries of key concepts and theories from each module.
- Form a study group with classmates to discuss and clarify difficult topics.
- Use online resources and videos to supplement your understanding of the course material.
- Focus on understanding the practical applications of language concepts in real-world scenarios.
- Review and practice the self-assessment exercises at the end of each unit.
- Create a detailed study schedule and stick to it as closely as possible.
- Identify your weak areas and dedicate extra time to studying them.
- Take regular breaks during your study sessions to avoid burnout.
- Stay positive and motivated throughout the exam preparation process.
Questions students ask about this course
What is ENG453 about?
This course introduces students to the relationship between language and national development. It explores the nature of language, development, and national development, emphasizing the role language plays in fostering national progress. Students will examine relevant theories, paradigms, and objectives, including the Millennium Development Goals. The course also addresses the status and challenges of English language in Nigeria and its impact on various sectors.
How many units does ENG453 have?
ENG453, Language And National Development, has 19 units across 4 modules, over 133 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ENG453?
ENG453 carries 3 credit units, at 400 level in Social Sciences.
Is ENG453 hard?
ENG453 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.
How long does ENG453 take to study?
About 120 hours of study, spread across its 19 units.
How is ENG453 assessed?
ENG453 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assignments and Final Examination.
What can I do with ENG453?
Policy Advisor, Linguistic Analyst, Education Consultant and International Development Officer.