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Don Demands Urgent Reform Of Language Education Curriculum To End Chalkboard Confinement

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Professor Olaitan Olayemi Mabekoje delivering the 38th Inaugural Lecture of the Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, Ijagun

A Professor of  Language Education and Applied Linguistics and the Head of Department English Studies, Professor Olaitan Olayemi Mabekoje has called for a radical change in Language Education
programmes in Nigerian Universities which must urgently be redesigned to move beyond the traditional focus on teacher training and prepare students for diverse language-driven careers.

Delivering the 38th Inaugural Lecture of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ogun State, recently, Prof. Mabekoje said that the proposed reimagined model of language Education should serve as a template for reforming existing curricula across institutions. He noted that the prevailing uniform curriculum, which largely confines graduates to classroom teaching, limits the vast career potential of language education.

The lecture, titled “Liberating Language Education for Limitless Language-Driven Careers: From Chalkboard Classroom Confinement to Corporate Communication Catalyst,” emphasised that language Education must be repositioned to equip students with communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed in the modern workplace.

According to the Scholar, Universities should deliberately redesign language Education curricula to align with emerging professional opportunities in areas such as Corporate Communication, Public Relations, Digital Media, Publishing and other Communication-driven sectors. Such reforms, he said, would make graduates more versatile and competitive in the labour market.

Prof. Mabekoje also called for stronger collaboration among government, educational institutions, industry professionals and students to ensure that language training reflects the realities and demands of contemporary industries. He explained that such partnerships would enhance practical training opportunities and improve job placement prospects for graduates.

The Professor further advocated regular review of Education policies to prioritise language education and ensure its relevance to national development and the changing global economy. He stressed that educators should be provided with continuous professional development opportunities to strengthen their capacity for effective language and communication instruction.

He also recommended the establishment of interdisciplinary programmes that integrate language studies with fields such as business, law and technology, noting that such integration would equip students with broader and more marketable skills.

Prof. Mabekoje maintained that when properly restructured, language Education could serve as a powerful catalyst for employability, innovation and economic growth, producing graduates capable of thriving in multiple professional fields beyond the classroom.

The Ag Vice Chancellor and the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Adekunle Adeogun FISN commended the Inaugural Lecturer for his contributions to his field and the training of teachers in the nation.

Prof. Adeogun along with other members of the University Management, Senate , Provost of the Postgraduate College, Deans, Directors, Professional colleagues,  members of the Ijebu Ode Club and a host of other Distinguished Guests witnessed the historic lecture, which marked not only an important rite of passage in academic life but also a defining milestone in the scholar’s journey from an embroidery machine operator to a teacher of teachers.
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