Turkish Colleges Simplify English Language for Improved Performance
Uchechukwu Nnaike
In recent times, securing credit in core subjects like English Language and Mathematics has become an uphill task among many Nigerian students hence the rate of failure in external examinations in the country.
Going by what has continued unabated, facing an examination in English Language has been proven to be more sophisticated for more than 55 per cent of candidates who sit for either sciences or arts subjects.
Over the years, the overall results from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) indicate that there is need for a permanent solution.
Consequently, educators have continued to devise and adopt new methods of teaching the subject to ensure easy understanding and an improved performance of students in external examinations.
The Nigerian Turkish International Colleges (NTIC) with about 12 institutions across the country whish admit and churn out time-tested students have emerged as leading light in preparing candidates to face difficult academic situations in any higher institution.
Known for their expertise mainly in science subjects, NTIC in 14 years has registered its presence in six states, Lagos, Ogun, Kaduna, Kano, Yobe and Abuja and has delved into ensuring that prospective university scholars acquire sound fundamental knowledge in English Language.
With the sole aim of preparing its students to work towards a bright future, the Head of English Language and Litera- ture Department of the College, Mr. Fevzvllah Bilgin, revealed that the institution preferred to stick with experienced and dedicated members of academic and non-academic staff in a bid to guarantee enhanced teaching and efficient service.
Highlighting the college’s antecedents, Bilgin said, “actually the students have been successful in mathematics and other science subjects mainly because there are examinations which give them the chance to showcase their performance.
“Just as it has been with Mathematics and science subjects, our students are also very successful in English Language, but we don’t show it and we don’t advertise it through our club activities and other means.
According to him, “during competitions, our students record enviable achievements. For example, there was this competition of spelling. Our students came second and third place in Abuja in different years. Also, there was an institution from America, Gulen Institution, where our students took part in international essay competition and came10th position in the world.
“Similarly, there are other very good achievements in the same area, but specifically science and mathematics competitions seem to be more organised internationally and students have the chance to join and show the results.
On how the students have fared in WAEC and other external examinations, Bilgin stated “Our school does not just teach English Language, we ensure that the subject is being taught in the best possible way which is in line with international standards.
“Smart boards have improved the teaching of English Language and literature in our school. In English, if the teachers stand in class and deliver in the way of lecturing, the students will be idle and passive. They will only be the receivers instead of being active and independent learners trying to construct their own learning themselves.
“Using smart boards to teach is very necessary for learning because it makes students’ attention period to last longer and in so doing, they learn better because they are being engaged properly.
“For example, in teaching vocabulary, the teacher can easily write the key words of any passage or the target word and at the same time, the teachers can put the definition on the right side in a scrabble way and the students can be asked to go to the board and drag the correct definition and merge with the correct word. With this, they become more active and learn more.”
On the nature of the syllabus, the English master disclosed “We use Nigerian curricula. And so, we offer WAEC standard curriculum. Currently, we are preparing our students for WAEC and JAMB examination and everything we are doing in our classrooms are based on Nigerian curriculum but if a child intends to travel abroad after leaving the college, we give extra courses like SAT, TOEFEL to assist students that wish to study abroad.
“The second advantage in NTIC is in getting international admission into universities because we have got some link and affiliation to universities. We provide a lot of information about universities, sometimes they ask representatives of the university to come to Nigeria and visit NTIC to directly talk to the parents and children and provide information about the university.
“We are proud of our students because of the success they have been recording. It simply shows that Nigerian curriculum is already good enough and there is no problem with it as long as we teach in the best way and correct methodology.
On how the school helps international students without English Language background, Bilgin explained: “If an international student comes to NTIC and has no English Language background, there is no problem at all, the school helps in terms of adaptation, socialisation, guidance and counselling, but if a child comes with a low proficiency in English or no English at all, we have support classes, extra lessons to prepare the students to be able to manage in the classroom in terms of learning, communication and socialisation.
“We provide extra assistance to the students depending on the condition of the child. Reading is a challenge to some of the students, as a department with the school administration, we have agreed to schedule a reading time into the school time table.
“In all branches of NTIC, all students regardless of their age class, we believe that through our compact teaching schedule, students will improve their vocabularies, their verbal capacity, general knowledge among others.”