CRITICAL READING INSTRUCTIONS FOR EFFECTIVE LANGUAGE EDUCATION IN NIGERIAN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS
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Abstract
The success of any education programme depends largely on the language used for instruction. In Nigeria, English is used as a language of instruction right from the primary school to higher institutions. Students in higher institutions are expected to learn different skills in English language in order to improve their performance in various causes studied in the school. Thus, critical reading skill in English is one of the skills needed when they read academic materials such as textbooks, journals, and research works that could help them analyse, synthesise and evaluate what is read. This paper discusses the role of language in higher institutions, the concept of critical reading, and some basic steps in critical reading. The paper also highlights strategies for instruction in critical reading and its roles in language education in higher institutions. Finally, the paper recommends that critically, reading should be taught alongside some of the courses offered in higher institutions to promote students’ high order thinking skills.
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