STUDENTS’ USE OF AFRICAN ORAL LITERATURE: ITS IMPLICATION AND PROSPECTS

Abstract

This article examines the relevance of African Oral Literature especially, the Oral Literature in developing students’
reading and writing ability. It posits that the values of folktales to both students and teachers are of paramount
importance in the light of the current dearth of reading habit among Nigerian students. Teachers and students can
become successful when they are conversant with the story telling techniques of oral rendition that is audience
friendly, audience centered articles further discusses the importance of Oral Literature in a child’s development,
later life in learning a second language. As he listens to, and reacts to stories told by elders, his receptive and
expressive skills are developed which helps the child immensely later in life. This articles specifically emphasizes the
moral, educational and entertainment values of folktales. It submits that these values can help the individual to
leverages, soften, or cope with all kinds of tough language situation the student may find him/herself. Several
recommendations are made, amongst them are: our leaders should imbibe the rich moral lessons in our folktales in
order to reinforce better governance, government should make teacher education more functional through the
provision of equipment and other resources, to enable a shift from its present dependence on paper qualification, to a
technical know-how by fully supporting education at all levels.