Don Advocates Language Laboratories In All Institutions To Aid Both Students And Staff In Language Learning

Prof. Helen Bodunde, a leading expert in Communication and Teaching English as a Second Language of the Communication and General Studies Department at the College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (COLAMRUD), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) has advocated establishment of language laboratories in all institutions to aid both students and staff in language learning as she identified pedagogical methods as a key issue in teaching both indigenous and English languages.

Delivering the 91st Inaugural Lecture of the University on June 5, 2024, titled “Eliminating the Avoidable Gulf Between Knowledge and Development,” Prof. Bodunde pointed out the vital role of language in education and its impact on student learning, adding that addressing the pedagogical challenges from the foundation was essential.

She asserted that bridging the gap in comprehension, caused by inadequate teaching methods, could significantly enhance learners’ ability to benefit from education.

Prof. Bodunde, also the Chairperson of the Publications Committee of the University stressed the need to revisit and prioritise transitional bilingual education to enable Nigerians to function effectively both domestically and internationally.

Prof. Bodunde, a member of the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL) observed that enhancing teacher development was crucial, advocating for intensive training and retraining programmes to ensure language teachers are competent.

She urged 21st-century language educators to adopt high-order intellectual thinking to foster creativity, innovation, and socio-economic development.

Supporting the inclusion of listening skills training at all educational levels, Prof. Bodunde suggested integrating it into orientation programmes for new students to improve comprehension.

She, however, recommended establishing language laboratories in all institutions to aid both students and staff in language learning.

Additionally, Prof. Bodunde proposed the creation of language clinics to offer preventive and corrective language support, emphasising the importance of using appropriate language to stimulate critical thinking in various subject areas.

Earlier in his Introductory Remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde commended Prof. Bodunde for her significant contributions to the growth and development of the University.

Prof. Bodunde was once the Deputy Dean of College of Agricultural Management, FUNAAB (2007-2009); Director of Graduate Records and Career Centre (2009-2011) ; the Head of Department of Communication and General Studies at Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB) from 2013-2018 July; and the first Dean of Students of Federal University, Oye (FUOYE) (2012-2013).

She is presently the Chairperson, Publication Committee of FUNAAB and the Team Leader of Editorial Collective of English Language Teaching Today, a journal of National Association of Teachers and Researchers in English as a second (NATRESL), Nigeria, an Association she joined in 2004.

She is also a member and Technical team of Civil Societies Coalition on Development Goals.

Prof. Helen Aduke Bodunde was born in Ayede, Ekiti State, Nigeria in 1957 to Are-Ekiti born parents. She had her elementary and secondary schools in Ilupeju and Ayede Ekiti respectively.

Her tertiary education were at the Adeyemi College of Education, University of Benin where she obtained National Certificate in Education (English/Physical and Health Education) and Bachelor Education Degree in English respectively.

She later proceeded for her Masters degree in Educational Psychology at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kano and thereafter, a PhD in Teaching English as Second Language(TESL) in the same University.

Her wealth of experience spans over 30 years in teaching, research, and extension in higher education and 10 years in the basic and secondary education.

She has taught the Use of English for Academic purpose and to students of Agriculture, Engineering, Food Technology; Advanced Business Communication to MBA students; Essentials of Scholarly Writing, Research Methodology and Communication Ethics to Post Graduate students.

Prof. Bodunde’s research interests are in using emerging technologies in enhancing learning process in the tertiary institutions, particularly in Communication and English language teaching, Language issues in Education, Gender and Adolescent issues, Monitoring and Evaluation.

She has been involved in training workshops for journalists; teachers and students at secondary and tertiary levels.

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She has published over 65 articles in international and national outlets in the areas of Communication and Language, the effect of emerging technologies on learning and print media, and the roles of journalists in projecting sustainable development goals.