Analysis of the English language curriculum content aimed at teaching summary writing amongst secondary school students in Nigeria

Abstract

The study was an exploration of the analysis of the English language curriculum content aimed at teaching summary writing among secondary school students in Nigeria. The aim of summary writing is to equip the learner with the technique that enhances comprehension and retention of written discourse. The review revealed that summary writing is not a theme on its own in the senior secondary school curriculum; it appears as a sub-topic under Theme 3 (Literacy skills – Reading comprehension) of each of SS1, SS2, and SS3 classes. Perhaps this is why some teachers in English-as-a-second-language (ESL) classrooms do not know exactly how to teach summary writing. It was thus concluded that the teaching of summary writing requires a conscientious use of innovative techniques, methods, approaches, and relevant instructional resources. Nevertheless, it was recommended that students should be made to realise that the aim of summary writing is to equip them with the technique that enhances comprehension and retention of written discourse. This is a skill they shall need throughout their lives. Moreover, English language teachers teaching summary should aim at enhancing the ability of learners to comprehend word meaning through context and to make notes thereafter, and not otherwise.