Bridging Language and Agriculture: Enhancing English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) Learning for Agricultural Development among Rural Community Youths in Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64348/zije.2025198Keywords:
ESL, Agriculture, Rural Areas, Food Security, Literacy, EmpowermentAbstract
Rural Nigeria continues to face persistent challenges of poverty, food insecurity, and low literacy rates, compounded by high school dropout levels and limited access to quality education. A significant factor exacerbating this challenge is low English proficiency, which limits access to agricultural innovations, extension services, and government interventions often disseminated in English. This study investigates the integration of English as a Second Language (ESL) education with agricultural training as a dual approach to address both literacy and livelihood challenges in underserved communities dadinkowa and Dinki, Igabi Local of of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Using a mixed-methods design, 320 rural youth and school dropouts were enrolled in a three (3) months program combining ESL lessons with practical agricultural workshops. Eventually, 120 of the participants were given the questionnaire to respond to. Findings from the survey revealed that the program had a very poor impact on improving English proficiency among rural learners, there was no impact of Agricultural Skills and Practices on participants’ farming productivity, Farmers never Link ESL and Agriculture to facilitate better adoption of agricultural practices, the program has promoted economic Empowerment, Inclusion, and Program Sustainability among rural women and youth, and there were some challenges that affect the sustainability of integrating ESL learning with agricultural development in rural communities. Based on the findings, the following recommendations were proffered; more training programmes on improving English proficiency among rural learners should be mounted, Emphasis should be made on Agricultural Skills and Practices so as to improve participants’ farming productivity, Farmers should Link ESL and Agriculture to facilitate better adoption of agricultural practices.
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