Innovation in Language Learning

The pace of increasing globalisation in the 21st century has been facilitated largely by development in information and communication technologies (ICTS). A recourse to the use of  such technologies in the language classroom will go a long way to resolve some primary concerns in relation to over-crowdedness, inadequacy of resources and challenges of classroom management. These problems  among others, are peculiar to developing nations. This paper elucidates the impact  of the digital age on the teaching and learning of  English and communication skills (ECS)  in  Nigerian Universities drawing from the example of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB). Electronic communication with its own distinctive style full of abbreviations and deviant use  of language has evolved as a contemporary phenomenon. This, some believe, is promoting a decline in basic literacy, affecting effective language usage and communication. This trend calls for a pro-active effort on the part of teachers to be more versatile and proficient in digital and information technologies; and the mastery of the skills of language and communication for effective  management of  the English language and ICTS. Though bereft with challenges, experience at FUNAAB revealed that  ICT- mediated teaching and learning stimulates interest and enhances language acquisition and performance in language classes. The paper further recommend adequate provision of infrastructural amenities, availability of requisite soft and hardware packages and workable policy to sustain interest and enhance motivation for greater performance.