Inclusion of Literacy Programme in Teacher Education Curriculum in Anglophone African Countries: The Synthetic Phonics Action Research in Nigeria

Learning English Language and using it to learn other subjects have been difficult and a barrier to the educational achievements and aspirations of students in Anglophone Africa.  Nigeria has recorded low English literacy rate of 59.6% and high failure rates in State examinations. A literacy intervention project using synthetic phonics method, by the Nigerian government, across its States in collaboration with two UK based organizations has proved to be effective in increasing the literacy levels of Nigerian pupils. This paper describes this research and need to include the method in the curriculum of tertiary institutions in Anglophone Africa.