Igbo language is studied as a means of communication ideas and disseminating learning as well as providing for a total growth and development of the child.  The student teacher should not only be a professional but also a specialist who will be pedagogically equipped with a equate skills and competencies.  Therefore, the philosophy of the programme is aimed at producing an articulate, dynamic, innovative and well-motivated teacher who will be well-equipped to teach igbo Language as a first language in the Junior Secondary School level of the Basic Education System.

 Objectives.

Specifically, the objectives are as in the following:

1. Equip the student with basic language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in the current and approved orthography.
2.  teach the student the sound, lexis, and structure of the Igbo language.
3.  Expose the student to available oral and written literature in the Igbo Language
4.   Teach, promote, and preserve Igbo cultural heritage through the use of the Igbo language.
5.   Equip the students with the techniques and principles of teaching and evaluating in the Igbo language.
6. Motivate the student to apply the various language skills he has learned to further promote the development of the Igbo language through creative writing criticism, appreciation, socio-cultural activities, filmmaking, songwriting, etc.
7.  Foster the use of Igbo language as a medium of instruction in schools.

3.  ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

General

1. A senior secondary school certificate {SSC} NECO or GCE  ‘O’ level with credits in four [4] subjects, including English language, at two sitting.  Two of the credits should be relevant to the course the candidates wishes to offer.  A pass in Mathematics may, however , be required.
    
2.  A Grade 11 Teacher’s {TC11} with credit or merit in three subjects, two or which must be relevant to the course the student wishes to offer. Credit and merit in English Language and/ or Mathematics may be requirement in some courses.
    
3.  For candidates wishing to offer courses in vocational and Technical Education , RSA in City and Guilds Intermediate Certificate, with the Federal Craft Training Certificate with credit/ merit in at least four subjects are acceptable qualification.
    
4. Associate Certificate in Education awarded by in approved institution in Nigeria or abroad is also acceptable qualification.
    
5. Successful candidates in the Pre-NCE final examination who also take and succeed in a selection examination organized by an accredited body would also be qualified for admission.
    
6. All candidates wishing to be considered for admission must enroll for and write the selection examination organized by an accredited body such as JAMB.
    
7. It should be noted that some college may in addition to all the above, administer their own elimination test and or interview for some courses. This is legitimate.

ii. Additional

    In addition to the general admission requirement for the NCE, candidates wishing to major in Igbo must have a credit in the Language at the SSCE/NECO or GCE ‘O’ level. Candidates who have passed Pre-NCE Igbo examination may be admitted.

4. Facilities

1. Classrooms: The classroom must be spacious enough and well equipped. There should be no sharing of classroom to avoid clashes.
2. Laboratory/Studio etc: A well-equipped language laboratory capable of sitting at least 30 students must be installed.
3. Staff Offices: Each Senior Academic Staff should have a comfortable – furnished office to himself/herself. There should also be an office for support Staff (Typists, Clerks) with relevant equipment e.g. computers, reproduction machines etc.
4. Books in the College Library: There must be enough books to cover all the areas of the subject to the ratio of one student to ten books. Besides, there must be a well-equipped Departmental Library to compliment the College Library.

Other specialized facilities: Mini-museum or Culture room.

• An I.P.A. computer
• Cassette recorder, tapes and batteries.
• Videotape recorder and Cassettes.
• A sound-proof dedicated peer-group teaching laboratory.

5. Personnel

1. Academic Staff:

For effective teaching of Igbo as a single major, at least eight (8) academic staff are required. Academic staff should hold at least a first degree (second class lower) and a minimum teaching qualification of NCE. Acquisition of a higher degree is an added advantage.

The Academic staff should be distributed thus: 

1.  Two lecturers for Igbo Language
2. Two lecturers for Igbo Literature
3. One lecturer for Igbo Culture
4. One lecturer for Igbo Methodology
5. Two lecturers for Igbo Linguistics 

For effective teaching of L₁ and L₂  in one department, a minimum of 12 academic staff are required.

ii. Non-Academic.

The following support staff are required:

1.  One Laboratory Technician 
2.  One Computer Operator
3.  One Messenger
4.  One Clerical Officer
5. One Curator
    

6. Mode of Teaching.

Various methods of teaching L₁ and L₂ appropriate to the topic should be used.

Tutorials and field trips should be carried out when necessary. The native speakers of the Igbo Language related programmes and activities.

7. Graduation Requirements

All students of Igbo programs must earn:

a. General Education                                =          30 Credit Units

b. Teaching Practice                                  =          6 Credit Units

c. General Studies                                      =          18 Credit Units

d. Igbo                                                           =          32 Credit Units

e. Any other Teaching subjects              =          32 Credit Units

Total                                                              =          118 Credit Units

8. Teaching Practice

Every students is required to do Teaching Practice and the credit earned recorded under EDU 324. It would be convenient to dedicate the 1^st semester 3^rd year to TP. Expediently therefore the courses should be redistributed such that the credit summation is retained.

9.  Project

Every student is required to write and submit a project in either Igbo, second teaching subject or Education and the credit earned recorded under EDU 323.

10. Subject Combination

The possible combinations are:

1. Igbo/English
2.  Igbo/French
3. Igbo/Yourba L₂
4.  Igbo/ Hausa
5. Igbo/ CRS
6. Igbo/ISS
7.  Igbo/Arabic
8.  Igbo/Music
9.  Igbo/Social Studies
10. Igbo/History
11. Igbo/Culture and Creative Arts

Igbo may also be combined with any other subject approved by the college.