Good morning guys,

Please, help me to help a friend.

I have tried everything possible within my capacity to help this guy but to no avail.
My friend is 22 and currently in one of the federal polytechnic here in Nigeria. This guy can speak good english well but the problem is he can not read nor write, the only thing he can write down is his name and Reg. No.

Last year, before first semester exam. I noticed that this guy is always avoiding conversation that involves reading or studying. I never saw him read, not even once. We are neighbours and friends.

I just decided to take it upon myself to find out what was wrong as I know, he is a good person but hiding something. So I offered to be helping him with his assignments and handout summary to my amazement the guy find it hard to read what I smartly asked him to. He refused to admit that he can't read, probably he was a shame to admit it, so I let him be.

He, then finally opens up to me about him not been able to read and write. Of course, this was after first semesters exam and I had to perster him before he was able to tell me of his secret. How have you been writing the exam then? I asked, he said "I submit blank paper" when the result came out he had 6 COs (carry overs).

Again, I offered to help. I did all his assignments, encourage him to write something in all his test, He improved on his CA and others except for reading as I told him to at list write some thing down.even if it means coping from someone siting next to him without getting caught, I'm not encouraging exam malpractice but he needed help urgently.

Now here's my major challenge and concern, Since January this year, I have used Queen's Premier, used other English materials, vowel and consonant sound

The only thing he's been able to read are just few two letter words. Thought I was the problem, so I lied to a friend who happens to be a lecturer that the guy needs help, and that he's finding it hard to understand his books. The lecturer agreed to help but later told the guy not to come again as the guy is still not getting any thing.

Please, help.... the guy want to learn but I don't know what exactly could be the problem.

Inputs please, I anticipate your wise advice.
Thanks.

Is he a native speaker?

How did he get to pass sch exams, WAEC and JAMB UTME anyway

He needs a specialist, I am a specialist (A Linguist)

He might have "reading disorder "

How possible is this?
How did he manage to gain admission?
Only God knows that school

Is he a born again? Na dem sabi speak all big big grammar but can't read or write

That's what happens to most kid when their parents speak English to them without teaching them how to read and write, they taught success is by speaking English

illicit:
Is he a native speaker?

How did he get to pass sch exams, WAEC and JAMB UTME anyway

He needs a specialist

yes, I agree with you.

The same and more questions I have also asked him and he said something about not knowing how he passed WAEC but as for JAMB, he did the computer base JAMB, picked any options he feels is right. then scored 145.

As for the admission, his family friend helped in working out the admission into the polytechnic.

bigtt76:
Is he a born again? Na dem sabi speak all big big grammar but can't read or write

Well, yes...
Serious one but no be the issue be that...
The guy need help..
If you get advise abeg drop am.

OlayemiAshraf:
He might have "reading disorder "

True.
I advised him, to see the students counselling unite, he was advice to get a Bible believing Church for prayers.
Which he did but we are still here.

You are a good friend, never let your guards down on him or give up, it's usually not easy to read and Write if a child fails to comprehend that at an earlier stage of his or her development not to talk of an adult, just be patient, start with those easier words like " come, go, table, you, us etc" he will pick up with time.

It could be a learning disorder, there is one for letters and one for numbers

You self u cannot write well ...Most of my class mates back then at the University couldn't write simple sentences and correct spellings... Nobody perfect sha

You ever heard of dyslexia?

He needs to listen and watch more YouTube English Language training videos. You can search for those that will enable him read along and also get a notebook with which he can also be writing down what is being taught in the videos. That way he practices both reading comprehension and writing.

Why I asked if he was a born again is because jokes apart, they rarely want to read or study anything other than the Bible or listen to language training videos but would rather spend hours listening to their pastors and read the Bible. Not that it's not good but most times these pastors don't use the correct tenses while preaching and you latch on it. Then again the Bible (aside from the New English Version) is written in old English format.

Your friend needs to dedicate more time to this and trust me he will be better off within the shortest possible time. All the best and God bless you for assisting him.

lambszy:

Well, yes...
Serious one but no be the issue be that...
The guy need help..
If you get advise abeg drop am.

Freestainworld:
You are a good friend, never let your guards down on him or give up, it's usually not easy to read and Write if a child fails to comprehend that at an earlier stage of his or her development not to talk of an adult, just be patient, start with those easier words like " come, go, table, you, us etc" he will pick up with time.

Thanks.

lambszy:
Good morning guys,

Please, help me to help a friend.

I have tried everything possible within my capacity to help this guy but to no avail.
My friend, is 22 and currently in one of the federal polytechnic, here in Nigeria. This guy can speak English, well but the problem is he can not read not write but only his name and Reg. No.

Last year, before first semester exam, I noticed that the guy always avoids conversation that involves reading or studying. I never saw him read, not even once. We are neighbours and friends.

I just decided to take it upon myself to find out what was wrong as I know he is a good person but hiding something. So I offered to be helping him with assignments and handout summary, to my amazement the guy find it hard to read what I smartly asked him to. He refused to admit that he can't read. probably because of shame. so I let him be.

He, then, finally, opens up to me about him not been able to read and write. Of course, this was after first semesters exam and I had to perster him. How have you been writing the exam then? I asked, he said "I submit blank paper" when the result came out he had 6 COs (carry over).

Again, I offered to help. I did all his assignments, encourage him to write something in all his test, He improved on his CA and others except for reading as I told him to at list write some thing down.even if it means coping from someone siting next to him without getting caught, I'm not encouraging exam malpractice but he needed help urgently.

Now here's my major challenge and concern, Since January this year, I have used Queen's Premier, use other English materials, vowel and consonant sound

The only thing he's been able to read are just few two letter words. Thought I was the problem, so I lied to friend who happens to be a leature that the guy needs help, and that he's finding it hard to understand his books. The lecture told the guy not to come again as the guy is still not getting it.

Please, help.... the guy want to learn but I don't know what exactly could be the problem.

Inputs please, I anticipate your wise advice.
Thanks.

@OP, please read up on dyslexia a little that might be his problem.

ruggedtimi:
You self u cannot write well ...Most of my class mates back then at the University couldn't write simple sentences and correct spellings... Nobody perfect sha

Thanks.
...but you sha get the message abi. That's the ideal idea of communication. No b so?

DMCY:


@OP, please read up on dyslexia a little that might be his problem.

Thanks.
I appreciate, I will do just that. A friend of mine suggested it to me too, talking about a learning difficulties.

oluwafreshkid:
You ever heard of dyslexia?

Yes,
Thanks.

bigtt76:
He needs to listen and watch more YouTube English Language training videos. You can search for those that will enable him read along and also get a notebook with which he can also be writing down what is being taught in the videos. That way he practices both reading comprehension and writing.

Why I asked if he was a born again is because jokes apart, they rarely want to read or study anything other than the Bible or listen to language training videos but would rather spend hours listening to their pastors and read the Bible. Not that it's not good but most times these pastors don't use the correct tenses while preaching and you latch on it. Then again the Bible (aside from the New English Version) is written in old English format.

Your friend needs to dedicate more time to this and trust me he will be better off within the shortest possible time. All the best and God bless you for assisting him.

Thanks again for your input.
You're very correct about the born again thing, listening to their pastors and the rest of it. He believes only in prayer and I have talked to him about it.

You're welcome. He needs to dedicate more time to watching English language tutoring videos.

lambszy:

Thanks again for your input.
You're very correct about the born again thing, listening to their pastors and the rest of it. He believes only in prayer and I have talked him about it.

Olu is not fair o,so u bring my matter here,don't ever come to me again,i don't need ur help,so u don't know I dey nairaland.

He's not ready to learn.

If he's not ready to learn, you're merely wasting your time.

Even those with learning disability can become professionals in their respected fields if they are dedicated.

The dude is not yet ready to sit his ass down. You can take the camel to a river, but you can't force it to drink!

If you're crushing on him, better kill that yeye crush and look for someone that will add value to your life.

This person will only bring you down!!!

My one cent!

How he take pass jamb, seems the sickness just started

Volkswagen90:
Olu is not fair o,so u bring my matter here,don't ever come to me again,i don't need ur help,so u don't know I dey nairaland.

Obakashdee:
How he take pass jamb, seems the sickness just started

Em guess the answers come score 145 by chance or luck I no know watin to call that one but em pass sha.

Somebody help am get admission for the poly wey me dey school now.

...any help wey you think say fit help am abeg just drop am. No advice too small

Obviously dyslexia.

Written English is different from spoken English.

It's a common phenomenon in Nigeria. That guy would eventually graduate with "helps" and become unemployable tomorrow or even a bad entrepreneur if he doesnt address the issue now. Now that he has opened up, his problem is half solved.


Let him get Queens premiere and brighter grammar book 1 to 4 as well as start using YouTube to learn to read and write sensibly. He could search for "reading in english for beginners", "writing in English for beginers", etc...The guy will learn how to read well within 1 year if he stays consistent and thank you for being such a good friend. A problem shared is half solved, all that remains is his own resolve to resolve the matter

By the way, I grew up in the north, speak really good English with a little trace of the northern tongue but didnt really learn to read until I was in primary 4. Afterwards, I read almost everything

oluwafreshkid:
You ever heard of dyslexia?

Exactly I feel it's a disorder. Years back I used to find it hard to comprehend numbers effectively. Until I started dealing with money. Omoh! The spirit jakpa! Glorrry!

Volkswagen90:
Olu is not fair o,so u bring my matter here,don't ever come to me again,i don't need ur help,so u don't know I dey nairaland.

This one nah weyrey. Person wey no sabi read and write. Come construct pidgin sentences. You for use pidgin dey answer exam questions nah.