Applying Corpus Linguistics Tools in Professional Yoruba Language Teaching in Nigerian Polytechnics

Corpus linguistics offers professional language educators powerful data-driven tools for identifying authentic language patterns, designing relevant teaching materials, and evaluating learner production. This study investigates the application of corpus linguistics tools in professional Yoruba language teaching in Nigerian polytechnics, with reference to Kwara State Polytechnic Ilorin, Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti, and Yaba College of Technology Lagos. Using a mixed-methods design, data were collected through questionnaires and interviews with 40 Yoruba language lecturers and corpus linguistics specialists. The study applies corpus linguistics methodology and language pedagogy theory to evaluate the feasibility and professional value of integrating corpus tools into polytechnic Yoruba teaching practice. Existing literature on corpus linguistics in Nigerian education has focused on English language teaching, with Yoruba-medium corpus-based instruction being an almost entirely unexplored professional territory. This study fills that disciplinary gap. The research examines the availability of Yoruba language corpora suitable for teaching purposes, lecturers' digital literacy levels, and the specific instructional contexts in which corpus tools would add the greatest pedagogical value. The study further evaluates learner readiness for corpus-guided discovery learning in Yoruba language and literature courses. Findings are expected to reveal significant interest among lecturers and limited existing corpus resources specifically designed for Yoruba teaching. Recommendations will address the development of a pedagogically focused Yoruba teaching corpus and professional training for corpus-assisted instruction. Keywords: corpus linguistics, Yoruba teaching, polytechnics, professional development, language pedagogy.