This paper discusses the outcome of a survey research on the topic: pattern of language and communication of EAP learners in Nigerian University. Three questions guided the study; (1) what is the general pattern of the subjects’ language and communication? (2) Is the pattern tending toward conformity or derivation from the norm? (3) To what extent is the observed pattern reflecting the achievement of the 1990 COMSKIP Project? Data were derived from oral, written, formal and informal language and communication situations of the learners. The data collected were analyzed descriptively. Results revealed a general pattern of mixtures of slangs, codes switcting, codes mixing and what Olayemi (2006) refers to as new fillers e.g. “As in”, “like”. The pattern also reflects a serious influence of the GSM/SMS telecommunication device.
It appears Nigerian EAP learners are gradually losing the consciousness of the differences between formal and informal use of the language in communication, which in turn suggests they are deviating from the norm. The effectiveness of the Use of English (UOE), a baby of COMSKIP Project is therefore in question.