Applied linguistics affords Linguists the opportunity of solving language related problems using various methods. In this paper, we x-ray the Nigerian University classroom situation in the teaching of the English language viz-a-viz the use of functional interactive method. Following Littlewood (1981) and Krashen (1982), we posit that the teaching and learning of the English language in the Nigerian classroom situation needs to be done in two ways, so as to aid easy acquisition of the language: provide natural discourse and the need to put learners at the core of the learning. Apart from these, the teacher's roles are highlighted as: identifying learners' strategy, teaching the standard, accentuating standard not status and providing a comprehensive input. A comprehensive blend of the learners' and teachers' roles will make interaction meaningful in the Nigerian Universities ESL classroom.