Language in Schools
Languages in Ghana:
In Ghana, there are over 60 languages or dialects spoken throughout the country, nine of which are government sponsored (Akan, Dagaare/Wale, Dagbane, Dangme, Ewe, Ga, Gonja, Kasemand and Nzema Hausa). Though these nine are "government sponsored," the official language of Ghana is English.
Policies & related challenges associated with languages spoken in schools:
This difference between government sponsored languages and the official language, English, can create interesting dynamics in schools. Policy states that levels 1-3 or primary school are to be taught in the local sponsored language, while all levels past that will be taught in English (David et al, 2012). Though the first three years are taught in the local language, the material is all written in English.
This creates a sometimes difficult and challenging gap for the teachers and the students, being taught in one language and having assignments and resources written in another. This also makes it difficult when transitioning to teaching in all English once the fourth year of primary school begins. Based on the fluency of the children in our village, it was not until year six of primary school that a high enough level of communication was possible to carry on a basic conservation. This makes it hard to imagine that only English was used when teaching from year four onward. David et al. found that it many cases, English is used first, but local languages were relied heavily upon for explaining new or challenging concepts.
Even in the SS I taught in, some of the teachers used Ewe when teaching for certain concepts or instances, despite the fact that a sign hung on the wall that read "Speaking in vernacular is punishable by law." This pressure and overhanging threat has actually been found to be counterproductive to student's willingness and comfort using English (Edu-Buandoh, 2012). Ideally, students will naturally develop a desire to learn and speak English, and be in an environment where they are comfortable doing so.
In Ghana, there are over 60 languages or dialects spoken throughout the country, nine of which are government sponsored (Akan, Dagaare/Wale, Dagbane, Dangme, Ewe, Ga, Gonja, Kasemand and Nzema Hausa). Though these nine are "government sponsored," the official language of Ghana is English.
Policies & related challenges associated with languages spoken in schools:
This difference between government sponsored languages and the official language, English, can create interesting dynamics in schools. Policy states that levels 1-3 or primary school are to be taught in the local sponsored language, while all levels past that will be taught in English (David et al, 2012). Though the first three years are taught in the local language, the material is all written in English.
This creates a sometimes difficult and challenging gap for the teachers and the students, being taught in one language and having assignments and resources written in another. This also makes it difficult when transitioning to teaching in all English once the fourth year of primary school begins. Based on the fluency of the children in our village, it was not until year six of primary school that a high enough level of communication was possible to carry on a basic conservation. This makes it hard to imagine that only English was used when teaching from year four onward. David et al. found that it many cases, English is used first, but local languages were relied heavily upon for explaining new or challenging concepts.
Even in the SS I taught in, some of the teachers used Ewe when teaching for certain concepts or instances, despite the fact that a sign hung on the wall that read "Speaking in vernacular is punishable by law." This pressure and overhanging threat has actually been found to be counterproductive to student's willingness and comfort using English (Edu-Buandoh, 2012). Ideally, students will naturally develop a desire to learn and speak English, and be in an environment where they are comfortable doing so.