English Second Language in Junior schools: Policy and Research

The teachers interviewed during this study were convinced that the learning of English as both Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT) and as a subject right from the Foundation Phase to higher learning is ideal. This would alleviate the language and learning challenges that English Second Language(ESL)learners could otherwise encounter in their lives. Hence all the languages a learner must learn should be introduced from kindergarten and equally promoted through high school. Mother tongue can be adequately promoted and efficiently studied as a compulsory subject from kindergarten to higher learning. This study recommends a review of language policy that first teach the children mother tongue as LOLT in the Foundation Phase and thereafter introduce a second language as LOLT at a later learning stage. It also recommends an increase participation of teachers in education policymaking processes and the intensification of teacher professional development in language teaching. Knowledge is power but language is the way. Language messed is knowledge doomed. Language and education policies must prioritise knowledge acquisition otherwise doomed to compromise the future of our children.

Autorentext

Okoye Felix Ifeanyi is a motivational speaker, writer, human right activist and an academic born in Abatete, Nigeria. He has BA in Philosophy, Honours degree in Policy and Development Studies, and Masters degree in Education and Development from University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. He is the author of three books including De Angelz DNA.