Education Language Policy and its Implementation in Primary Schools: The Case of Wolayta Soddo
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Date
2009-10
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Addis Ababa Universiy
Abstract
The main objective of this study is to study the implementation of the
current education language policy in Wolayta Soddo p rimary schools. The
study comprises both the first and the second cycles. As a result grade 4
and grade 8 students of each cycle were chosen to p articipate in the study.
From these grades 140 students were participated. Besides 22 teachers (6
from the first and 16 from the second cycle), 10 parents and 2 education
bureau officials were also participated. Totally in this study 174 subjects
were involved.
Using questionnaire interview and observation the required data were
collected from the subjects. The collected data were analyzed using
quantitative and qualitative methods. The findings show that, classroom
language use at the first cycle is consistent to the policy whereas at the
second cycle not. Amharic and Wolaytato are the de facto mediums at the
second cycle. Both teachers and students have English [, roblem. The
methods that are used for English teaching in the first cycle do not enable
students adequate to be instructed only in English.
Except first cycle teachers, students in both cycles, second cycle teachers,
parents and education officials understood the use of Wolaytato as the
medium of instruction in a wrong way. As a result they have developed
negative attitude towards learning in Wolaytato beyond the first cycle.
They prefer English to Wolaytato as the best medium cf instruction for
success in education. However the students' achievement is not as good
as those students who learn in their mother tongue in the whole primary
education. Therefore first cycle teachers should be continuously trained in
teaching English. Learning in English should wait until students get oral
proficiency and literacy skill in English. The concerned government body
should work to change attitudes of the stake holders and motivate to
participate in the implementation.
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Keywords
The current education language policy in Wolayta Soddo p rimary schools.