Govt Must Develop Language Policy To Help Teaching And Learning

The Government has been advised to develop a consistent language policy to help in the teaching and learning of languages in the country.

There must also be a firm political decision to provide a clear framework for the successful implementation of such a policy.

The Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Professor D.D. Kuupole who made the call said there were a lot of inconsistencies in language policies in the country which had gone to affect the study of languages in the country.

He was giving his inaugural lecture “From the Savannah to the Coastal Lands in Search of Knowledge through the French Language: A Herd Boy’s Tale” at the UCC.

He indicated that governments over the years had failed to provide a clear focus for the teaching and learning of languages particularly the French language in the country.

He said what was disturbing was that governments had always left “safety valves” to exonerate themselves from policy failures while they did little to ensure that such policies were successfully implemented.

He said the unavailability of a policy had led to low turnout of language teachers especially French teachers at all levels of education, which had consequently led to a reduction in the quality of teaching.

Prof. Kuupole said virtually all the educational reforms in the country had failed to address the crucial need for a consistent language policy for the country.

Prof. Kuupole said considering the country’s location, in the midst of French-speaking countries, it was important to adopt a language policy especially in the teaching and learning of French to help salvage the teaching and learning of the subject.

The Vice Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyeman said she was optimistic that the construction of a language centre at the university would promote the study of languages in the country and the sub-region.