Workshop on Language, Culture and Development

[Harold F. Schiffman]

>>From the Addis Tribune:

Scholars Present their Studies

Renowned scholars and other researchers in collaboration with the
Organization for Social Science and Research in Eastern and Southern
Africa (OSSREA) presented their studies at the fourth national two-day
workshop that came to a close on Saturday. The workshop was entitled
Language, Culture and Development: Challenges and Opportunities.

Culture is understood as learned, socially transmitted heritage of
artifacts, knowledge, beliefs and values. It is a relatively stable way of
life, including the material and non-material aspects, one of the
scholars, Dr. Habtamu Wondimu, from the Addis Ababa University, said in
his presentation.

Other subjects that were highlighted by the scholars were the use of
Oromeffa in the higher domains and its implications, Amharic spelling
reform and the language and society.

The role of English in quality education in Ethiopia focus on primary
school English teachers perception of communicative approaches, was
another theme presented on the workshop by Yonas Adaye from Addis Ababa
University.

Teachers perceptions of innovative English language teaching methods such
as communicative approaches to teach English in primary schools in the
Ethiopian cultural and educational context remains the most crucial issue,
he said.

According to the study, as a socially situated activity, its success is
affected by ethical and systemic constrains, the personal characteristics
of potential adopters, the attributes of innovation, and the strategies
that are used to manage change in particular contexts. In any attempt to
improve education in general and the English language teaching in
particular in the Ethiopia context, teachers are central to sustainable
changes, Yonas added.

The workshop was held with the purpose of bringing together policy makers,
experts in the public and private sectors, but also academics and civil
society organizations. OSSREA is a membership driven organization for
social scientists, organizations and government agencies with an interest
in social science research. It was founded in Adwa, Ethiopia, in 1980 and
is currently operating in 14 Eastern and Southern African countries.
The main aim of the organization is to create an African research
tradition and to encourage interest in the study of and research in the
social sciences in the region.

http://www.addistribune.com/Archives/2003/06/13-06-03/Scholars.htm