[lg policy] Ghana:

[Harold Schiffman]

Prioritise teaching of French in schools







 [image: Poor Teacher]
<http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/regional/artikel.php?ID=324391&mode=enlarge>

The Ghana Association of French Teachers (GAFT) on Wednesday advocated the
need for government to prioritise the teaching and learning of French
Language in schools.

It said Ghana is surrounded by three Francophone countries therefore
proficient speaking of French would boost bilateral and multi-lateral
relations and strengthen sub-regional integration for socio-economic
development.

The Association said there was therefore the need for Government to
formulate a language policy that would prioritise the teaching and learning
of French in schools, to whip up the interest of students to study the
language.

The President of GAFT, Mr. Justice Sallah, made the call at the 56th Annual
Congress of the Association held at the Archbishop Porter Girls’ Senior
High School in Takoradi.

It was on the theme: “Language Policy on the Teaching and Learning of
Foreign Languages in Ghana – Rescuing the French Language”.

It brought together French teachers across the country to take stock and
strategise the way forward for the teaching and learning of the Language.

Mr Sallah stated that although some achievements had been chalked in the
teaching and learning of French in Ghana, without a progressive language
policy that would oblige all implementers to promote the teaching and
learning of the language, the noble intention of the Association would be
fruitless.

He said the Association in its efforts to whip up the interest of students
in the language, introduced Reading Competition in French for both basic
and second cycle students last year, and assured that they would sustain
the momentum, to improve proficiency of the language among students.

The Western Regional Minister, Mr. Paul Evans Aidoo, in a speech read on
his behalf, charged French teachers to find innovative means of making the
teaching and learning of the language attractive to students.

He said Government attached great importance to the teaching and learning
of French, and that the language had been listed among ‘group one” subjects
alongside Mathematics, English and Science.

He announced that the government has provided a 60 per cent quota
allocation of study-leave-with-pay for teachers who study French at the
tertiary level up to the Post-graduate level, and encouraged French
teachers to take advantage of the opportunity to improve upon their
competencies.

“I strongly believe that a policy to make the study of French examinable
and compulsory at the basic and secondary levels should be given serious
attention by curriculum developers,” he noted.

The Minister observed that proficient speaking of French would facilitate
the integration of the sub-region and make people competitive in the global
job market, especially as the world had become a global village.

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/regional/artikel.php?ID=324391

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