17.3675, Books: Sociolinguistics: Williams

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LINGUIST List: Vol-17-3675. Tue Dec 12 2006. ISSN: 1068 - 4875.

Subject: 17.3675, Books: Sociolinguistics: Williams

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1)
Date: 08-Dec-2006
From: Ken Baker < StJerome at compuserve.com >
Subject: Bridges and Barriers: Williams 

	
-------------------------Message 1 ---------------------------------- 
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2006 14:24:27
From: Ken Baker < StJerome at compuserve.com >
Subject: Bridges and Barriers: Williams 
 



Title: Bridges and Barriers 
Subtitle: Language in African Education and Development 
Series Title: Encounters  

Publication Year: 2006 
Publisher: St. Jerome Publishing Ltd.
	   http://www.stjerome.co.uk
	
Author: Eddie Williams

Paperback: ISBN: 1900650975 Pages: 278 Price: U.K. £ 19.99


Abstract:

Recent decades have seen sub-Saharan Africa decline in both economic and
human terms. The rich North has responded with a barrage of well-publicized
initiatives, from pop concerts to international commitments on debt relief,
aid, trade and good governance. Among the complex of factors necessary to
sustain economic and human development, education receives little media
coverage, although it is crucial. However, education must be effective.  

This book argues that in 'Anglophone' Africa, education is not effective
because of the use of English, rather than children's first languages, both
as the medium of instruction, and also as the language in which children
are first taught to read. Research is presented from Malawi and Zambia,
countries with contrasting language policies, using evidence from tests in
English and African languages, small-group discussions and classroom
observation. The findings show that English-medium policies in Africa do
not give students any advantage in English over first-language policies,
while the use of English discriminates against girls and rural children.  

The book concludes that much education in Africa is a barrier rather than a
bridge to learning because of the prevailing language ideology, which has
resulted in massive over-estimation of the value of English. While
appropriate language policies alone will not solve education and
development difficulties in Africa, they do have a positive contribution to
make. The evidence presented here suggests they are failing to make that
contribution. 



Linguistic Field(s): Sociolinguistics

Subject Language(s): English (eng)


Written In: English  (eng)
	
See this book announcement on our website: 
http://linguistlist.org/get-book.html?BookID=22898


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