Multilingual language policies and its implementation

SUMMARY

EXISTING KNOWLEDGE

1. Multilingual Environment: Nigeria’s linguistic diversity includes over 500 languages, posing challenges for a consistent language of instruction in education.

2. Policy on Mother Tongue Use: The National Policy on Education advocates for mother tongue instruction in early education, supporting cognitive growth and literacy; however, implementation has been limited.

3. Barriers to Policy Success: Factors like insufficient resources, lack of trained teachers, and preference for English over local languages have restricted the policy’s reach and effectiveness.

NEW INSIGHTS

1. Enhanced Literacy through Mother Tongue Instruction: Students taught in their mother tongue achieve higher literacy outcomes, especially in reading and comprehension, compared to those taught only in English.

2. Regional Discrepancies: Rural areas benefit more from mother tongue instruction, while urban areas show greater resistance, partly due to English’s role in socio-economic mobility.

3. Need for Teacher Preparedness: Effective mother tongue instruction requires trained teachers and resources, underscoring gaps in current policy support.

PUTTING RESEARCH INTO PRACTICE

1. Expand Teacher Training: Programs should equip teachers for multilingual classrooms, emphasizing both local language and English proficiency to enhance teaching.

2. Create Resources in Indigenous Languages: Textbooks and reading materials in local languages should be developed and distributed, ensuring alignment with cultural contexts.

3. Foster Community Engagement: Building support among parents and community leaders is essential to improve policy acceptance, especially where English is preferred.

REFERENCE:

Article Title: Language of instruction policy in Nigeria: Assessing implementation and literacy achievement in a multilingual environment Authors: Thelma Ebube Obiakor Journal: International Journal of Educational Development  Year: 2024