The Role of French Language in Education

The Role of French Language in Education: A Case Study of French Students in College of Education Ekiadolor Benin City

ABSTRACT

This research study was designed to review and assess the attitude of teachers toward students towards French Education at the College of Education Ekiadolor Benin City. This attempts to discover the various stages of studying French in secondary schools and higher institutions. The data collected and analyzed revealed that French education has a long way to go in the life of man in so many ways and has even brought out so many graduates in French. Based on these findings from the analyzed data, recommendations were made that the researcher hopes would help in giving our Nigerian children and the public a better means for studying French as a second language.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Chapter One

Introduction

Background of the study

Statement of the problem

Purpose of the study

Significance of the study

Hypothesis

Limitation of the study

Definition of terms

Chapter two

Literature review

Chapter three

Methodology

Sample of the study

Construction and development of the research instrument

Research instrument

Validity and reliability

Administration of the instrument

Chapter four

Data Analysis

Chapter five

Summary

Conclusion

Recommendation

Reference

Questionnaire

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Education is as old as the existence of man on earth. Early man adapted to his social and physical environment through observation and precautious learning. Later generations were taught to cope with their environments through socialization. Over the years, the government has evolved national objectives to be attained through education because education has been acclaimed as the instrument for the development of a nation. It’s a tool that appears to have been utilized by developed nations to attain national development. Developing nations, particularly countries in Africa, have sought national development by using education to attain desired objectives in Nigeria; after over four decades of independence, the degree of illiteracy is still alarming, and the standard of education is failing at an irredeemable rate. It was in view of the above that the federal government of Nigeria evolved the universal primary education (UPE) scheme in 1976 and the universal basic education (UBE) in 1999 (Jomtien Conference, 1990 Ehiametalor, 2000). Language is very important in every human interaction as the medium of education. This explains that in Nigeria, to be educated is synonymous with literacy and proficiency in English as the official language. French is one of the most unique languages spoken in the world.

It is a medium of communication in most African countries, especially those colonized by France, where it’s spoken as the lingua franca (Tiften, 1969). French studies are multi-disciplinary; however, the level of integration of the different disciplines and subjects varies enormously. A period abroad is also an integral part of the vast majority of French studies, thus creating room for students to interrelate and associate with others in a French-speaking environment. (HEFEC, 1998). In the course of studying the French language, a number of problems emanate, which are seen as impediments to effective learning of the concept. The inefficiency is traced to the fact that the French language is not used as a mother tongue in Nigeria. As a matter of fact, the French language is not widely spoken in Nigeria due to a number of difficulties. Consequently, the attempt to achieve communication and linguistic competence is not easily achieved (Abecrobe, 1956).

Reverend Thomas Birch, a free man, and Mr and Mrs Williams de Craft introduced western education to Nigeria in 1942. Later on, other missionary bodies came in and established schools, mainly in the southern part of Nigeria. Commenting on the works of the early missionaries on education, Ejiogu (1986) said apart from the problem of missionary education, one other problem that was pressing in the teaching and learning of the French language was that of the mother tongue interference. This has been a linguistic problem.

AIMS/OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

The study is aimed at:

1. Finding out the problems encountered by students in the study of the French language.

2. The problem French students encounter in learning the language and how these problems could be addressed.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS

1. The effective use of the French language as a medium of communication and instruction in the college of education will create more interest and awareness among the students.

2. That French students in the college of education interact frequently in the French language, which will improve their skills and understanding of the subjects.

3. If there are not adequate books for studying the French language in the college of education, more knowledge will be gained, and more students will be interested to study the subjects.

4. If more teachers are attracted to French language teaching, it will enhance the students’ interest in the subject and make them more proficient in the language both in and outside the school.

SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The significance of the study lies in the fact that adequate teaching and knowledge of the French language would go a long way in helping to produce students who are proficient in the language. The use of the French language as a medium of instruction in the school will enhance the skills of the students by so doing. The findings of the project will help to guide other schools which have similar problems. The importance of this research work is that it will provide the necessary ways and means by which the problems could best be tackled and provide an enlightenment campaign to the public on French education, equipping them with the usefulness of French education in Nigeria.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

For the purpose of this study, the following terms are defined thus:

Parents: the father and mother of any child.

Attitude: the opinions and feelings that you usually have about something.

Education: means formal and informal training of an individual to acquire such knowledge and abilities in such a way that a new character or mental power is achieved from such feelings.

Literate parents: parents who acquired any formal knowledge and skills under the guidance of a school.

Illiterate parents: parents who are unable to read and write.

Income: money received regularly for daily spending, usually payments for work or interest from investors.