ERIC Number: EJ1427775
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1367-0050
EISSN: EISSN-1747-7522
Effective Bilingual Education in Francophone West Africa: Constraints and Possibilities
Mary-Claire Ball; Jasodhara Bhattacharya; Hui Zhao; Hermann Akpé; Stephanie Brogno; Kaja K. Jasinska
International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, v27 n6 p821-835 2024
Bilingual education that incorporates a local language alongside the official language has become an increasingly common approach in sub-Saharan Africa for improving literacy rates and learning outcomes. Evidence suggests that bilingual instruction is largely associated with positive learning and literacy outcomes globally. However, the adoption of bilingual education does not guarantee positive learning outcomes. This paper reviews bilingual programs in sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular focus on programs in six Francophone West African countries (Niger, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon). We identified factors critical to high-quality and effective bilingual programs. Implementation factors, such as teacher training and classroom resources, and socio-cultural factors, such as perceptions of local languages in education, constrain and contribute to the quality of bilingual education. These insights may help inform policy-makers and other stakeholders seeking to improve bilingual education programs in Francophone West Africa and other contexts.
Descriptors: Bilingual Education, French, Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Educational Quality, Foreign Countries, Bilingual Education Programs, Program Evaluation, Literacy, Outcomes of Education, Language Attitudes, Native Language, African Languages, Program Effectiveness, Educational Policy, Barriers, Sociocultural Patterns
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Cote d'Ivoire; Cameroon; Senegal; Niger; Mali; Burkina Faso
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A