Between English and mother tongue: Kenya’s education language dilemma
Summary
In Kenya, many students struggle because lessons are taught mainly in English, a language they do not understand well. Some schools and colleges are now using local languages alongside English and Swahili to help students learn better and feel more included.Key Facts
- About 40% of learners worldwide are not taught in a language they fully understand; in some poorer countries, this is as high as 90%.
- Kenya’s education system formally uses mother tongues in early primary school, then switches to English and Swahili from grade 4.
- In practice, many Kenyan classrooms use a mix of languages depending on the region and students’ backgrounds.
- Using mother tongue languages in education helps students understand lessons better and improves learning outcomes.
- A technical college in Kenya uses local languages alongside English and Swahili, making students feel more comfortable and involved.
- Students who struggled with education in English-only classes found success when instruction included their mother tongue.
- UNESCO supports teaching children in languages they understand to improve literacy and education worldwide.
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