Overview

Language is a powerful tool that shapes our identity, connects us to our culture, and allows us to understand and appreciate the diversity of human cultures. In Africa, there are over 2,000 different languages spoken, making it the most linguistically diverse continent on the planet. This creates a unique and complex environment for education, particularly for children who are in the early stages of language acquisition. The native or first language of a child plays a critical role in their cognitive development and perception of the world around them. It is through language that children learn to communicate, understand their environment, and make sense of their experiences. Children who have access to their native language during the early stages of language acquisition tend to develop stronger cognitive abilities, which can benefit their academic performance and overall well-being. However, despite the clear benefits of multilingualism and the importance of native language in child development, many education systems in Africa continue to prioritize colonial languages such as English, French, and Portuguese over indigenous languages. This results in a lack of educational resources and opportunities for children who speak their native language, which can lead to educational inequality and a disconnection from their cultural identity. In response to this, there is a growing need for multilingual education programs that value and support students' linguistic and cultural backgrounds. These programs prioritize the use of the child's native language as a means of instruction and aim to promote multilingualism as a valuable asset. They also recognize the importance of preserving indigenous languages and cultures, and work to ensure that these languages are not lost due to the dominance of colonial languages. Overall, the need for multilingual education programs in Africa is stronger than ever. By prioritizing the use of the child's native language and promoting multilingualism, these programs can support the cognitive development and academic success of children, as well as the preservation of linguistic and cultural diversity. How can we re-evaluate and re-conceptualize the way we approach and think about multilingualism in education? What can we learn from Africa's linguistic situation and apply to other multilingual regions? How can we create more inclusive and empowering educational environments that promote multilingualism as a valuable asset rather than a hindrance? These questions will be explored in this book.

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9781636072203

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"This book illustrates the strength of the bilingual education approach in different linguistic contexts, particularly in French-speaking Africa where multilingualism is a daily reality in which the French language contributes to the dynamic synergy for the development of quality education and the promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity. Two pillars of sustainable development and peace. - Zahra Kamil Ali, Permanent Representative of the International Organization of La Francophonie for the Americas. The various chapters emphatically and convincingly argue for prioritizing the lived experiences of multilingual students and for valorizing their impressive linguistic repertoires in academic settings and in society in general. These case studies not only elucidate important phenomena in various African countries, but also offer valuable models to the rest of the world. - Maya Angela Smith, Associate Professor, University of Washington. Author of Sénégalais de l'étranger This book not only stands out as a call for promoting bi/multilingualism in education but also offers great insights into the importance of languages in the education we offer our children. The chapters in the book provide evidence that children underperform in schools not because they do not have the ability to learn, but because they struggle with the languages used in school. - Teboho Moja, Professor, New York University and University of the Western Cape, South Africa A groundbreaking book that delves into the fundamental role of language in shaping our social world and our sense of identity. The authors expertly demonstrate the innate ability of human beings to learn language and the crucial role that the native or first language plays in child development, particularly in multilingual environments such as Africa. - Jane Ross, International Educator and Author of Two Centuries of French Education in New York This series of essays on the integration of indigenous languages and cultures into teaching in sub-Saharan Africa constitutes an excellent starting point for educators, researchers and policy makers reflecting on how applications and models of mother tongue and dual-language education can be applied to linguistically diverse African education contexts. 'A Bilingual Revolution for Africa', while contributing insights into multilingual education in sub-Saharan Africa, embraces the diverse and complex ways in which such an education approach actually unfolds. - Clyde Ancarno, Senior Lecturer in Applied Linguistics, King's College London The articles in this volume address, first of all, why ""first language first"" education is important. Some resistance to bi-/multilingual education is due to a lack of understanding of its importance and value. But the authors do not stop with why, they also address the how: ""I'm convinced, but how do you go about it?"" Some just do not think it can be done, and the how facet of this book gives them hope that it can be done.- Paul S. Frank, Senior Advisor, SIL LEAD It is ironic that bilingual education can be deemed revolutionary for Africa, where individual multilingualism is the norm. But in African schools, monolingualism has been not only usual, but revered as policy, if not practice. This book shining light on exceptions to that pattern is very welcome as African educators struggle to shake off the weight of school language policy and practices rooted in colonialism and persisting stubbornly to this day. - Carolyn Adger, Senior Fellow, Center for Applied Linguistics"

This book illustrates the strength of the bilingual education approach in different linguistic contexts, particularly in French-speaking Africa where multilingualism is a daily reality in which the French language contributes to the dynamic synergy for the development of quality education and the promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity. Two pillars of sustainable development and peace. - Zahra Kamil Ali, Permanent Representative of the International Organization of La Francophonie for the Americas. The various chapters emphatically and convincingly argue for prioritizing the lived experiences of multilingual students and for valorizing their impressive linguistic repertoires in academic settings and in society in general. These case studies not only elucidate important phenomena in various African countries, but also offer valuable models to the rest of the world. - Maya Angela Smith, Associate Professor, University of Washington. Author of Senegalais de l'etranger This book not only stands out as a call for promoting bi/multilingualism in education but also offers great insights into the importance of languages in the education we offer our children. The chapters in the book provide evidence that children underperform in schools not because they do not have the ability to learn, but because they struggle with the languages used in school. - Teboho Moja, Professor, New York University and University of the Western Cape, South Africa A groundbreaking book that delves into the fundamental role of language in shaping our social world and our sense of identity. The authors expertly demonstrate the innate ability of human beings to learn language and the crucial role that the native or first language plays in child development, particularly in multilingual environments such as Africa. - Jane Ross, International Educator and Author of Two Centuries of French Education in New York This series of essays on the integration of indigenous languages and cultures into teaching in sub-Saharan Africa constitutes an excellent starting point for educators, researchers and policy makers reflecting on how applications and models of mother tongue and dual-language education can be applied to linguistically diverse African education contexts. 'A Bilingual Revolution for Africa', while contributing insights into multilingual education in sub-Saharan Africa, embraces the diverse and complex ways in which such an education approach actually unfolds. - Clyde Ancarno, Senior Lecturer in Applied Linguistics, King's College London The articles in this volume address, first of all, why first language first education is important. Some resistance to bi-/multilingual education is due to a lack of understanding of its importance and value. But the authors do not stop with why, they also address the how: I'm convinced, but how do you go about it? Some just do not think it can be done, and the how facet of this book gives them hope that it can be done.- Paul S. Frank, Senior Advisor, SIL LEAD It is ironic that bilingual education can be deemed revolutionary for Africa, where individual multilingualism is the norm. But in African schools, monolingualism has been not only usual, but revered as policy, if not practice. This book shining light on exceptions to that pattern is very welcome as African educators struggle to shake off the weight of school language policy and practices rooted in colonialism and persisting stubbornly to this day. - Carolyn Adger, Senior Fellow, Center for Applied Linguistics

Author Information

Fabrice Jaumont is a French-born author and educator best known for his advocacy for dual-language bilingual education around the world. Ayé Clarisse Hager-M'Boua is a linguist and a teacher-researcher in the Department of Language Sciences & Communication at Alassane Ouattara University in the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire.

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