The Challenges of Effective Learning of French as a Foreign Language in an English-Speaking Environment Such As Nigeria
Abstract
This work was limited to the challenges of learning French in English-speaking countries. The work methodology was based on documents and works in French and English. In this work, we have approached the historical and sociology-linguistic situation of Nigeria.
Then we also saw that there are several reasons for learning French as an official language. One of the first reasons is in the area of relations between Nigeria and French-speaking countries. A second reason is at the geographical level where Nigeria is surrounded by French-speaking countries such as Cameroon, Niger, Chad and Benin and the fact that Nigeria is a member of regional and international organizations such as the Economic Community of the States of the West (ECOWAS),
The African Union (AU) the United Nations. In terms of the challenges of learning French, factors such as: The linguistic environment in Nigeria, the language policy of the federal government, the lack of books and materials, the ideology of Nigerians, the lack of French teachers.
attitude of the management of schools, the discouragement of learning French by parents and relatives of the learners and the lack of organization of excursions and other school activities for French students were revealed and discussed.
Ultimately this work recommended that in order for these learning challenges to be eliminated, the federal government must formulate an effective new language policy, language policy makers must carry out research on language needs, the government must grant French the same status as English, teaching and learning French must be well organized in terms of overtime then French teachers must participate in internships and seminars on teaching French as a foreign language.
CHAPTER ONE
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
Learning a foreign language is necessary because this language will allow the learner to know several aspects of the life of the people concerned. Take for example French, this language is spoken on the five continents of the world. Learning French is not a waste of time because, as nz.ambfrance / org (2016) indicates in today’s world, speaking a single foreign language is not enough; a student who speaks several languages will multiply his opportunities in the labor market both at regional and international levels.
The Challenges of Effective Learning of French as a Foreign Language in an English-Speaking Environment Such As Nigeria
The same document reveals that to learn another language is to acquire additional wealth and to open up new personal and professional horizons. Why is it necessary to learn French? Nguessan (2016: 12) lets us know that: More than 200 million people speak French on five continents. French is a great language of international communication.
It is the most widely learned foreign language after English and the ninth language in the world. French is also the second most widely taught foreign language in the world after English, and on all continents.French is a foreign language in English speaking countries such as Nigeria, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Zambia etc. It is learned at all levels namely: primary, secondary and tertiary.
But, for the moment, this language is limited because the English-speaking countries were colonized by Great Britain. Therefore, it is English that is spoken and known as the official language in these affected territories.There are several challenges to learning French in an English-speaking country.
They are: The mango of regular use of French from the oral and written point of view among learners, the government’s linguistic policy which is slow with regard to learning French, there is also the cohabitation of French with of many vernacular languages there is also the fact that French is not the language mainly used in public communications, in trade and in everyday life.
All these factors are considered as challenges for learners to be able to properly assimilate French as a foreign language. There are other challenges that come from hard to pronounce French words, and hatred for the French language.
1.2 Statement OF The Problem
An English speaking country is characterized by the full use of English which is the official language used in the community. Consequently, the French learner sees many challenges which, due to many factors, such as linguistic challenges where French coexists with other languages, in addition, learners cannot use French like English at the regular level.
There are also psychological challenges where the learners cultivate the fear of being ridiculed especially when they are in class, and also the hatred that these learners show towards French and towards the teacher.
Then on the part of the government in Nigeria for example, an English-speaking country, the government of the country gives priority to the learning of national languages and the constitution proclaiming the presence of French is too weak.
It is from this perspective that this study seeks to delve into these challenges of effectively learning French in an English-speaking country in order to raise recommendations in order to resolve these challenges of learning French on the part of learners.