Early English Education Experimentation in some Primary Schools in Benin Republic: a Hot Commodity or a Cooked Food ?

Abstract

This study is a survey on English as a Foreign Language Education in Primary Schools in Benin Republic. English was reintroduced within the primary school curriculum in Benin Republic for the second time as experimentation. The purpose of the study is to investigate opinions of primary school language instructors and challenges to the experimentation phase. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire and Focus Group Discussions with instructors involved in the program. Preliminary findings suggest that there are many challenges such as (1) Teacher proficiency and qualifications, (2) sustained motivation, (3) L1 literacy, (4) resources, and (5) curricula continuity across level. The introduction of the English language in primary schools has great potential. However, its goals need to be clearly defined, well-articulated and realistic, taking into account research findings in the area of child education. Moreover, unless the identified challenges in the present study are met, there can be no justification for extending the experimentation beyond the primary schools selected for that purpose.