CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

          Education is as old as the existence of man on earth. The early man learnt to adapt to his social and physical environment by observation and precautious learning. Later generations were taught to cope with their environments by the process of socialization. Over the years, government has evolved national objectives to be attained through education because education has been acclaimed as the instrument for the development of a nation. It’s a tool that appears to have been utilized by developed nations to attain national development. Developing nations particularly countries in Africa have sought national development by using education to attain desired objectives in Nigeria, after over four decades of independence, the degree of illiteracy is still alarming and the standard of education is failing at an irredeemable rate. It was in view of the above that the federal government of Nigeria evolved the universal primary education (UPE) scheme 1976 and the universal basic education (UBE) in 1999 (Jomtien Conference, 1990 and Ehiametalor, 2000). Language is very important in every human interaction as the medium, of education. This explains the fact that in Nigeria, to be educated is synonymous with literacy and proficiency in English language English being the official language. French language is one of the most unique languages spoken in the world.

          It is as a medium, of communication in most African countries, especially those countries colonized by France where its spoken as the lingua franca (Tiften, 1969). French studies are multi disciplinary; however, the level of integration of the different disciplines and subject varies enormously. A period abroad is also an integral part of the vast majority of French studies, thus creating room for students to interrelate and associate with others in French speaking environment. (HEFEC, 1998). In the course of studying French language a number of problems emanate which are seen as impediment to effective learning of the concept. The inefficiency is traced to the fact that French language is not used as a mother tongue in Nigeria. As a matter of fact the French language is not widely spoken in Nigeria due to a number of difficulties. Consequently the attempt to achieve both communication and linguistic competence is not easily achieved (Abecrobe, 1956). 

          Reverend Thomas Birch free man and Mr. and Mrs. Williams de Craft introduced western education to Nigeria in 1942 later on, other missionary bodies came in and established schools mainly in the southern part of Nigeria. Commenting on the works of the early missionaries on education, Ejiogu (1986) said apart from the problem of missionary education one other problem that was pressing in the teaching and learning of French language was that of the mother tongue interference. This has been a linguistic problem.

AIMS/OBJECTIVES OF STUDY        

          The study is aimed at:

1.            Finding out the problems encountered by students in the study of French language.

2.            The problem French students encounter in learning the language and how these problems could be addressed.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS 

1.            That there is effective use of the French language as a medium of communication and instruction in college of education, it will create more interest and awareness among the students.

2.            That French students in college of education interact frequency in French language, it will improve the skills and understanding of the subjects.

3.            That there are not adequate books for the study of French language in college of education, more knowledge will be gained and more students will be interested to study the subjects.

4.            That if more teachers, are attracted to the teaching of French language, it will enhance the interest of the students in the subject and make them more proficient in the language both in the school outside the school.

SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY    

          The significance of the study lies in the fact that adequate teaching and knowledge of the French language would go a long way in helping to produce students who are proficient in the language. The use of French language as a medium, of instruction in the school will enhance the skills of the students by so doing. The findings of the project will help to guide others school which have similar problems. The importance of this research work is that, it will provide necessary ways and means in which the problems could best be tackled and providing enlightenment campaign to the public on French education and equipping them with the usefulness of French education in Nigeria.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

          For the purpose of this study, the following terms are defined thus:

Parents: the father and mother of any child.

Attitude: the opinions and feelings that you usually have about something.

Education: means formal and informal training of an individual to acquire such knowledge and abilities in such a way that a new character or mental power is achieved from such feelings.

Literate parents: parents who acquired any formal knowledge and skills under the guidance of a school.

Illiterate parents: parents who are unable to read and write.

Income: money which are received regularly for ones daily spending usually payments for one work or interest from investment.  

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