Young Senegalese turn to English

English is the world’s lingua franca, but it is also spreading in the world at rates unimagined even by experts. Courtesy of the dominance of America in the world’s cultural and media landscape, young people in countries where English had minimal presence are increasingly drawn to the language.
Although Francophone countries in West Africa traditionally introduce their students to English in the early stages of their education (causing Francophone West Africans to be more proficient in English than Anglophone West Africans are in French) there is a new, never-before-seen enthusiasm to learn and speak English in Francophone West Africa.
Scores of students from Senegal write to me weekly asking for my help with English grammar. I have never understood why. This article you will read below, initially published on VOANews.com on July 26, 2016, explains the reason for the rise of interest in learning English in this Francophone country. Enjoy:
It is late afternoon in the small village of Fandene, Senegal. Students begin to arrive at the local school. They arrive on bicycles, motorbikes, and donkey carts. Under the shade of a giant baobab tree, they chat in the dusty school yard.
Lycée Fandene is a typical rural high school in Senegal. The school has no electricity. There are no glass windows, only square openings to let in light and fresh air. The students have no books. They crowd into a small classroom, their elbows touching.
Isidore Tine is the teacher. He is young, energetic and always smiling.
He leads the class singing “Clementine,” an American folk song.
Oh my darling, oh my darling
Oh my darling Clementine
Welcome to the English Club of Fandene.
Fandene is a rural village about three hours east of Senegal’s capital, Dakar. The students come here from nearby villages to practice speaking English.
The English Club of Fandene is just one of a growing number of English clubs in Senegal. With no tuition or tests, the clubs offer a low-pressure way to learn English. And, for many Senegalese, it is their only opportunity to learn English.
Tine started the English Club of Fandene three years ago. It is has grown to become one of the most active clubs in the area.
“When I came here I saw that the students they did not practice their English. And I said that creating the English club is an opportunity for me to help the students speak and practice the language, because the mastery of the language is in the speaking.”
To encourage communicative learning, Tine uses songs, games and discussions of current events.
English in Africa
Senegal is a country of 14 million people in western Africa. It is among the more peaceful, stable, and democratic countries in Africa. French is the country’s official language. Most Senegalese also speak a local African language, such as Wolof.
English is an official language in 21 African countries, mostly in the eastern part of the continent. Africans in Anglophone countries sometimes have mixed feelings about the language. On the one hand, it is a major advantage to speak the language of globalization. On the other hand, English was imposed on them by British colonialism.
Senegal was a French colony until 1960. Most Senegalese do not connect the English language to colonialism. For them, French is the language of the colonizers. French remains the language of business, government, and education in Senegal.
MouhamadouDiouf is the president of the English Teachers Association of Senegal. He says English has been “gaining ground” on French in recent years.
“I think the first influence comes from the USA as the leading country. And they see the USA as a success story and they just want to do like them.”
Diouf says American culture is widely spread in Senegal. In the 1970s and 80s, American musicians like James Brown and Michael Jackson were very popular. Today young people love rap music.
Diouf says that Senegalese are also inspired by the progress of African Americans — from slavery to the election of President Barack Obama. Many African Americans have roots in the Senegambia region of Africa. Their ancestors were captured and brought to the New World as slaves. Obama made an emotional visit to the slave port of Gorée in 2013.
Diouf says he sometimes has to remind young people that Obama is America’s president, not Senegal’s.
Challenges in education
Even with an openness toward American culture, few Senegalese can speak fluent English. English is taught as a subject in secondary school, but Senegal’s public school system is struggling.
A United Nations study says that only about 25 percent of Senegalese graduate from high school. Only about 42 percent of adults can read and write. Diouf is especially concerned about the quality of education in rural areas.
“Sometimes you have over 100 in a class, which makes it impossible to have what we call communicative activities, group work, because the noise it will bring about. The second thing is most of our schools are in very poor areas, with no access to computers, no access even to electricity, even electricity is a problem for 50 percent of our schools, so let alone having access to [the] Internet.”
Robin Hinders teaches English courses at the University of Thies. She is an English Language Fellow, supported the U.S. Department of State.
“Many times when you ask a student, ‘Why do you want to learn English?’ the first response I almost always hear is, ‘I love English! I like it because it makes me feel happy when I speak English.’”
Hinders says people on the street often approach her and want to speak English.
One of her many local friends is Faly, a tea seller at the bus station. He has taught himself basic English. Faly, who cannot walk, is happy when Hinders sits down at his table for tea.
Faly: Robin! You sit down.
Robin: Your children are happy?
Faly: Very happy
Robin: And they’re healthy?
Faly: Very healthy
Robin: Good. I’m glad.
Faly: And you?
Robin: I’m fine.
Faly: Your family?
Robin: Everybody is good.
A key to success
In addition to Hinders’ fellowship, the U.S. Department of State supports several educational exchange programs in Senegal. One program is called the Young African Leaders Initiative or YALI. The YALI program brings sub-Saharan Africans to the U.S. for leadership training. English fluency is required for all candidates.
Eran Williams is the Regional English Language Officer for the U.S. Embassy in Senegal.
“We’re bringing young African leaders from every country in Africa to the United States to study, to meet with other Africans, to meet with the president. And we’re only bringing people who speak English. So countries like Senegal, Francophone countries, need a lot more help in preparing their candidates for the YALI program.”
The YALI program is looking for students like Jean Celestinn. He is a member of the English Club of Fandene. He always sits in the front of the classroom and pays extra close to Tine’s lessons. He says English is the “passport of our future.”
“I realize that English is the one language in the world. Everywhere you go you will meet people that speak English. And if you don’t know, if you cannot speak English, you will have some problem.”
Tine closes the English lesson with a famous children’s song.
If you’re happy and you know it
Then you’ll really want to show it
If you’re happy and you know it
Clap your hands
I’m John Russell
Adam Brock wrote and reported this story from Senegal. Hai Do was the editor.