Parents asked to ensure that children speak good English

An educationist has cautioned parents to ensure that their children speak English language perfectly without adulterating it with local languages.

Professor Baidoo, Dean of Faculty of Languages, University of Education, Winneba, noted that some parents ensured that their children started communicating in the English Language, so that they could be eloquent and gain confidence, but they rather ended up mixing English Language with local languages.

He noted that this was happening in places where the people could not speak English, and some parents insisted that their children should communicate in the foreign language.

Prof. Baidoo was speaking at the 13th annual national delegate’s conference of the Ghana Association of Teachers of English (GATE) at Fijai in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis.

The one week conference was held on the theme: “mitigating the challenges of education in Ghana, the role of the English language teacher”.

Prof. Baidoo suggested that children should start communicating in their local languages at home, and explained that when they start schooling they would definitely pick up the English language.

He expressed concern that the youth speak Pidgin English and other icons instead of good English.

Prof. Baidoo reminded them that the learning of subjects and courses at school revolved round English and advised students to read wide.

Mr. James Adjei, national president of the GATE, regretted that English Language teachers were relegated to the background in terms of rewarding or awarding best teachers.

He also said: “Some argue that lawyers, medical doctors and engineers work in specialized fields and should earn more than teachers, but it is the teacher who gave these specialists the knowledge and head to start”.

Mr. Adjei noted that some other countries were investing greatly in language teachers.

He noted that the whole-sale promotion of school children in public schools was contributing to poor academic standards.

Nana Kobina Nketsia, Omanhene of Essikado, asked the youth to speak good English without adulterating it with local languages.

He expressed worry that Ghanaian culture was gradually phasing out, particularly among the youth, and warned that the nation’s cultural heritage could suffer if this was not checked.