Introduction

Examples from everyday life have proven that most African students experience difficulties in understanding the language when it comes to courses given in class. African constitutions give the status of official language of expression to foreign languages. A foreign language is taught in all educational structures, from primary to higher education and understanding is a challenge. So at a time when linguistic mastery is essential to have a quality education, many pupils and students are bored because they do not understand a language that is not their own. Would they be bored if teachers explained lessons in native languages?

We will therefore successively see the factors which explain this phenomenon, and their disadvantages and we will try to propose fruitful solutions.

Factors explaining the deficiency in understanding the French language

Mastery of a working language is essential to successfully understand the work in question. If some students are good at writing, others do well at speaking. Some struggle with both levels. As a former student myself, I am very well placed to know the reasons why students struggle with the foreign language, speaking and writing combined. These problems begin from the fundamental level where the student is in no way forced to express himself in the foreign language, is not sufficiently introduced to reading and is encouraged to learn the lessons by heart without any understanding just to get the average. Also, the African education system does not promote a good understanding of the foreign language since it is based on learning by rote, that is to say, cramming lessons and reciting them in exam papers, things which undermine the understanding of the pupil or student in question.

What disadvantages can we expect when a learner does not understand what is taught in class?

What’s the point of teaching a person who doesn’t understand what you’re saying? The answer is very clear. Not mastering a language that is supposed to leave you with knowledge leads in the short term to poor understanding, then to boredom. Also, in the long term failure is most often exacerbated by definitive school dropout. Indeed, through being bored, they ended up losing patience. This is why many pupils and students are in a hurry to leave classes to return home. Others pray that there will be incessant strikes because they do not realize the importance and the stakes of the courses provided. Others are forced to abandon school because they do not enjoy understanding their teachers’ explanations. In addition, it makes school difficult and soporific for them.

Suggestions for learners and education authorities

The best way to understand and master foreign languages is to speak them daily. Move towards self-training and surround yourself with the best in the field. Don’t hesitate to ask questions to teachers both at school and outside, to learn about solutions that will be useful. A language is learned by expressing it more. The complexity of making mistakes should not be a factor preventing one from expressing oneself. Parents must also help ensure that learners can express themselves at home in foreign languages. Reading and expression are adequate solutions.

Conclusion

The authorities in charge of education must establish a library in all learning settings to provide a program of initiation to reading and expression of foreign languages on a daily and permanent basis in all educational structures to equip the learner with foreign languages.

Nelson Mandela: “A nation that reads is a winning nation”.