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Simple, effective English teaching methods for developing countries

10 October 2008

Co-operative, participatory and active teaching and learning methods can be used to counteract under-funding in schools

Implementing simple changes in schools can help improve the quality of English teaching, says the author of a new book, ‘Teaching and Learning of English in Secondary Schools: A Zambian case study in improving quality’.

Commonwealth education consultant Dr Casmir Chanda focused on ways to improve the teaching and learning of English in secondary schools in countries where material and economic constraints are a problem.

In Zambia, where the case study was conducted, she created a model for English teachers to deliver effective lessons through offering practical teaching methods such as role play, drama, quizzes and games. The methods were based around three main principles: first, making use of pupils’ expertise as educators; second, moving towards a more flexible and participatory style; and third, maximising the use of teachers’ expertise and existing skills.

The book reviews research conducted over 20 years about Zambia’s education system, and concludes that insufficient funding due to national economic constraints has directly affected schools.

Dr Chanda’s study also offers suggestions such as reducing pressure on teachers by developing students’ skills for independent learning, and implementing efficient and sensitive ways to hold teachers accountable for students’ failure. It also suggests improving the attitude or ‘ethos’ to learning by reinforcing school values and inspiring confidence in pupils’ capacities to succeed.

The suggestions in the book, Dr Chanda said, can be achieved with just a 10 per cent increase to the national education budget.

Speaking at the book’s launch during the Commonwealth Secretariat’s celebration of World Teachers’ Day on 3 October 2008, Anderson Kaseba Chibwa, High Commissioner for Zambia to the UK, said: “A truly satisfactory solution to Zambia’s educational problems like so many of the country’s problems, appears to depend on a transformation of the economy.”

He endorsed the publication, saying, “This book is applicable to a lot of Commonwealth countries because in Zambia, and I believe in many other Commonwealth countries, there are many languages.

“When you are learning English, you are learning in your tribal context, within the national context, and now being a global community, you are learning English in a global context. So how English is taught is quite critical.” He pointed out that Zambia has 72 different linguistic groups.

Dr Henry Kaluba, Head of Education at the Secretariat, said: “I recommend this well-written, readable book to all pre-service and in-service primary and secondary educators, co-ordinators and managers of teacher resource centres, school heads, school inspectors and supervisors.”