Field and river

20th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies (ICES20)
Mekelle University, Ethiopia

"Regional and Global Ethiopia - Interconnections and Identities"
1-5 October, 2018

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CAN LOCAL LANGUAGE LEARNING MATERIALS BE DEVELOPED TO IMPROVE THE LITERACY SKILLS OF YOUNG LEARNERS FOR LIFE SKILLS AND PREPARE THEM FOR PROGRESSION TO SECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION WHERE ENGLISH LANGUAGE REMAINS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION? [Abstract ID: 0403-06]

Helen PAPWORTH, Researcher

Primary schools across Ethiopia are now teaching through local languages, but do the materials used adequately support the teaching literacy and enable children to become fluent in their own languages and, ultimately, in English? To address this problem, different measures are being implemented across the regions to improve literacy skills in local languages and the English language from primary through to higher education. Learning materials are also being developed to support the teaching of literacy. This paper will look at evidence from Ethiopia and other parts of Africa where the medium of study at secondary and higher education is in English. It will identify strategies for teaching basic literacy and will focus on some of the learning materials available or being developed to support the teaching of reading.