TEFL blog » ESL in Africa

Two different views “from the field” today.

Firstly, have a look at T’s blog for her fascinating account of the highs and lows of volunteering as an English teacher and Development Instructor in Mozambique.

Secondly, a more lighthearted look at one blogger’s first teaching experience (in Switzerland) since securing a two-month TEFL certificate by correspondence.

Finally, and on a totally unrelated note, teaching English abroad has made it to the top of this list on CNN of the top five jobs that let you see the world. The others, incidentally, are Chef, Massage Therapist, Au Pair and Caterer.

Of the 6,912 known living languages listed in the Ethnologue, a total of 516 are classified as nearly extinct. The Ethnologue classifies a language this way when “only a few elderly speakers are still living”.

Yoruba language, spoken by the Yoruba, large ethnic group in West Africa, is not on the list, but according to Dr Frederick Fasheun, it soon could be. Dr Fasheun is the facilitator of a recent two day summit held in Nigeria to discuss the future of Yoruba language and culture. In this article in the Nigerian Tribune, he says he regrets that the Yoruba have abandoned their language in favour of English (among other languages).

He believes that it is time to teach and study Yoruba language in the country’s education system so that it does not “become vestigial and gradually go into extinction”. He also warns that Yoruba culture is being threatened in the face of a “rampaging American subculture”.

So, what, if anything, should we do to prevent Yoruba making the Ethnologue’s list? Is this an inevitable result of the globalisation of English language and American culture? Should we just accept this and watch the number of known living languages get smaller? Are we, in the English teaching profession, contributing to this? What do you think? Post a comment blow…

Here’s a question from one of our visitors, Angela:

“I was wondering if you could help me with a rough idea on how much a full>time and part-time ESL Teacher earns in South Africa.”

If you can help Angela, please post a comment below.