International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue III, March 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

The use of English as a Language and Medium of Instruction in Higher Learning Institutions: A Case of one Private University in Tanzania

Mary Atanas Mosha (PhD)
College of Education, University of Bagamoyo, P.O BOX 31285, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Abstract: – This paper examined the use of English as a language and medium of instruction at the University of Bagamoyo in Tanzania. The study applied case study design. It was guided by four research questions. Mixed approaches were utilized. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 60 students from three Colleges (College of Law, College of Education, and College of Science). Five lecturers teaching at the Colleges were included in the study. The study had a sample of 65 people. Interview guides and questionnaires were used to collect data from the students and the lecturers.
Results from the study showed that students had difficulties in understanding the content presented in English, the medium of instruction at the three Colleges. The problem was partly contributed by difficulty English terminologies and students’ poor English background from lower levels (primary to secondary schools). Additionally, students were not confident and competent in using English in classroom discussions as well as communicating to each other and other staff outside classrooms. Most of the time students used Kiswahili because it was found easier and familiar compare to English on one hand; on the other hand; some of the lecturers used difficulty vocabularies and broken English that hindered students understanding of the content taught. However, findings from lecturers indicated that students had minimal English vocabulary and their English grammar was poor. In addition to that, students’ level of the English language reached before entry into University was found low. Kiswahili was found a viable alternative to the English medium because it would contribute to students’ high performance at the institution. Moreover, Kiswahili language was found simple and understandable to all students selected in the study. Despite the fact that Kiswahili was suggested to be used as a medium of instruction there were some of the students who thought that it would be difficult to translate and explain English concepts in all subjects in Kiswahili. The fact that one can understand better when taught in his/her language, and there had been long debates on language of instruction in Tanzania, there is a need for the government to rethink about the use of its own national language (Kiswahili) to be medium of instruction from nursery schools to tertiary education to minimize the problem.

Keywords: Policy, performance, instruction, education, communicative approach.