The Editor, Sir:

As we approach the period of examinations, regionally and internationally (CXC, CSEC, CAPE, GCE O' and A' Levels), I would like to draw our attention to an important point. Many lament the state of language learning and teaching in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, as evidenced in the results of the English language examinations of these different examination boards.

The Ministry of Education and Youth (MOEY) under the direction of Education Officer for Modern Languages, Mrs. Martha Corbett-Baugh, recently held a three-day residential workshop from April 2-4 at the Shaw Park Beach hotel in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, for a select number of French and Spanish teachers. The main goal was to empower them to become catalysts for effective change. All participants concurred that one of the major challenges faced by foreign language teachers in Jamaica is the students' poor understanding and mastery of English.

We laud the efforts of those who put forward different strategies to solve the seemingly perennial problem. For those who purport that students should be taught in Jamaican Creole, or Jamiekan, because it is the mother tongue of most Jamaicans, I would like to suggest that muchcaution be employed in making this approach widespread. At the end of the day, an understanding of the syntax of Jamiekan is useful, but instruction should be done in the language in which we would like our upcoming world-class professionals to interact, that is, English.

Creole uncompetitive

Educate the people! Let us not fall into the pernicious trap of educating an entire populace in Creole that then becomes uncompetitive on the global market. Haiti is our example.

Why not emulate other French West Indian islands in the Caribbean - Guadeloupe and Martinique? Former colonies of France, they have now become part of France from a political and administrative point of view. The drive to standardise Creole in these islands began by the locals in the 1980s. It is now an established reality. Books are available to learn Creole and a national examination exists for teachers who wish to teach Creole in the educational system. However, instruction in schools is not done in Creole.

French Creole is a recognised official language in France. France accepts regional linguistic diversity. Inasmuch as the everyday language amongst many in Martinique and Guadeloupe may be Creole, France sought to educate its populace. Everyone aged 40 and under in these islands has a good command of French and is able to interact with their 'brothers and sisters' in mainland France - in French. That is a good model to follow.

Let us educate the people in a language that they can use to improve themselves regionally and internationally.

I am, etc.,

DESRINE BOGLE-CAYOL

dcayol@ncu.edu.jm

President

Jamaica Association of French

Teachers (JAFT)

P.O. Box 640

Kingston 6

Via Go-Jamaica