Finding freedo

m in the

textbook

margins

Angeline M. Barrett (University of Bristol) with Peter Kajoro (Aga Khan University)

Noah Mtana (University of Dodoma)Kalafunja Osaki (University of Dodoma)

Casmir Rubagumya (University of Dodoma)

BAICE Conference,Power, politics & priorities for comparative and international education

University of Bath, 8-10 September 2014

Monolingual policies, bilingual practices and the power of learning materials

PartnersUniversity of BristolTanzania Institute of Education

(Curriculum authority)University of DodomaAga Khan University, East Africa Campus

• Define the term ‘pathogen’

• Briefly explain why biologists classify living things

• Outline the differences between heterotrophic and autotrophic nutrition

Form 1, collaborative writing. Question in Form 1 Biology textbook

One day at the morning I was going to school. I saw a big rolly was coming. An old man was coming and weark outside in the road, suddenly rolly coming and accident that old man.

Secondary Education, TanzaniaCommunity schools

“English is the language of instruction that is why I used it.

And I used Kiswahili so that they can understand me better.”

(Mathematics teacher)

English immersion policy. Bilingual classroom practice

Aspirations for the textbooksLanguage accessible & language

supportive learning materialsAppropriate to syllabus and ability of Form 1Socio-culturally and ecologically relevantRepresentationAttractive, engaging

Relationship between Biology and ChemistryIn Chemistry people study chemicals and how they are prepared. The study of Biology in relation to chemistry is called Biochemistry.

 

 

Chemists use biology knowledge to make chemicals which are used by living organisms. These chemicals are medicine, insecticide, water treatment chemicals, toothpaste and cosmetics.

Activity: Writing and talking activityIn Kiswahili or English, write down the chemicals you know. Tell your friend in Kiswahili how these chemicals are made, and how they are used.

Glossary

chemicalsmedicinetoothpasteinsecticidecosmetics

kemikalidawadawa ya menosumu ya kuua waduduvipodozi

Students know many things but in Kiswahili. Mixing the two languages enables them to understand the concept better than when using the language they don’t know. (Biology teacher)

Formalizing existing practice

Where we are now

Capacity: Team at Univ. of DodomaPolitics: Who writes the textbooks?

Textbook policyMainstreaming?Language policy?