Group seeks goverment collaboration to address learning deficiencies

The pioneer President of the International Association of Language Educators (IALE), Prof Yetunde Ajibade of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife has canvassed a renewed collaboration with the government to address the persistent failure of secondary school students in public examinations as well as deficiencies in language learning.
 
According to her, poor language learning and teaching was responsible for deficiencies in both oral and written use of not only the lingua franca, but also of the indigenous and emerging international languages.
 
Ajibade listed the goals of the organisation to include positive contributions to theory and practice of language education globally; providing services to teachers at various educational tiers that will promote effective teaching and learning of language; promoting the professional development of language education scholars and practitioners as well as providing technical assistance on language related matters to government and corporate bodies.

The president noted that any attempt made in societies without recourse to language pedagogy is an exercise in futility, adding, “this is the main reason why the problem of language teaching and learning activities in educational institutions right from pre-primary to tertiary institutions remains intractable.

On her vision for the association, Prof Ajibade said, “In the next five years, I plan to impact learners at all educational levels on several continents.