Study of English increasing in Mauritania
2008-10-06
Over the past decade, Mauritanians have shown an increasing interest in learning English. In acknowledgment of the trend, the government has introduced English language classes earlier in school.
By Mohamed Yahya Ould Abdel Wedoud for Magharebia in Nouakchott – 06/10/08
 [Mohamed Yahya Ould Abdel Wedoud] Professor Abdelkader Jawara of Nouakchott University says interest in English is on the rise in Mauritania. |
In recent years, more and more Mauritanians show interest in learning English. People both young and old view it as the world's leading language and the key to navigating a globalised world. Recognising the trend, the government undertook a series of educational reforms in 1990 that included the decision to teach English from the first year of preparatory school instead of high school. Some 1,500 English language teachers were hired to accommodate the changes.
The study of English has grown in the years since reforms began, especially in the College of Arts at the University of Nouakchott.
"Teaching English in the first year of preparatory school as part of the educational sector reform has contributed to the discovery of this scientific language by students," said history teacher Abd Ould Salik. "This has led some students to decide to study academic subjects at university in English."
Many students in the College of Arts joined the English Department, saying that they should keep abreast with the times.
"The reason behind the increasing interest in this language is its suitability to the requirements of the labour market on the one hand and globalisation on the other," said Professor Abdelkader Jawara, head of Nouakchott University's English department. "Some students have failed in Arabic and French and have found themselves in English."
In general, the reasons behind learning English in this francophone Arab country differ from one student to another. Some study it to become teachers of a language they love, while others study it to discover the multi-faceted world of "Uncle Sam". Others dream of becoming a link between the West and the East.
Mohammed, a peace activist, said that there is an "urgent need to learn foreign languages, especially English, not just for the requirements of the labour market, but also in the service of humanity which is divided by religions and reactionary cultures".
"There is no co-existence without understanding," he said. "There is no understanding without dialogue, and there is no dialogue without language."
According to Eil Salem, a businessman who started learning English two years ago, the study has become a hobby. "I love this language a lot, and I hope that one day I'll master speaking it," he said. "I feel it is the tongue of the entire world."
The number of private schools and institutes that teach English has risen considerably to accommodate the needs of students. In the meantime, other people, mainly small traders and craftsmen, decide to take the easy way and spend time with books that promise readers to "learn English in five days without a teacher".
"All the learning techniques seem to be traditional and need to be developed," said Aali, an education manager in a private institute in the capital. "There is an urgent need for an Anglophone environment so that students may practice speaking English."
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Diallo Posted 2008-10-06
Good evening, I am happy to see my teacher, Professor Jawara, on your website. He is the greatest man in Mauritania, especially with regards to higher education. I love him so much. Professor Jawara has done so much for the teaching of English in Mauritania that he should get an award!
Mouna Posted 2008-10-07
I 'm more than glad to see the picture of our great professor Cheik Abdel Kader Jawara on your website. All the students of English Department will be happy to such article which reflects the reality in the university. English is the key of the world of today, it is the fact that everybody realize here in Mauritania and work for that.
Salka Posted 2008-10-07
Most Mauritanians are getting crazy in learning English language, all people wanna speak it as quick as possible.But there are many problems that are facing learners such as the lack of environment and modern methods that can accommodate the rising needs of students. Go on you will speak it, many Blairs are emerging in Mauritania these days.
Fatimetou Posted 2008-10-07
Great, Great, Great I can't believe it!! this is Prof Jawara who taught me English in the early of 1980's in Nouakchott. This man is not only competent teacher but also a successful comedian..my class and I were enjoyed by prof Jawara. He has facsinating ability of speaking English , French and even Arabic. Many students say he speaks also Poualar, Souneké and Walof. I 'm sure he speaks Hannaya moe than fluently. A linguist like him should be rewarded by the leadership of the country.
enseignant.. Posted 2008-10-07
This man is a miracle when it comes to British and American English.
Ahmed Posted 2008-10-07
It is Jawara, the master of English community in Mauritania. I think that he is the first speaker of English on this land. couragggggggggggggggggge
Diop Posted 2008-10-07
Bravo Jawara, I wanna speak English as much you do. My English is suffocated by the hostile enviroment, while you are not. How Can I Improve my langauge to be become like yours?????????????????????????????????????????
ZEINBE Posted 2008-10-07
I like English very welllllllllllllllllllllll.
saidani miloudi Posted 2008-10-08
IT SEEMS THAT THIS ARTICLE IS PLAYING THE ROLE OF THE CHEESE LAUGHING COW ADVERTISING THE PREDOMINANCE OF UNCLE SAM'S LANGUAGE , ENGLISH ,THE LANGUAGE OF THE COMMONWEALTH COLONISING COUTRIES.ARABIC THEN IS THE LANGAGE OF THE POOR ,THE GULLIBLE UNDERDOGS MAJORITY IN MAURITANIA AND THE ARAB WORLD.ANGLICANISM IS A KIND OF HIDDEN RACISM AS WELL AS FRANCOPHOBISM.
Sean W. Posted 2008-10-09
English seems to put non English speakers of different mother tongues on a more equal footing. And because there are so many people in different cultures who speak English as either a first or second language, expressing one's self in English gives your opinions a wider audience. After civil strife like what happened in Georgia, more bloggers in the region began posting more in English to get their side of the story out. I have heard that in societies like Saudi Arabia, the English blogging sites are on average more secular, and less conservative than the average Arabian blog from the kingdom (or Saudi expats). It is thought that using English adds a bit of distance between a person's ideas and community members who might take offense. The future of English will become strongly directed by second language speakers rather than traditional anglophone nations. It is not that the US and other industrialized anglophone countries will stop being influential but much of the world's global culture is going to be created and consumed by "English as a second language" speakers. This may actually make English a little more standardized, as confusing turns of phrase and obscure Latin grammar rules which few non-native English speakers use become less common. But then, since English absorbs content from other languages very easily, it will likely remain a rich language.
saidani miloudi Posted 2008-10-12
"HE WHO LEARNS THE LANGUAGE OF A COMMUNITY WILL BE SAFE FROM THEIR EVIL AND TREACHEROUS CONSPIRACIES " SAID THE PROPHET MOHAMED (PBUH) therefore the aim of foreign lge learning is not lucrative nor is it a globalisation urge as pretends professor ABDELKADER JAWARA from Nouakchut. I totally disagree with Mr Sean W.'s point of view. Respectfully saidani miloudi Teacher of English KINGDOM OF MOROCCO
Mariam Posted 2008-10-14
I am happy to read this article, dealing with leanring English language in Mauritania, My happiness has increased when I saw the picture of our dear, great professor Abdel Kader Jawara that we all respect so much. I think that you should have given Professor Jawara more time and space.Wow, he 's a lot of things to be said in this issue. Anyway you are thanked so so so so so much for talking to him.
Binta Posted 2008-10-14
Studying English today is a must.I know that Islam calls for learning languages in general , as brother Milloudi quoted above, it depends on the necessity. All people need to learn English nowadays not only to be safe but also to profit economically. Thanks to the colleagues above writing from Mauritania and who appreciated the performance of Professor Abdel Kader Jawara. he inslunced so many students who work hard to be like him, in terms of his miraculous influency and hardworking. The Millitary Council governing Mauritania should have appointed him as a minister of Education. He deserves morrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrre
lebjawi Posted 2008-10-19
We Mauritanians like English a thousand times more than we like French. French does absolutely nothing for us. On the contrary, they tried to destabilise us and even cut us apart. That said, I would like to say, “Long live English in Mauritania!”
Patricia Covert Posted 2008-10-28
I am very pleased to see Professor Jawara in the news. I had the very great pleasure of conducting a class in cross-cultural communications for his advanced students last year and found his many students to be exceptionally well versed in the English language with the added bonus of a very nuanced English - a strong indication that Professor Jawara is doing an excellent job. Once again to you Professor Jawara and to your exceptional students, congratulations on a job well done!
Justin Posted 2008-12-05
Hello, I'm an American interested in teaching English in Mauritania. I would be especially interested in living and teaching in the country, rather than in a large city. I'm a 26 year old, male university graduate. I'm not interested in earning money, just enough to pay for food and shelter. My main goals are to experience Mauritanian culture and to master Arabic. Would I be well received in Mauritania or do Mauritanian's already have all the English teachers they need? If you have any advice or information, thank you- Justin
NIANG MARIEM Posted 2009-01-10
I really can't express the feeling I had when I saw this great man's picture! Professor Diawara is the teacher whose students enjoy the classes and have a great respect for. The writer of this article did a good job for when talking about learning English in Mauritania, Mr Abdelkader Diawara is the right person to interview. I swear if we have 10 teachers like him in our country, Mauritania would be the best English speaking country as a second language! He has been a kind teacher and head of the English departement. As some commentators have said, deserves to be given a higher position in the field of Education since am sure it will be a nice idea. By the way, i thank the magharebia.com staff, it is a good thing giving people the opportunity to exchange and discuss important issues. To people who have the dream of learning English, specially my compatriots, Mauritanians, I advise them to do so, they won't regret. Am nice to discover this site and my best regards to all.
Thomas Posted 2009-03-25
Hi, I am a qualified ESL instructor. I am currently looking at teaching opportunities in Mauritania, but I'm struggling to find any references as to exactly where I should go to find out more. Can anyone perhaps assist me in finding a school or language institute that will be able to give me more information. I would appreciate any assistance, Thank you
ريتا Posted 2009-06-17
Hi. I am very happy for what I hear about this great teacher. I hope to become like him and meet him because I love English so much.
HASSAN BOUADDI Posted 2010-02-10
hi I am a moroccan english teacher and i want to carry on my studies in your country to enrich my knowledge and exchange information with others. I HAVE MY BA IN ENGLISH FROM A MOROCCAN UNIVERSITY; I am waiting your answer
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