THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELECTED SOCIOLINGUISTIC VARIABLES AND THE ABILITY TO READ ENGLISH AMONG UGANDAN CHILDREN.

Abstract

The language policy in the primary schools in Uganda is to use one of six official vernacular languages, or English in special cases as the sole medium of instruction in the first three years of school. English is introduced as a subject in the first year and continues as a subject for seven years of Primary School. In Primary 4, Arithmetic and Physical Education are taught in English. In Primary 5, Science, History and Art are added to the list of subjects taught in English. By the sixth year, all teaching is done in English. The official policy is not an accurate reflection of actual practice. The most serious obstacle to implementing policy is the lack of teachers trained to teach English as a subject in early primary classes, or to teach other subjects in English in the upper primary classes.