Ghanaian University Students’ Attitudes towards English

Abstract

As language of education, English is taught and is the medium of instruction at all levels of education – basic to tertiary – in Ghana. A pass in English is a necessary requirement for a student’s progression from one educational level to another. Even though there seems to be a general likeness on the part of Ghanaian students for the study of English, may be because it is the language of modernity and utility, little is known about the attitudes of Ghanaian students towards English. Using representative samples from two universities in Ghana, the University of Ghana, Legon, and the University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, this paper makes an attempt to gain insights into the needs and feelings of Ghanaian university students towards English. The paper also attempts to find out the range of factors that motivate the students to study English. This is considered necessary because learner attitudes towards a target language and its speakers as well as the use to which that language will be put play a central role in determining levels of success for the learning and acquisition of that language (McKenzie, 2008; Spolsky, 1989). The study finds that the motivations for studying English are more instrumental/utilitarian than integrative; however, students expect to see English becoming integrative in future. The paper has some implications for language policy, curriculum planning and the teaching of English in Ghana