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24/01/25

How language barriers are impeding science learning

Fulani girls share a textbook. Despite being in class three, these girls cannot read more than a few words in the textbook. The teacher prompts them, word by word. It is a given that learning outcomes are affected when students have to share a textbook among four students, but this is not a textbook issue. It is a language issue. Niger’s traditional primary school curriculum—in which students learn in French throughout their school careers under teachers who speak French, but not the local language—is the real issue. Photo credit: GPE/Kelley Lynch
Fulani girls from Niger sharing a textbook. According to UNESCO, 40 per cent of the global population does not have access to education in a language they speak or understand. Copyright: Kelley Lynch / GPE (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
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Season 4, Episode 54

Language plays a crucial role in education, shaping how students learn and connect with the world.
Yet, according to UNESCO, 40 per cent of the global population does not have access to education in a language they speak or understand.

This gap presents a significant barrier to effective learning, particularly in science education, where technical terms and complex concepts are often difficult to understand in unfamiliar languages.

In our first podcast episode of 2025, our reporter, Michael Kaloki, explores the importance of teaching science in local languages in Africa where multiple indigenous languages are spoken.

Adeyemi Ademowo, a Nigerian professor of social anthropology and African cultural studies at Afe Babalola University in Nigeria’s Ekiti state, wants to see children in rural areas taught in their local language.

Grace Kago, a Kenyan post-doctoral fellow in biomedical sciences at the University of Texas, says teaching science in indigenous languages can foster public trust in science and encourage community participation in scientific discussions.

How can multilingual education systems be implemented in countries with numerous languages? Algerian researcher Zehlia Babaci-Wilhite proposes some innovative solutions, including bilingual and multilingual education models.

Please tune in to the episode to find out how she suggests implementing this approach.

This podcast was supported by the Science Granting Councils Initiative which aims to strengthen the institutional capacities of 18 public science funding agencies in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Do you have any comments, questions or feedback about our podcast episodes? Let us know at [email protected]

Africa Science Focus is produced by SciDev.Net and distributed in association with your local radio station

This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.