By Samira Larbie
Accra, July 2, GNA – The British Council has called for inclusive, language-responsive education policies to improve learning outcomes and ensure equitable access to quality education.
The organisation said education systems should take account of learners’ diverse linguistic backgrounds, particularly in multilingual classrooms where pupils speak different languages.
The call was contained in its updated position paper, “Language-Responsive Education: The British Council’s position on inclusive language policy and practice,” which outlines its approach to language policy in education.
It said language plays a central role in learning and that multilingual classrooms require careful decisions on the languages used for teaching and learning.
The British Council said evidence showed that language-in-education policies were most effective when supported by adequate resources, strong institutional capacity and well-trained teachers.
It stressed that it does not prescribe English-medium education, adding that language policy decisions should be made locally and reflect each country’s social, economic, political, historical and cultural context.
Instead, it said education systems should ensure learners build strong foundations in a familiar language while also developing proficiency in English, supported by trained teachers and adequate learning materials.
The British Council said that schools required appropriate teaching and learning materials, assessment systems and curriculum frameworks that recognised language as a key element of education policy.
The position paper is supported by a global literature review titled Language policy and practice: A review of the literature on English in education.
The review found that effective language policies depended on teacher proficiency, classroom pedagogy, system capacity and alignment with local linguistic and cultural contexts.
It warned that poorly planned transitions to English-medium instruction could negatively affect learning outcomes where schools and teachers lacked capacity to implement such changes.
The review also underscored the importance of strengthening English as a subject while maintaining learners’ proficiency in their first or familiar languages.
The British Council called for context-sensitive, evidence-based language policies supported by whole-system commitment to inclusive and quality education.
It said such approaches could improve learning outcomes and contribute to more effective and inclusive education systems.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Samira Larbie