English in Kiribati.
English language first spoken in Kiribati in 1892 by English officials, the time when Kiribati declared as one of the colonized country of Great Britain. Officials and missionaries arrived and began to teach the local people and that also the beginning of formal education.
As of today, English is used as a official language which means it is used in offices for example in writing reports and when you communicate with your administrators. All classes are given in English especially at tertiary level, while in secondary and primary schools it is a partial English, textbooks are written in English but the teacher explain or communicate to her students using a mother tongue (dialect).
Also most of the Kiribati population use a dialect language in everyday conversation at their home or in public places and even at the offices.
However, there is one attitude I noticed that our people always mock anyone who use English and I think this has a demoralizing effect in the area of practicing English.
That is an interesting problem, dialect and English, are they conflict? One can master two different languages, which is amazing. As a native culture, dialect worth to be protected and formulated, but speaking English also shouldn't be mocked...^^
ReplyDeleteThat true my friend
ReplyDeleteI am glad to know the history. I think it is important to get more opportunities to use English. Also in Japan, we rarely have chances to speak English.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to know about English education in your country
ReplyDelete