LEARNERS ’ FOREIGN LANGUAGE PREFERENCES IN THE CURRICULUM: ANALYSIS OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE POLICY IMPLEMENTATION IN ZIMBABWE’ UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish university students’ foreign language preferences. It was motivated by the observation that, in Zimbabwe learners’ foreign language preferences are not included in the curriculum. This study was guided by the pragmatist philosophy which sought what works in a given context. The research design was a linear combination of document analysis, survey and focus group discussions. Data was collected from a stratified sample of 279 adult learners at a university of technology in Zimbabwe. The study found that, Zimbabwe school curriculum is limited by the foreign language policy to offer the following foreign languages: English, French, Portuguese and Chinese mandarin. Learners’ foreign language preferences include Japanese and Chinese to facilitate trade and commerce. Zimbabwe imports computers and vehicles under the “Look East policy.” These technical appliances bring with them repair and maintenance manuals which are in Japanese or Chinese. Consumers who are illiterate in such foreign languages operate and repair them on a trial and error and trial and success basis. The utility value of foreign goods dictates the need for foreign languages in the school curriculum from primary school. Schools limit their foreign languages because there is not compulsory policy. They have no teachers for other foreign languages besides English. The study encourages foreign bilateral relations for the promotion of language teachers’ from Zimbabwe to learn foreign languages and how to teach it within the appropriate context. Foreign embassies canthe teaching of foreign languages by supplying videos which can be played and discussed in the context of the foreign culture. The few lecturers and teachers of foreign languages can be sponsored to write or translate stories from Zimbabwe’s context into any foreign language that they are competent in to enhance the utility value for foreign languages in Zimbabwe.