Rhoda addresses youth on language of instruction

Photo caption1: Dr. Rhoda Arrindell (sitting, right), with the group of young people that she addressed in Great Bay (8.13.14).

What obstacles does a child face in being taught Mathematics, Geography, Biology, and other subjects in a language that is foreign to him or her?

How is it that a Dutch technical assistant, who went to school in his country in Dutch, can function perfectly in our society, speaking and writing English fluently, and in many cases, better than someone born and bred here?

These were among the questions Dr. Rhoda Arrindell answered when she engaged a group of young (and a few not so young) St. Martiners recently regarding the language of instruction in our schools.

Research all over the world has shown that teaching children in their heritage language (or mother tongue) lays the foundation for them to learn other languages and subjects with less difficulty, thus improving their chances of success at school, she explained.

The issue of language policy is one that will form part of a more comprehensive draft Education Reform Law, which Arrindell, who is contesting the parliamentary elections of August 29, as the #14 candidate on the UP Party list, will be tabling for legislation, if elected.