English Club Guide Book: A Contribution To Bilingualism In Gabon - Softcover

Mouleka, Fouty-Boulanga

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1466989785 ISBN 13: 9781466989788

Publisher: Trafford, 2013

Synopsis

This book will enable to link students from around the world (from French countries) by creating as many ENGLISH CLUBS as possible so that English Clubs become the accurate partner of Governement and International Education Organization promoting English. It contextualizes how English came to Gabon (History). And why is it so important to speak. It suggests a unique way to teach and learn English to both Students and teachers.

About this title

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

English Club Guide Book

A Contribution To Bilingualism In Gabon

By FOUTY-BE MOULEKA

Trafford Publishing

Copyright © 2013 FOUTY-BE MOULEKA
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-4669-8978-8

Contents

Foreword...................................................................
vii
Preface....................................................................
xi
How to use this book.......................................................
xxi
Introduction...............................................................
xxvii
PART I: THE PLACE OF ENGLISH IN GABON......................................
1
Chapter 1: The arrival of the English language.............................
3
Chapter 2: An insight of English Clubs in Gabon............................
6
Chapter 3: English and employment in Gabon.................................
16
PART II: HOW TO MANAGE AN ENGLISH CLUB.....................................
23
Chapter 4: The importance of an English club...............................
27
Chapter 5: How to be a good member in club.................................
30
Chapter 6: How to lead a language club.....................................
39
Chapter 7: The role of each member.........................................
42
Chapter 8: Basic notions...................................................
47
Chapter 9: Activities......................................................
55
Chapter 10: The Anglicist student's structure..............................
99
PART III: SPEAKING AND WRITING GOOD ENGLISH................................
105
Chapter 11: Aspects of communicative competence............................
107
Chapter 12: International Phonetic Alphabet (the IPA)......................
114
Chapter 13: The Sounds of English Vowels and Consonants....................
115
Chapter 14: Example of vowels combination pronunciations...................
117
Chapter 15: Special symbols................................................
123
Chapter 16: Pronunciation of some letters..................................
125
Chapter 17: Speaking, understanding and writing good English...............
128
BONUS......................................................................
139
Necessary vocabulary and expressions.......................................
141
List of irregular verbs....................................................
148
How to launch the activities of the English club of your school............
151
English Club Flashback from 2001 to 2012...................................
158

CHAPTER 1

The arrival of the English language

There are few articles that relate the arrival of the Englishlanguage in our country. But Dr. Steve NDINGA-KOUMBA-BINZA anauthor whose articles I used most to edify you raised this issue likeme now.

To him, "English seems to have been introduced in Gabon inthree periods", i.e colonization, evangelization and World War II.

*Colonization

As previously stated, English is among the eight languages ofcolonization ( the rest are, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian,Spanish and Portuguese) which enabled white men to settle inall part of the world by establishing navigators, traders, soldiers,settlers, bureaucrats, goods and religions from the fifteenth centuryonwards (Mc. Arthur, 1998: 36).

In Gabon the first contact was due to British imperialism andcolonial ambitions by the end of the eighteenth century. As forAfrica in general, it said to be by the fifteenth century (Dr. SteveNDINGA-KOUMBA BINZA, 2005).

In Gabon, right to the present the English presence ismanifested through the places that bear English names. Forinstance in Libreville the capital, we have London and Glass.In the Northwestern of Gabon, a town is called Coco Beach.Historically, "Glass" was King Glass' village (he was given his nameby Europeans). It "was the most important trading center in theregion. It was the head quarter for British and American tradersand after June 1842, it became the site of American protestant"(Dr.Steve NDINGA-KOUMBA BINZA, 2005). Currently, that former bigvillage is split into small areas: Nombakélé, Toulon, Baraka, Centreville, London and of course Glass itself.

*Evangelization

Undoubtedly religion played a great role in the spread ofEnglish in Gabon according to Dr. Steve NDINGA-KOUMBA BINZA.American missionaries settled there with the support of King Glassin 1842. They belonged to the American Board of Commissioners forForeign Missions (ABCFM). They started preaching the Gospel in thename of "their God". They created "churches, protestant schoolsand coined denominations as Eglise Evangélique du GABON (EEG)and that of Eglise de l'Alliance Chrétienne et missionnaire duGabon (EACMG)". Then, "they introduced modern school system,were the first English teachers taught linguistics. As linguists, theycreated a writing system in our local languages (Mpongwe, Kélé,Séké, Benga, Fang, Yipunu, etc.) Here is a list of these pioneers whospread the English language in Gabon: Rev. John Leighton Wilson(1809-1886), he founded the American Prostestant Mission of theEstuary in Gabon. He founded the Baraka church and he was itsfirst pastor. He was also among the fighters of slavery.

William Walker (1808-1896) from the ABCFM. He completed thetranslation of the Holy Bible into Mpongwe.

Robert Hamill Nassau (1835-1921), had become an expertin Benga, Galwa, Kélé and Fang languages. He was a "giftedlinguist".

Finally, James Benjamin Van Renssalaer (1814-1869) was the firstprinter in Gabon. The first works in Mpongwe were printed thanksto his support. The "evangelic movement" helped our forefathersto be able to write their native tongues and English as well aspreaching the Gospel.

*World War II

It is said that the spread of English was not yet high beforeWorld War II. So, after the war, the German colonies were given toFrance and England (the allies) as a reward for the victors.

Indeed, a treaty known as "the Prado agreement" signedbetween France and Germany delt with it. Cameroon and theNorthern Province of Gabon (Woleu-Ntem) were part of thatchange. They were given to England. But, before the war, Ntem(from a treaty signed in June 27th 1900) was German. Corisco andElobichico Islands belonged to Spain; Mbanié and Coco BeachIslands to France (from another treaty signed on March 16th 1901,between Spain, France and Germany).

There after, Ntem became French since Gabon belongedto France ("French Overseas District"). After the year 1960,Gabon remained Francophone with French as the sole officialadministrative language (see the Constitution of Gabon) whereasCameroon is bilingual with both French and English.

The pre and colonial period is also said to be responsible forthe presence of English in our native tongues (via loanwords).

CHAPTER 2

An insight of English Clubs in Gabon

If an African went to America he would say as the Rv.Martin Luther KING did during his fight for the civil Rights in America:"I have been to the mountain top" though the context here is notthe same.

The Rev. Martin Luther King's words to some extent are inharmony with what follows: America is for the majority of youngAfricans the "Promised Land". Young Africans for years now, havebeen totally convinced that outside of their respective countries,above all in Europe or in America, their dreams would becometrue within a year of their arrival. Many of them still can't see theso-called Democracy or globalization which would allow them todream of a better future on their soil. So, some are lost becausethey imagine each American as a model. As soon as they meetone, they soon strike a friendship hoping to be taken to Americaafterwards. Young girls above all are victims of this phenomenon.

As a Gabonese would do with any imported culture,adaptation is so easy. Yet, let us agree that in Gabon, thegovernment helps young people to adapt to those cultures, aboveall with the American one transmitted by English via the followingsupports: Internet, TV programs, HIP-HOP Music, etc.

*Education (the programs and Peace Corps action inEnglish clubs)

Gabon according to resent statistics from UNESCO is amongthe very first African countries in terms of academic education.One can come to the conclusion that the government is reallyaware of its citizen's education. Indeed, very interesting programssuch as Mathematics, philosophy, Engineering, computer sciencesand languages are taught in schools up to University level.

Yet, among the above mentioned programs government foryears have been in need of students who could speak severallanguages. In schools, we talk of first and second language. MainlyEnglish and Spanish have always been taught in our system; today,out of 10 students, 7 can speak fluently and even correctly Englishand sometimes both. But the question is, what for? What futureare they planning for coming generations if none of our nativelanguages is taught at University level?

Recently, they launched a program aiming at teaching thelocal languages in schools but, why have they stopped? What didthe expirement achieve? Is it really because no "Vili, no Fang" orwhatever local language linguistic book exist? We wonder.

Or, is it because those who govern share this criminal ideaof setting up a "new world order" with only one nation, onelanguage, one flag, one currency therefore, one identity! All thesequestions raise the problem of multilingualism in Gabon.

Whatever the reason may be, in Gabon, the new elites havebeen denouncing the unbalanced omnipresence of Englishas well as French in society, because they have come to realizethat, to some extent, these foreign languages are carrying withthem the supper power of the "new world order" by which othercivilizations and cultures would disappear. Let us hope that forEnglish has become Gabon second administrative language now,it will give all those who speak it an opportunity to contract a wellpaid job. It will be very interesting if every Gabonese who canspeak either of those languages has a job here in Gabon. It willenable the governement to reduce the brain drain phenomenonconsiderably. Otherwise adopting it officially in our country will beuseless.

*TV Programs

In the other hand, TV Programs are part of the governmentmistake in the educational system. A lot of American movies arebroadcast on channels. Though they are dubbed (in French), stillthe american ethics (the way people behave and dress) is oftenpicked up by those children, impacting on their behaviour morethan their mother tongues and tradition do.

Currently in Gabon, one can assuredly meet at least a personwho is able to understand even very simple sentences in Englishfrom 1st form to upper 6th form English is taught or learned. Onour channels we even have TV shows based on the promotionof English. That is how that "super powered language" easilypromotes itself.

In addition, thanks to the English clubs system, an educationalsystem coined by Peace Corps members and which we haveinherited, English is far beyond the most popularly used languageof communication even in Gabon.

*English club and the teaching of English

Peace Corps members' role (whose arrival is said to be bythe year 1993) for education in Gabon, helped the promotionof English. Indeed, those members because of difficulties ofcommunicating with local people in rural areas where they weresent would befriend local and intelligent young people whom theytaught the basic notions of the language. I was precisely 12.

For me, this historical event redefines the spread of Englishin Gabon. First, during the colonial period and then with the arrivalof the Peace Corps members (which is the most important factoras far as this book is concerned).

Providing that they would always be together and sinceyoung Gabonese adapt rapidly to any situation or new fashion,they would little by little become English speakers. And, sinceothers would often see those young translators do so, they woulddo the same. Then, speaking English in Gabon between 1998 and2005 would be the new fashion to adopt in order to be seen as amodel towards girls or male friends.

Meanwhile, with that concept the Peace Corps membersof whom some became teachers of English in schools set up a newway of teaching the language. By the year 2000, almost in eachjunior high schools of Gabon, an English club was set up by theseteachers, members of the Peace Corps.

Indeed, English clubs in schools were a good leitmotivnot only to learn English but also to make friends and organizeregional English clubs ceremonies for the end of academic year.That period was a revolutionary moment for the learning of Englishwhich can never be recaptured as we visit English clubs now. OnWednesdays, through out Gabon almost, they would attend andsupervise local English club meetings, suggesting a couple ofsongs, poems and other activities and exercises written in English.Most of them are suggested in this book.

We wish we could go back to that wonderful period. That iswhat this book exist!

In Mayumba for instance, our generation owe their wellspoken English to Mr. Peter ALEXENDER and to Mrs. Emily IBBITSwith whom we all re opened ROSA PARKS English club around theyear 2000. I was in 5ème. I was the President of the club. However,we want to be grateful to other people such as Mr. Tooks, Mrs.Monique Johnson (1993-1998), Mr. Richard Parnel, Mr. QuevainMakaya, Mr. Le BRAZZ, Mr. Marius, and many Institution such asWCS, Mayumba National Park and some local authorities such asMr. Guy MAKAYA CASTANOUL, the Mayer of Mayumba.

Each English club in Gabon bears the name of anAmerican (be he black or white) who had (might have) foughtfor black civil rights. This is a way for us to remember our history.Later on in the book, we shall present a landscape of some Englishclubs existing in Libreville and another landscape of the impact ofEnglish in our society (a study made by Dr. Steve NDINGA-KOUMBABINZA).

CHAPTER 3

English and employment in Gabon

*The link between our local languages and English:loanwords (Fang, Ilumbu, etc.)

As previously mentioned, English is of paramount importancein our country. It is not surprising to see the government adopt it assecond administrative language. In street talk, people often use someEnglish words in their various sentences. We commonly refer to it as"l'argo" (broken French). For instance you might hear a young personsay in French: Je "go" à l'église, meaning that he is going to church.

I think that sociolinguists should find out why English as alanguage as any other has a great impact in Francophonecountries such as Gabon.

Yet, some of these young people will say that English is abeautiful language to speak and hear though they can't evenbuild a single sentence.

In the other hand, we can see that such an influence doesnot date from today. We mean it is a historical phenomenon aspreviously stated. Indeed, the use of English in our society canbe "officially" traced in our native tongues. Here, is a list of someloanwords found in IPUNU, ILUMBU, OMIENE, and FANG which arethe most spoken dialects of Gabon.

Ex (in Fang): towel = (n) towel = serviette

Ex (in ILumbu) itsok = faire un plongeon dans l'eau vs it's ok!(English) = ça va!

Please read Dr. Steve NDINGA-KOUMBA-BINZA article so thatyou can have a huge number of these loanwrods. Hugues SteveNDINGA-KOUMBA-BINZA, English in French-speaking Africancountries: The Case of GABON, A Review ed. Arua, A.E., Bagwasi,M.M., Sebina, T. and Seboni, B. 2005 brillantly points them out.

Consequently, though the scientific study of English might look abit difficult according to many students' experience, it looks easy tosome of them whose native tongues are mentioned above since theyhave some ressamblance in words borrowed for years through theirancestors contact with men of religion. That's why you can meet a lotof Ipunu natives or Fang studying English in the English Departmentat Omar BONGO University. Indeed, these students are said to havebetter accents or stress than some others from other areas.

*The abundant English culture transmitted via music orCNN and BBC Broadcasts.

The continuing influx of English and its other cultural aspects isalso due to young Gabonese great interest in anglo-saxon music.

In Gabon, listening to music is the main past time. In the streetor after classes, you will meet young people with ear-phones.Believe it or not, 90 % percent of them are listening to music.

Imagine what kind of soothing music you can listen after a badday.

We value our culture, but, we are not ashamed toacknowledge that it is American music. And, American music isnot about Ikoku, Tandima or whatever genre in Gabonese music.American music is mainly about Hip Hop.

Hip Hop is what we mostly listen to in Gabon. Even parentslisten to it in their big cars while taking their children to school inthe morning or after classes. By doing so, both are getting usedto singing Joe Tomas, Beyonce, Rihanna or R.Kelly Songs whichtransmit English culture to the detriment of Gabonese music.

By the way, guess why R. Kelly was invited at the inaugurationof the special Economic Zone of NKOK in September 9th 2011?

To me, that was a way for the authorities to show howanglophile Gabonese are. Remember that during the show, theaudience knew the words of his songs though there were hardlyany teenagers at the concert.

To conclude, since having some knowledge of English is upto now one of the main skills that job seekers should have, manyGabonese listen to the BBC so as to improve their level. If French isin fact the administrative language, English is the job provider. Thatis why we want pupils in schools to cultivate it from an early ageso that they can get a job immediately in oil companies, forestry,Environment or even as English teachers as has been the case ofmany graduates from ENS or from the English Department.

Let's not forget that tourism is a sector that will soon provide justas many jobs as oil companies and forestry.

If students learn good English in English clubs, they eventuallybecome translators; therefore the tourists who are for instancevisiting our national parks will likely meet a facilitator. That is thevery reason of our setting up the future association: Central AfricaEnglish club Network (CAECN) or le Réseau des Clubs d' anglaispour un Gabon Bilingue (RCAGB). From early childhood, our dreamhas been to see Gabon become a bilingual country; with Englishas second administrative language.

Whenever we take the courage to study multilingualism inGabon, we come up to realize that it does not exist at all. Theimplementation of English including all the components; we meanthe way learners organize themselves through English clubs, isalmost unique. We think that if such an organization could be madewith the other languages and above all our native ones, we will notonly confirm the existence of multilingualism, but our languages willequally compete with English. That's why this book has been writtenmainly for the use of students who must study English by necessitynot because they want to lose their Gabonese identity.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from English Club Guide Book by FOUTY-BE MOULEKA. Copyright © 2013 FOUTY-BE MOULEKA. Excerpted by permission of Trafford Publishing.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

Edition details

• Publisher: Trafford
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1466989785
• ISBN 13: 9781466989788
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 198