Teaching and Learning of English Language by the French University Students In Porto-Novo, Benin Republic

The focus of this study was to investigate the impediments to the effective teaching and learning of English language by the French University Students in Porto Novo, the Republic of Benin. The study adopted survey research type. The findings revealed that environment and background of the students constituted major hindrance for effective teaching and learning of English. Other problems include lack of qualified English teachers as well as bad method of teaching coupled with mother- tongue interference, while governmental and parental factors were regarded as purely being influenced by French colonial masters’ policy of Assimilation theory. Based on the findings and conclusion, it was recommended that the government of Francophone countries need to integrate themselves with other countries of the world that use English language since the language is globally accepted as the world language. More experienced and qualified English teachers should be employed, and more English lesson periods be put on schools’ time table. Encouragement of “Anglo-francophone” students’ interactions via excursions be effected to enhance the understanding of English / French intelligibility across boundaries.

Keywords: Use of English language, French university students, Teaching and learning and Anglo- Francophone.