French Frustrates ASMAC Anglophone Students

By Paul Ikome Manayanye (Intern)

Only 3 of the 42 permanent lecturers in the Advanced School of Mass Communication, ASMAC, are of English expression.Over the years, English-speaking students in ASMAC just like other higher education institutions in Yaounde receive lectures almost exclusively in French. Some English-speaking students have described this situation as "deplorable".

Anglophone ASMAC students complain that language is a vital tool of journalism but nothing is done for them to improve their savvy of the language they will use in their practice upon graduation. "As an Anglophone, I cannot use French jargon in the field," moans Ivo Ndang, a second year ASMAC student. "We are taught professional courses in French, which are not the same as in English. This does not help us."

Language also affects their performance in examinations. During exams, Anglophones are required to first understand questions in French before translating them into English thereby losing time. After answering questions in English, they are evaluated by lecturers who often do not master that language.

There are some, however, who can at least understand exam scripts written in English. Dr Francis Warata, French speaking lecturer and head of department of Public Relations noted that "I have no problem evaluating Anglophones. My lectures are given in French because my fluency in English is questionable."

He explains that during his lectures, Anglophones who are weak in French seek help from Francophone mates. This, according to him, is because they lack courage to ask him to elucidate whatever they did not understand.

But for Dr Warata, the problem is not about Anglophones understanding French. He says the major problem is that students are just not good enough in any of the two languages of instruction that were adopted from the colonial powers. "Anglophone students just like Francophones do not master their first language. What they write in both English and French calls for concern," he said.

Few Lecturers And Books

Until recently, ASMAC could boast of a few English-speaking lecturers of renown. Their number has drastically reduced because "most of them flew to the USA," said ASMAC Secretary General, Dr Mabou Mabou. Today, ASMAC is left only with three Anglophone lecturers.

Dr Mabou, however, explained, that they are making efforts to redress the situation. "We are gradually solving the problem by recruiting more part time Anglophone lecturers. Also, bilingual Anglophone lecturers like Dr Bikai and Prof Boyomo Assala handle some courses in English."

Close to the limited number of lecturers is the paucity of English langauge books in the library. The librarian, Mr Mbega, revealed that "about 20 percent of our books are in English and they are the most important. Interestingly, the few Anglophones in this school are the most regular in the library."

Beyond the linguistic dichotomy, there is no rancour between Francophone and Anglophone students. A second year Francophone student, Gaston Temgoua, said, "Anglophones are kind and gentle, only that a few of them usually feel frustrated and isolate themselves. I admire their determination to learn French. We often discuss, laugh and even conspire."

For Dr. Mabou, this falls within the larger dream of a harmonious and bilingual Cameroon. "Learning in French for Anglophones or in English for Francophones helps to increase bilingualism on the one hand and national integration on the other," he concludes.

Comments

[Enanga Titi]

Thank you for thinking about anglophones in that country.Maybe after the publication of this article things are going to get better in all higher institutions in Cameroon.Continue like that and God will reward your efforts.
Enanga M

[Asonglefac Nkemleke]

The situation in what is today ASMAC is not different from what it was 30 years ago. As a student of the then International Higher School of Journalism (ESIJY) (1974-1977) 95 per cent of my courses were in French. We had three English speaking lecturers, two of whom were part time: Mr. Sammy Chumfong and the late Professor Bernard Fonlon. Mr. Shu Fontem was the only school-based English speaking professional who helped guide our steps. But more than 30 years down the line, and considering the changes that have taken place in that school, there ought to be some measure of making things better not just for the English speaking students but also for the entire school. In our days, we accepted the reality because of the international character of the school: there were students from CAR, Rwanda, Togo, Chad, and Gabon...all French speaking countries. While not trying to justify the situation, I just want to point out that the school needs to do more than just say that the English speaking staff have "flown to the U.S.A." Nature does not allow for a vacuum and if the staff have left, it is the duty and responsibility of the school to replace them, not with French speaking faculty, but with English speaking professionals that are certainly not lacking in Cameroon today. We grappled with the language problem and came out on top. My recommendation to the English speaking students in the school is for them to stay focused, and make the best use of whatever resources they have in the school and around the city of Yaounde.
Asonglefac Nkemleke (Fifth batch of ESIJY).

[Asonglefac Nkemleke]

The situation in what is today ASMAC is not different from what it was 30 years ago. As a student of the then International Higher School of Journalism (ESIJY) (1974-1977) 95 per cent of my courses were in French. We had three English speaking lecturers, two of whom were part time: Mr. Sammy Chumfong and the late Professor Bernard Fonlon. Mr. Shu Fontem was the only school-based English speaking professional who helped guide our steps. But more than 30 years down the line, and considering the changes that have taken place in that school, there ought to be some measure of making things better not just for the English speaking students but also for the entire school. In our days, we accepted the reality because of the international character of the school: there were students from CAR, Rwanda, Togo, Chad, and Gabon...all French speaking countries. While not trying to justify the situation, I just want to point out that the school needs to do more than just say that the English speaking staff have "flown to the U.S.A." Nature does not allow for a vacuum and if the staff have left, it is the duty and responsibility of the school to replace them, not with French speaking faculty, but with English speaking professionals that are certainly not lacking in Cameroon today. We grappled with the language problem and came out on top. My recommendation to the English speaking students in the school is for them to stay focused, and make the best use of whatever resources they have in the school and around the city of Yaounde.
Asonglefac Nkemleke (Fifth batch of ESIJY).

[Asonglefac Nkemleke]

The situation in what is today ASMAC is not different from what it was 30 years ago. As a student of the then International Higher School of Journalism (ESIJY) (1974-1977) 95 per cent of my courses were in French. We had three English speaking lecturers, two of whom were part time: Mr. Sammy Chumfong and the late Professor Bernard Fonlon. Mr. Shu Fontem was the only school-based English speaking professional who helped guide our steps. But more than 30 years down the line, and considering the changes that have taken place in that school, there ought to be some measure of making things better not just for the English speaking students but also for the entire school. In our days, we accepted the reality because of the international character of the school: there were students from CAR, Rwanda, Togo, Chad, and Gabon...all French speaking countries. While not trying to justify the situation, I just want to point out that the school needs to do more than just say that the English speaking staff have "flown to the U.S.A." Nature does not allow for a vacuum and if the staff have left, it is the duty and responsibility of the school to replace them, not with French speaking faculty, but with English speaking professionals that are certainly not lacking in Cameroon today. We grappled with the language problem and came out on top. My recommendation to the English speaking students in the school is for them to stay focused, and make the best use of whatever resources they have in the school and around the city of Yaounde.
Asonglefac Nkemleke (Fifth batch of ESIJY).

[dango tumma]

YOU HAVE ONLY ONE OPTION, I MEAN YOU 6 .5M
AMBAZONIAN, YOU EITHER FIGHT FOR YOUR
OWN COUNTRY ,OR KEEP SILENT AND DRINK THE DREGS, AS WELL AS EAT THE CRUMPS OF FRENCHMAN YEE COUNTRY,

THE OPTION IS YOURS.
LAW NUMBER 84/01 HAVE ALREADY TOLD YOU THAT YOU PEOPLE DONT HAVE LA REPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN NATIONALITY. SOO, KEEP HAMMERING THAT BY CHANCE THINGS WILL CHNAGE IF FOR 45 YRS THEY HAVENT, ANOTHER 45 YRS THERE WILL.
REALLY?
NO WAY. YOU ARE BORN FREE, AND YOU OUGHT TO
LIVE FREE AND DIE FREE, SOO IS THE CRY FROM THE, FAKO MOUNTAIN. THOSE WHO HAVE EARS HEAR HIM THE OLD MAN WITH GRAY HAIR
IS SAYING. COMME MY CHILDREN FOLLOW ME AND LETS BOND TOGETHER AND FREE OUR SELVES.
AND HAVE HAVE RESPECT AND DIGNITY, YET
SOME HAVE EARS BUT REFUSES TO HEAR. ALWAYS
GOING TO THE FRENCH SIDE, TO LOOK FOR HAVEN ,,YOU HAVE HAVEN ON YOUR DOOR STEP , YOU ONLY NEED TO REALIZE YOURSELF SELF AND BUILD YOUR LOT. NOTHING ELSE. NO BODY WOULD GIVE YOU INDEPENDENCE IF YOU DONT FIGHT FOR.

[julius]

Mr. Tumma,

Right on point.

"AMBAZONIAN, YOU EITHER FIGHT FOR YOUR
OWN COUNTRY ,OR KEEP SILENT AND DRINK THE DREGS, AS WELL AS EAT THE CRUMPS OF FRENCHMAN YEE COUNTRY,"

Hoping and dreaming that we will ever achieve true equality and fairness in this cess pool, is just that a dream.

[Angel Tabe]

That school is not meant for
"English Speakers" - see the composition even when it was
"INTERNATIONAL". Otherwise, simple logic, or proper concern, not just the politics of a "united" Cameroon, would be expressed with the changing dynamics of over 30 years!

We were 6 out of twenty in my class, but often, after tests and exams, our classmates who referred to us as "Les Biafrais, Ces gens la" - in addition to the usual "ANGLOS" - they would be saying, "Mais les anglophones, eux is ont fait comment?" - that is, to have had good scores at the tests. Well, this is how: We studied Journalism in French, to practice in English - GENIAL. Does anyone recall perfectly bilingual news reports from abroad by Njovens Ben Berka (RIP)and Boh Herbert?

My word to those who are in it now or the future: COURAGE - YOU WILL MAKE IT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD -professionally I mean.

Thank you Post Online.