A Comparative Study on Students Immersion Programme: A Case of the Nigerian French Language Village and Institut Universitaire Panafricain (IUP) Porto-Novo, Benin Republic

Abstract

This study addresses the effectiveness and impact of immersion programmes at two distinct French Language Institutions: the NFLV in Badagry, Lagos Nigeria and the IUP in Porto Novo, Benin Republic. The problem under investigation is the comparative effectiveness of the immersion programme offered by NFLV and IUP. Specifically, the study identified and evaluated differences in programme design, pedagogical strategies, students’ outcomes, and the level of availability of human and material resources between these two Institutions. The study used cluster sampling design to select 100 students who served as participants for the study. Descriptive survey design was adopted and a well-structured questionnaire was the main instrument used for collecting data in the course of the study. The data collected was analysed using simple percentages, mean/standard deviation descriptive statistical tools and independent t-test for significance difference between two means was equally tested. The result showed that the Human and Material resources for immersion programmes in the NFLV and IUP is moderate. This is because of the grand mean scores of 2.96 and 3.14 are within the mean range interpretation of moderate high and are above the criterion mean of 2.50 for a four point likert scale rating. Although, better in IUP Porto Novo, since the grand mean of 3.14 is greater than 2.96 which represents NFLV. The programme design, pedagogical strategies, students’ outcomes were found to be better in IUP since their environment is a naturally francophone country, which provides a more immersive linguistic experience. Independent t-test for difference between means led to upholding of the null hypothesis that there is no significant difference between the effectiveness of NFLV and IUP centres for immersion programme. The study recommended inter alia that; leveraging on technology can enhance language learning. The NFLV should invest in digital resources such as language learning apps, virtual reality experiences, and online French speaking forum to complement traditional teaching methods.

Country : Nigeria

1 Eki Margaret Vincent2 Agboloh Elvis Tataw

  1. Department of French, School of Secondary Education, Language Programme, Cross River State College of Education, Akamkpa, Nigeria
  2. Department of French, School of Secondary Education, Language Programme, Cross River State College of Education, Akamkpa, Nigeria

IRJIET, Volume 8, Issue 8, August 2024 pp. 128-137

doi.org/10.47001/IRJIET/2024.808015

References

  1. Ade, O. S. (1996) Welcome address on the occasion of the visit of Heads of Dept. French for COEs at the NFLV. Ajara, Badagry, Lagos.
  2. Alabi, Jok (2003). General presentation of French Language Immersion Programme for Colleges of Education meeting with HODs at NFLV. Ajara, Badagry, Lagos.
  3. Association for Language Immersion Learning: what impact does it have? https://www.all-language.org.uk>
  4. Gbenu, J. (2012). State of Teacher Quality in Lagos State Senior Secondary Schools, Nigeria: Implications for Educational Planning. Online Journal of Educational Research, 1, 125-131.
  5. Ekundayo, H. T. and Alonge, H.O. (2012). Human and Material Resources as Correlates of academic performance of private and public secondary school students in Ondo State, Nigeria. European Scientific Journal, May vol, 8 No.10.
  6. Flavia C. Peréa, (2008) Language Acculturation, and Academic Performance among Children of Immigrant Families: A review of the literature: Post-Doctoral Research Scholar, the Wellesley centres for women, Wellesley College.
  7. Faculty of Life Sciences Sari branch, Islamic Azad University Sari, Sari Iran. Idosi Publications 2012.
  8. Geneses F. (2007). Learning through two languages: Studies of Immersion and Bilingual children. Cambridge, Mass: Newburry House Publishers.
  9. Institut Universitaire Panafricain. http://iup-universite.com
  10. Jaja, E. K, (2023). Evaluating the availability and the adequacy of Language training resources: The case of the Nigeria French Language Village immersion programme. Cascade, Journal of Department of French and International studiesvol, 1, issues1, pp:1-9.
  11. Kola, C. (2013). French Language Village: A Choice for appropriate Language Immersion Programme. Being paper presented at the HODs meeting, Nigeria French Language Village, Agara, Badagry.
  12. Lapkin, S. (2008) Postsecondary French as a second language students learn the grammatical concept of voice www.researchgate.net
  13. Niebler Mary (2018). Significance of Immersion Programs. Proceedings: Global Voices on the University of Dayton Campus. https://ecommons.udayton.edu/global_voices/18
  14. Our History, the Nigerian French Language Village. Https://frenchvillage.edu.ng>page
  15. Shaban Marimani-Varandi (2012).State of the Art: Middle East Journal of Scientific Research Immersion Programme.
  16. Sloan (2012) Multi-Lingualism means Business. Cambridge University Press.
  17. Swain and Lipkin (2012) Evaluating Bilingual Education. A Canadian case study. Clevedon, Uk: Multilingual matters. Universite.com. Free-apply/com>…>Benin>Porto-Novo IUP-Universite.com. Free-apply/com>…>Benin>Porto-Novo.