National African Language Needs Assessment

NALRC Year 2000 Institute Fellows identified the following needs for specific languages:

Bambara/Fulakunda Needs

1) First year textbook and exercise book.
2) Second year textbook and exercise book.
3) Authentic videos about Bambara and Fula cultures.
4) Technology-supported exercises.
5) Listening tapes of authentic conversations.
6) Pictures illustrating cultural facts.
7) A book for reading.
8) A storybook.
9) A book of translation (English-Bambara; Bambara-English; Fulakunda-English; English-Fulakunda).

Chichewa Needs

1) There is a need for textbooks at all levels, from beginning to advanced levels.
2) The texts should be communicatively focused, and not based solely on grammar.

IsiZulu Needs

1) Textbooks (especially on developing communicative competence).
2) Audio-visual aids.
3) Cultural artifacts.
4) Dictionaries.

Kiswahili Needs

1) More video products: video clips that incorporate culture, socio-linguistic context, history, politics, health, etc.
2) Appropriate reading texts for all levels.
3) Books on tape (dramatic readings).
4) Instruction of Kiswahili through literature as a language and cultural resource.
5) Interactive CD-Rom for all levels of Kiswahili covering communicative competence in various areas.
6) Texts for specific purposes (e.g. study of African cultures, religions, business, etc.)
7) Research oriented books to equip researchers with more tools to meet their objectives.
8) Authentic materials for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year students:
-listening (audio and video tapes, news broadcasts, radio programs)
-reading (articles, stories)
*these materials may be made available in the classroom, as well as on the web.
9) Role-playing exercises in textbooks to practice the appropriate grammar and vocabulary.
10) Computer-based language lessons that accompany the texts.

Twi Needs

1) Basic texts on basic functions: greetings, self-introduction, giving directions, etc.
2) Materials for oral needs, especially listening.
3) Materials for conversational Twi.

Wolof Needs

For first year Wolof:
1) A current textbook with cultural accuracy.
2) A Wolof-English dictionary that is current.
3) Audiocassette tape packages for language labs.
4) Computer-based materials.
5) Easy access to films in Wolof or by Wolof/Senegalese cinematographers.

For all levels of Wolof:
1) Textbook based upon communicative functionality from 1st year to 3rd year.
2) Dictionary that is devoid of French influence.
3) Harmonization of the writing system across Wolof textbooks.
4) Use of authentic materials (texts, audio, etc.) for instruction.
5) Textbook with appropriate cultural representations of the target language (High Culture and popular culture)
6) Textbook with a balanced distribution of gender roles.

Yoruba Needs

1) Yoruba-English and English-Yoruba Dictionary
2) Yoruba Reference Grammar for Learners
3) Advanced Level Yoruba Textbook
4) Workbooks for the existing first and second year Yoruba textbooks
5) Web-based courses for learning Yoruba
6) Video tapes for learning Yoruba
7) CD-ROM for advanced level
8) Pocket Yoruba-English and English-Yoruba Dictionary
9) Role Play Cards for Yoruba Learners
10) Workbooks for the Yoruba Reader

Workshop/institute needs:

1) Workshop devoted to the development of K-12 African language materials, along with teaching guidelines.
2) Mini-workshop (1 day) on outreach strategies.
3) Workshop on grant proposal writing.
4) Workshop on resolution of student complaints about language classes/instructors.
5) Institute or workshop on specific teaching strategies; specifically, how to be successful language teachers in American institutions.