The Teaching of Songs and Games to Enhance Learners' Proficiency

Senegal is a multilingual country where about 24 indigenous languages are spoken. However those national languages are not integrated into the Senegalese mainstream education. Since its independence from France in 1960 French has been the main means of instruction in the entire education system. In contrast to French learning foreign languages such as English Spanish Arabic etc. is compulsory from the first year of secondary school to the last year of high school education.Despite being one of the first advocates of the International Organization of “La Francophonie” the importance of English language in the Senegalese curriculum is visibly given priority. In fact it is chosen as the first language by most of the students in both junior and senior high school education.In order to meet the needs of all the learners in beginner classes teachers have to vary from time to time the activities they are conducting in classes. Children need to be motivated; and therefore classroom activities must be relevant and exciting. Songs and games are tasks conducted with achievable goals and elements of fun.