Na Nga Def, Sumole or How are You? : A Field Study Regarding Language of Instruction in the Gambia 

Abstract: A field study was conducted in order to enquire which languages the teachers and the students were using, both during lessons and on breaks, and if and how several languages were used to instruct. Since colonialism, the  Gambia has experienced many European influences, which has led to English as the official language and also the language of instruction. This means that the teachers have to teach in a language which is not their own, nor their students’ native language. The phenomenon is called submersion, which has been proved to be a less successive practice. Hence, the government of today is struggling against many obstacles in order to meet the Education for All-policy, and ensure high quality education in the Gambia. However, the low achievements among the students, should not be considered solely an effect of the language of instruction, but also the methods used for teaching.