Classroom spoken discourse and its influence on learner’s spoken and written English language in Kenyan primary schools

Abstract

English language is widely used in Kenya. It is used as a medium of instruction from primary class 4 to university (Ominde Report, 1964). It is also used as the official language alongside Kiswahili. It was given this status through the Kenya Education Commission Report of 1965 and Kenyan constitution 2010. Its use is also widespread in the operations of higher learning, Modern Technology and international communication. It is thus an important language in Kenya because in recent times, Kenya has become a centre for services like Agriculture, Trade and Technology that extend over the whole of East and Central Africa. English then plays the role of an international language. It also plays an important role in schools and in the classroom. It is an academic subject that is taught and examined at the end of both primary and secondary schools in Kenya’s education system. This paper investigates how this important subject and language is taught, acquired and learned by pupils in Kenya.