Policy processes in relation to language in Tanzania: Examining shifts in policy

The politics of globalization have played a significant role in shaping the current state of education around the world. One of the most important elements of the new global agenda involves the politics of language. In the case of the African continent and other developing nations worldwide, language policy has become one of the most contested factors linked to achieving the ‘global imperative.’ Language is particularly vital because of its purported necessity in the design of developmental initiatives leading to economic recovery. In other words, the question of language has become synonymous with the politics of modernity and progress in most developing nations. Although language is sometimes overlooked, and some may very well argue insignificant, language use within a particular nation is now perhaps the single most important factor in determining its opportunities to access external economic aid from donor institutions and industrialized countries of the West. Given this premise, this study examines language policy and the important role it plays within the classroom, as well as across the educational system. This research specifically examines education policies related to language in the education system of the East African nation of Tanzania.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educational Policy Studies

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Biswalo, Tage A.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Darder, Antonia
• Rizvi, Fazal
• Peters, Michael A.
• Ngonyani, Deo

• Education
• Globalization
• Tanzania
• Developing countries
• Language policy
• Politics of Language
• Development

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2010 Tage A. Biswalo

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/18369

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/18369