The University of Media, Arts and Communication (UNiMAC) will be discussing the importance of teaching and studying of Languages for sustainable development in its Inter-Faculty seminar organised by the Directorate of Research Innovations and Development (DRID).
Dr. Sampson Dodzi Fenuku, Acting Rector of University of Media Arts and Communication-Institute of Languages (UNIMAC-IL) will be speaking on the topic: “Language, Culture and Mentality; The three Dimensional Axis of Language Studies and Effective Communication.”
Speaking ahead of the event, Dr. Fenuku called on stakeholders to make learning and teaching of languages a priority as language is a “powerful tool that can unite cultures and the same time destroy cultures” therefore understanding the value of the language people speak can help them appreciate the cultures of others.
According to him, studying different International Languages help in building affinity with other people from different cultures and also help bridge Language barrier that exist between diverse cultures resulting in peaceful co-existence between and among individuals from different cultural backgrounds in the world.
He also spoke about the opportunities the study of languages offer individuals. Dr Fenuku asserted that there are so many opportunities for individuals who make conscious efforts to study other local as well as International Languages however, many have refused to tap into these opportunities. “The opportunities are there in abundance just that we refuse to see them because in our minds they are non-existence” he said, adding, that mindset does not encourage people to utilize those opportunities available for them however there are several employment opportunities for individuals who study different languages.
He was of the view that Francophones for example explore these opportunities because they make the conscious effort to travel to English speaking countries to learn the language and for that reason, they do better world wide but most Ghanaians restrict themselves to the study of just the English language and sometimes the local languages which are also not given the needed attention.
Dr. Fenuku further explained that the key players in designing school curriculum and programs must develop structures and systems that will encourage students to study different languages ” Government must make conscious efforts to build regulatory frameworks to encourage the teaching and learning of other Languages” he said, citing China and France as examples of countries that have built Confucius Institutes in different countries to encourage individuals to study their Languages, according to him, if the government uphold these initiatives “the narrative will change” and students’ desire to study languages will develop and this will be a good cause for national development.
In his concluding statement, Dr Fenuku encouraged staff and students of UniMAC as well as various stakeholders to attend the event and share ideas on the way forward in bridging language barrier both locally and internationally.
The seminar is scheduled for Friday, November 24, 2023 at 10:00 am. It will be held in the seminar room at UNiMAC-IJ’s South Legon Campus.
