Research Article

The Challenges for Using English for Burundians: For an Effective Integration into the East African Community

Authors

  • ldephonse Horicubonye Department of English Language and Literature, University of Burundi, Bujumbura, Burundi
  • Ahishakiye Emmanuella Department of English Language and Literature, University of Burundi, Bujumbura, Burundi

Abstract

Effective communication requires social and cultural norms in addition to linguistic competence. This study explores the challenges that people who studied English in Burundi face when communicating in English. It, also, seeks to determine the causes of these challenges. To this end, people who often participate in meetings, conferences, or workshops where the working language is English were identified and given a questionnaire made of open-ended and multiple-choice questions. Results indicate that respondents do not know which elements of the language are essential for communication. They consider that the linguistic competence alone is enough for being able to communicate. For example, learners consider that being able to pronounce correctly the language and knowing the technical terms may be enough for them to communicate their ideas. It is also found out that the causes of this lack of effective communication may lie in the inadequate teaching methods adopted in Burundi. 

Article information

Journal

International Journal of Linguistics, Literature and Translation

Volume (Issue)

2 (3)

Pages

158-165

Published

2019-05-30

How to Cite

Horicubonye, ldephonse ., & Emmanuella , A. . (2019). The Challenges for Using English for Burundians: For an Effective Integration into the East African Community . International Journal of Linguistics, Literature and Translation, 2(3), 158–165. Retrieved from https://al-kindipublisher.com/index.php/ijllt/article/view/1414

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Keywords:

Effective communication, linguistic competence, English in Burundi, communication challenges, self-assessment, performance perception