Recognizing the growing demand for French language skills in Botswana due to the country's expanding diplomatic and trade relations, the University of Botswana's Department of French introduced part-time classes in 2015. These evening courses are designed to accommodate professionals from diverse fields, offering general French (GF) instruction to support their engagement in global markets. The strong enrollment numbers in the initial sessions confirmed the perceived importance of French for Botswana residents, and this trend has continued over the years. However, despite consistently high enrollment rates, the department faces significant retention challenges. A notable proportion of learners discontinue their studies after completing A1.1 or A1.2 levels: the basic levels that do not provide sufficient proficiency for professional use. This high dropout rate limits the long-term impact of the programme in equipping professionals with functional language skills. This study employs questionnaires and semi-structured interviews to investigate the factors contributing to early withdrawals from the programme and to identify strategies for improving retention. By identifying key obstacles and developing targeted interventions, this research seeks to enhance learner progression to higher levels, ultimately ensuring that Botswana’s workforce can fully leverage French language skills in an increasingly globalized economy.

Authors:
Boiketleetso Obene Bojosi, University of Botswana, Botswana
Boingotlo Winnie Kaome, University of Botswana, Botswana
Rodah Sechele-Nthapelelang, University of Nice Cote d'Azur, France

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Posted by James Alexander Gordon

Last updated: 2023-02-23 23:45:00

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