An Empirical Review of English Language Teaching in Congo

Abstract

This contribution examines the pro and cons on the English language teaching practice in a non-English speaking country, Congo. It appears that English language is solely taught for examination purposes what is best summarized in terms of eye to read, think to write when the mouth remains shut. Oral communication is in a poor relation in language teaching and learning in Congo. One of the reasons is the inefficiency of the course of English phonetics and phonology at the Teachers Training College coupled with the lack of English linguistic background to prospective teachers.