Spanish language teaching-learning in cameroonian universities: present situation and future challenges

Abstract

Spanish is one of the foreign languages included in the teaching-learning programs in the Cameroonian education system. However, in higher education, interest in that language is decreasing. In this paper, we insist on the challenges that must be urgently addressed to improve teaching-learning of Spanish language qualitatively and quantitatively of Spanish in Cameroon. Considering the difficulties such as the inadequacy between employment and training, the absence of real language laboratories and libraries, the insufficient number of teachers and the integration of other foreign languages in the training programs since the last decade, we judged it necessary to bring this reflection with the aim of giving more and more value to Hispanic studies in Cameroon. We use these obstacles as examples to emphasize the challenges that go hand in hand with the reforms of the programs, of the teaching-learning methods and of the reorganization of the Hispanic Studies departments. Finally, we underline the need for the appropriation of Spanish by Cameroonians; in other words, the authorities in charge of education must consider the Spanish language as an asset to promote, value and sell the culture and other riches of the country.