The medium of instruction controversy: language utility or inefficiency?

Abstract

The choice of a medium of instruction, an aspect of status planning, is a sensitive, political and social matter in a multilingual setting. This paper explores the controversy about medium of instruction. A survey of attitude towards medium of instruction in the basic educational level was conducted in the six geo-political regions of Nigeria. A total of 600 teachers and non- teachers responded to a set of questionnaire. The result shows that language utility highly influences the choice and acceptability of medium of instruction; in fact, it may enhance its functionality.