Doctoral Student Receives Award To Study Tanzania's Language of Instruction Policy

Wild's project seeks to understand the intersection of the ideology and practice of Tanzania's Language of Instruction policy

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Justin Wild, a doctoral student in Counseling and Educational Psychology and Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, has received a Fulbright-Hayes Doctorial Dissertation Research Abroad Fellowship.

Wild's project seeks to understand the intersection of the ideology and practice of Tanzania's Language of Instruction policy. In October 2015 the President of Tanzania proposed changing the language of instruction in secondary schools to Kiswahili. Wild will be interviewing primary and secondary school students, parents, teachers, and school administrators in one rural village, as well as policymakers in the capital, to understand what the various ideas and practices are concerning the language change. He will also ask participants about the resources they use to learn or teach English, which still remains a vital skill for students, as college is taught in English only.

"I felt honored that I was chosen to be one of the recipients," Wild said. "I am thankful to have a strong committee supporting my research, and who helped in various requirements of the application. I know I would not have received this award without their commitment."

Wild is a double major in Education Policy Studies and Inquiry Methodology, and is only one of three I.U. Ph.D. students to receive the award.