Ivy Nkrumah
Educational psychology researcher and lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, and a Jacobs Foundation Research Fellow studying language of instruction and children's learning outcomes.
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APPEARANCES
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PODCASTS
Aug 4, 2026
Ivy NkrumahGUEST
What happens when children learn in a second language? Children can struggle when the language of instruction isn't their first language.
Ivy NkrumahGUEST
But according to UNESCO, 4 in every 10 students globally are told in languages with which they are not adequately familiar.
Ivy NkrumahGUEST
This mismatch between learners' home languages and the language of instruction undermines their comprehension, engagement and learning outcomes, particularly in the early years of schooling.
Ivy NkrumahGUEST
In Ghana and many other sub-Saharan African countries, language is not only an educational issue but also a matter of equity and inclusion.
Ivy NkrumahGUEST
Children who struggle to understand the language used in school are more likely to disengage from learning and may eventually drop out.