Should Creole replace French in Haitian classrooms? While French culture plays a pivotal role in defining contemporary Haiti, only a small percentage of Haitians can speak proper French; however, Haitian administrators continue to push for schools to teach entirely in French. Administrators deem Creole unfit for classrooms, and identify French as the most effective language for Haiti’s future workers.
Proponents for French based schooling argue that the benefits of bilingualism, such as improved job opportunities, outweigh the difficulties Haitian students face while mastering the language. On the other side, many Haitians who disapprove of the language requirement in schools argue that children learn most effectively when taught in their vernacular. Opponents of a strictly French curriculum push for a bilingual approach to teaching (where students are taught French, but instructed in Creole until they become proficient in the former).
To me, the most productive teaching method is a bilingual curriculum that focuses on Creole and slowly incorporates French as students advance into secondary school. This eases the language transition for students and maintains an appreciation for the native Creole. Haiti’s language controversy is a clear example of France’s deeply rooted presence in this ex-colony. The fact that a number of administrators see French as the language of success for Haitians over Creole reveals the cultural capital of Frenchess in Haiti. The question remains, how can Haiti increase its cultural capital so that Creole can one day be deemed a language of success?
Great comments! Here at Duke Jacques Pierre, who teaches Haitian Creole, is a strong advocate of incorporating the language into education and into government. He wrote an open letter to the new president Michel Martelly requesting that he give his speeches in Creole, for instance.