English language learning as a practice of freedom in Ghana -An analysis of SHS students’ views and opinions

Abstract

The lack of research exploring students’ opinions as a possible practice of freedom has created a significant gap in understanding how language education can be transformed into a more liberating and participatory process. This study was therefore undertaken to address this gap by examining the opinions of English Language Learners (ELLs) regarding the empowering role of English language learning in their academic and personal development. Anchored in the principles of critical pedagogy, the study adopts a qualitative case study focusing on Senior High School students at Sunyani Senior High School in Ghana. Data were gathered from a purposively selected sample of 90 final-year students across three classes through classroom observations and focus group interviews. The observations explored students’ language use, classroom participation, and critical engagement during English lessons, while the interviews provided data into their experiences and perceptions of English language learning as a liberatory practice. Their views were analyzed thematically, with emergent patterns coded and interpreted in alignment with the study’s research questions. The study reveals that learners perceive English language learning not merely as a pathway to academic achievement but as a transformative process that fosters self-expression, critical reflection, and social interaction. These outcomes are most evident in learning environments that are inclusive, democratic, and student-centered. Overall, the study contributes to the discourse on critical pedagogy by demonstrating how English language education can serve as a medium for empowerment and active participation in learning. The findings seek to inform teachers, curriculum designers, and policymakers seeking to reform English language education in Ghana and beyond, emphasizing its potential as a tool for personal agency, intellectual growth, and social transformation