Authors : John Pahoni Stevens; Abu Bakarr Sheriff

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 7 - July

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/2u4k4vdm

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/p3k7wwt4

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25jul1567

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Note : Google Scholar may take 30 to 40 days to display the article.

Abstract : This study investigates the impact of multilingualism on English language learners cognitive processes and language development at both Njala University and Eastern Technical University in Sierra Leone. The study mainly examines the impact of varying degrees of English language competencies and proficiencies in multilingual environments on cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and problem-solving, as well as the overall linguistic growth of university learners. Employing a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 1,000 respondents through questionnaires, in-depth interviews, focus groups, and classroom observations to collect data from students. The findings revealed that multilingualism significantly influences English language proficiency, with both positive and negative effects. The study highlighted the role of multilingualism in enhancing cognitive skills and language acquisition, while also identifying challenges such as language interference and limited exposure to English. Recommendations for educational policies and teaching strategies were provided to mitigate the challenges and leverage the benefits of multilingualism in enhancing English language learning and acquisition.

Keywords : Multilingualism, English Proficiency and Second Language.

References :

1. Chiswick, B. R. & Miller, P. W. (2007) The Economics of Language, Rout ledge, London
2. Cummins, J. (2000). Language, power and pedagogy: Bilingual children in the crossfire. Multilingual Matters.
3. Fatiloro, A. (2015). Challenges of teaching English language as a second language in Sierra Leone. American Journal of Literature Studies, 3(2), 45-63.
4. Herdina, P., & Jessner, U. (2002). A dynamic model of multilingualism: Perspectives of change in psycholinguistics. Multilingual Matters.
5. King, A. (2007) Speaking in Tongues. In Reader’s Digest, Readers. Digest Association, Inc., USA, 96-101
6. Okal, Benard Odoyo (2014) Benefits of Multilingualism in Education. Universal Journal of Educational Research 2(3): 223-229, 2014 http://www.hrpub.org DOI: 10.13189/ujer.2014.020304
7. Pande, S. (2013). Language interference in English language teaching. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 4(3), 415-419.
8. Pishghdam, R. (2011). Sociocultural factors in language learning. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 7(2), 1-12.
9. Makhmoor Fatima, & Dr Aqsa Atta. (2024). THE IMPACT OF MULTILINGUALISM ON COGNITIVE PROCESSES AND LINGUISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENTS OF A PUBLIC SECTOR SCHOOL IN SIALKOT. International Journal of Contemporary Issues in Social Sciences, 3(1), 364–372. Retrieved from https://ijciss.org/index.php/ijciss/article/view/319
10. Sengova, K. (1987). Language politics in Sierra Leone. African Journal of Political Science and International Relations, 2(3), 528-535
11. Stevens, J. P., & Sheriff, A. (2025) ESL Oral Proficiency Inapt in Senior Secondary School Learners. Creative Education, 16, 555-570. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2025.164033
12. Stevens J. P., Challay, S., & Thulla, P.F.Y. (2023) Enhancing English oral fluency: a study on Sierra Leone’s senior secondary students. Journal of English Language Teaching and Learning, 4(2), 28-41.
13. Stevens J. P., Challay, S., & Thulla, P. F. Y., (2025) Improving oral English fluency in senior secondary school ESL learners of multilingual backgrounds in southern Sierra Leone. Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR) Volume 12, Issue 4 www.jetir.org (ISSN-2349-5162)
14. Stevens J. P., Sheriff A. B., & Sandy Jr., J. S., (2025) The Effect of Communication on the Administration of Tertiary Institutions: An In-depth Analysis. Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR) Volume 12, Issue 4 www.jetir.org (ISSN-2349-5162)
15. Sheriff, A. B., Stevens, J. P., Prof. Challay, S., Prof. Thulla, F. P. Y., (2025) Lexical Transfer from Mɛnde and Kàthemnɛ in English Proficiency: A Comparative Lexico-Semantic Analysis INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN APPLIED SCIENCE (IJRIAS) Volume X Issue VII July 2025 www.rsisinternational.org ISSN No. 2454-6194 DOI: https://doi.org/10.51584/IJRIAS.2025.100700003