Debate: Speaking Vernacular Should Be Allowed in Class (6 Winning Points)
Are you preparing to face the judges and need to prove that our local languages have a place in the classroom? You’ve come to the right place. Today, we are going to tackle a topic that touches the heart of our identity and our education system.
We are supporting the motion. We are going to prove why speaking vernacular should be allowed in class.
First, let’s keep it simple. When we say “vernacular,” we aren’t just talking about broken English. We are talking about our mother tongues—Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Efik, and even Nigerian Pidgin. These are the languages we think in.
Many people believe that English is the only measure of intelligence. They are wrong. If you are looking for strong speaking vernacular should be allowed in class debate points, this guide gives you the exact script to win that trophy.
Disclaimer: This article provides arguments supporting one side of an educational debate topic for academic purposes. It does not suggest that learning standard English is unimportant, but rather explores the benefits of bilingual education.
Winning Debate Points on Why Speaking Vernacular Should Be Allowed in Class
Here are the arguments that will silence your opposition. You can use these points directly. Just walk up to the podium, take a deep breath, and speak with confidence.
1. Understanding is Better Than Memorizing
My first point is about how we learn. Let’s be honest with ourselves. How many times have we crammed a definition in Biology or Physics without knowing what it actually means, just because the English was too big?
When a teacher explains a complex concept in our local dialect or Pidgin, the lightbulb turns on instantly. It clicks. We aren’t just memorizing words to pass an exam; we are understanding the concept. If I understand the Law of Gravity in Yoruba, I still understand gravity. Knowledge is universal; language is just the vehicle. By banning vernacular, we are blocking the bridge to true understanding for millions of Nigerian students.
2. It Kills the Fear of Participation
Imagine this scenario. You are in class. You know the answer to the question. You are 100% sure of it. But you keep your hand down. Why? Because you are terrified you might make a grammatical error and the whole class will laugh at you.
This is the reality for so many students. We silence our brilliance because we are afraid of the language police. If speaking vernacular was allowed, the classroom would become a noisy, vibrant place of learning. Students would express their ideas freely without the fear of saying “am” instead of “I’m.” We should be grading students on their intelligence and ideas, not just their grammar.
3. Language is Our Identity and Culture
I stand here to say that our culture is dying, and our schools are holding the weapon. We spend eight hours a day in school. If we are forbidden from speaking our mother tongue for the majority of our waking life, surely we will forget it.
China teaches in Chinese. Japan teaches in Japanese. Germany teaches in German. Are they not technologically advanced? Are they not smart? Why must we Nigerians be forced to abandon our own heritage to be considered “educated”? Allowing vernacular in class keeps our heritage alive. It tells the Nigerian child that their culture is valuable, not something to be ashamed of or left at the gate.
4. English Proficiency Does Not Equal Intelligence
Let’s get one thing straight. Being able to speak the Queen’s English with a British accent does not make you a genius. And speaking Pidgin doesn’t make you an illiterate.
Albert Einstein didn’t speak English as his first language. Neither did many of the world’s greatest scientists and inventors. When we punish a student for speaking vernacular, we are telling them that their intelligence is invalid. We are confusing “literacy” with “language.” We can be brilliant scientists, doctors, and lawyers who also speak our native dialects in the classroom to solve problems faster.
5. It Improves Teacher-Student Bonding
Think about your favorite teacher. I bet it’s the one who jokes with you, who comes down to your level, and who maybe drops a little Pidgin now and then to make a point clear.
When a teacher is allowed to switch to vernacular, the atmosphere relaxes. The teacher stops being a scary authority figure and becomes a mentor. Communication flows better. If a student is struggling emotionally or academically, they are far more likely to open up in their mother tongue than in strict, formal English. We need that connection for real learning to happen.
6. It Actually Helps Us Learn English Better
This might sound contradictory, but hear me out. Using vernacular can actually help us master English. It is called “code-switching.”
When we can compare a phrase in our dialect to the English version, we understand the grammar rules of both better. We can say, “Oh, in Igbo we say it like this, but in English, the verb moves here.” It creates a reference point. Banning vernacular leaves us floating in a sea of foreign words with no anchor. Allowing it gives us a solid foundation to build our English skills upon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Won’t allowing vernacular make students fail English exams? Not necessarily. In fact, understanding the subject matter is the first step. Once a student understands the concept (even if explained in vernacular), they can then learn how to translate that knowledge into English for the exam. Understanding comes first; translation comes second.
How do we handle a class with many different tribes? This is a valid question. In a mixed class, Nigerian Pidgin often serves as a neutral “vernacular” that unites everyone. It fosters unity rather than division. The goal isn’t to isolate tribes, but to find a language of best fit for understanding.
Is this topic common in competitions? Yes, it is very common. Judges love this topic because it tests your ability to balance modern education with cultural heritage. Using the speaking vernacular should be allowed in class debate points listed above will give you a strong edge.
Conclusion / Summary
To wrap this up, we have looked at how banning vernacular creates fear, kills our culture, and hinders deep understanding. We have also seen that intelligence is not tied to a foreign language.
If you were looking for points on the debate “speaking vernacular should be allowed in class”, I hope these arguments have armed you with everything you need to win. The classroom should be a place of freedom and learning, not a place where we are silenced because of the language we speak.
Disclaimer: This post supports the motion for educational debate purposes. All languages, including standard English, are vital for global communication and academic success.
What do you think? Drop your opinions in the comments section below… Do you agree that vernacular helps learning, or is it a distraction? Also, feel free to share this post with your coursemates or those in your team!
