Authentic documents in the teaching and learning of a foreign language

Today's fast-paced and globalised world has made the learning of a foreign language a pressing need. As a result, many people, already seemingly settled in their occupations are flocking back to college to either learn the basics or master at least one foreign language. However, these attempts do not seem to yield much fruit in terms of applying these ‘learned' languages. Many students who have completed foreign language courses are barely capable of sustaining a conversation beyond the standard basic greetings. Learning a foreign language means being able to communicate effectively in everyday situations.Journal of Language, Technology and Entrepreneurship in Africa Vol. 1 (1) 2007 pp. 25-3

A method of measuring the Gini ratio of income inequality: the Kenyan case

The purpose of this paper is to discuss a method of calculating the Gini Coefficient of Inequality, with particular reference to the Kenyan data. This method is simple, precise and straightforward, and is free of ambiguities that beset the other conventional method. Moreover, it can be readily applied to a series of data that cover a long period of time. As such, the method can be used to analyse readily the extent to which inequality is increasing or decreasing over time in the country or region

Capital growth and development policy : the Kenyan experience

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of capital investment in growth and development policy, with particular reference to Kenya. The conclusion reached, through the application of regression and correlation analysis, is that (a) capital investment is a necessary but insufficient condition for the growth of the economy; (b) capital investment has little or no correlation with growth in some industrial sectors; and (c) capital investment contributes significantly in the industries which use machines and equipments. The policy for growth should distinguish between these economic sectors

Agricultural administration in Kenya: a review

The paper reviews some of the literature on agricultural administration in Kenya in the light of the reviewers’ own reference. Discussed in some detail, here is a recent work by Christopher Trapman, Change in Administrative Structure, which is a study of Agriculture Administrative System in Kenya

Public investment for private enterprise: a study of the role of parastatals as an actor and indicator of social change in Kenya

Public enterprise is a common feature of many economies throughout the world. It is a formula that has been applied in both socialist and capitalist states and is pervasive in Africa. The study of the phenomenon in Africa reveals that public Enterprise in not only an instrument of economic policy, it also has set social and political goals. The case of African Countries seems that after the euphoria of political independence, the exigencies of economic independence called for increased state intervention. In Kenya this intervention has been motivated by a desire to promote private (indigenous mainly and to a lesser extent, other) enterprise. The consequences have been the perpetuation and amplification of social and regional disparities that were already in existence or incipient at independence. The paper is divided into two main parts. The first part deals with the theoretical and historical origins of state enterprise, as well as the definition of the concept. The second part deals with the results - economic and social of this-type of intervention in Kenya

Assessing local administrative capacity for development purposes: a Kenyan case

This paper is based on field data, collected between 1970-1972. It assesses the administrative potential and capacity that existed in one sub-district at the time an integrated rural development programme was being launched in the area. The findings show that the administrative system which existed at the time was too weak to support the programme. The factors which accounted for the weaknesses are discussed in some details

Decentralization for integrated rural development: some lessons from Kenya

Decentralization for rural development has become a movement of some kind. This paper attempts to assess the experience of Kenya in this field. In doing that the paper focuses on, (i) The District development Committees. ii) The Special Rural Development Programme (SRDP) organization. iii) District Planning Strategy. Several conclusions both positive and negative are arrived at after some detailed analyses

TRENDS IN URBAN MORPHOLOGICAL DATA CAPTURE: A REVIEW OF THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES ON UTILITY OF GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY

Aim: The purpose of this paper is to review the trends in the application of geospatial technology in urban morphology data capture and studies. Methodology and Results: This review was guided by critical thinking research approach, which involves analysis of relevant literature on a phenomenon to enable to draw conclusion(s) on whether a claim is true, sometimes true, partly true or false and using methods to applied in critical thinking include broad intellectual criteria such as clarity, credibility, accuracy, precision, relevance, depth, significance and fairness. The results show that increasing urbanization and sub-optimal locations of urban amenities and utilities has resulted in many cities facing environmental, land use and socio-economic challenges. This can be mitigated by the implementation of cost-effective urban development plans and policies together with an in-depth understanding of the interactions existing between urban natural and human systems, an undertaking reliably aided by geospatial technologies notably Remote Sensing, Geographical Information Systems, Global Positioning System and Photogrammetry. Conclusion, significance, and impact study: This paper is therefore anchored on an understanding of urban morphology, factors determining its changes over time and demonstrated achievements of the utility of geospatial technology in the study of the same with policy implications for the applications of the geospatial technology in urban studies