Volume 5 (2) of African Languages originally published in 1979, is a special issue focussing on languages and education in Africa. There are chapters on African language education from a socio-linguistic perspective, the problems of bi-lingualism and multi-lingualism in Zaire and small languages in primary education.

1. The Development of Somali as a National Medium of Education and Literature B. W. Andrzejewski 2. Four Rationalisations for Maintaining European Languages in Africa: A Critique G. Ansre 3. African Language Education: A Sociolinguistic Perspective Ay¿ Bamgböe 4. Language and Education in the Sudan: Present Trends J. D. Gabjanda and H. Bell 5. Problematique du Bilinguisme et du Plurilinguisme au Zaire: Héritage Colonial et Situation Actuelle W. Lupukisa 6. Les Langues Africaines comme Véhicule d'Autres Langues Africaines K. Mateene 7. Suggested Syllabus for a Three Year Nursery Education Followed by a Five Year Primary Education in African Languages F. Mbassi-Manga 8. The Tanzanian Experience in the Use of an African Language in Education: A Case for Swahili G. Mhina 9. Réflexions sur les Méthodes et Matériaux d'Enseignment de la Lecture aux Adultes Mosi N. Nikiema 10. Le Kirundi, Instrument de Développement Politique, Économique et Culturel J. B. Ntahokaja 11. Small Languages in Primary Education: The Rivers Readers Project as a Case History K. Williamson