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1
Banning, Yvonne. "English language usage in South African Theatre since 1976." Thesis, University of Cape Town, 1989. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/23508.
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2
Walters, P. S. "English in Africa 2000 : towards a new millennium : inaugural lecture delivered at Rhodes University." Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020747.
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3
Pienaar, Cheryl Leelavathie. "Towards a corpus of Indian South African English (ISAE) : an investigation of lexical and syntactic features in a spoken corpus of contemporary ISAE." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002640.
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There is consensus among scholars that there is not just one English language but a family of “World Englishes”. The umbrella-term “World Englishes” provides a conceptual framework to accommodate the different varieties of English that have evolved as a result of the linguistic cross-fertilization attendant upon colonization, migration, trade and transplantation of the original “strain” or variety. Various theoretical models have emerged in an attempt to understand and classify the extant and emerging varieties of this global language. The hierarchically based model of English, which classifies world English as “First Language”, “Second Language” and “Foreign Language”, has been challenged by more equitably-conceived models which refer to the emerging varieties as New Englishes. The situation in a country such as multi-lingual South Africa is a complex one: there are 11 official languages, one of which is English. However the English used in South Africa (or “South African English”), is not a homogeneous variety, since its speakers include those for whom it is a first language, those for whom it is an additional language and those for whom it is a replacement language. The Indian population in South Africa are amongst the latter group, as theirs is a case where English has ousted the traditional Indian languages and become a de facto first language, which has retained strong community resonances. This study was undertaken using the methodology of corpus linguistics to initiate the creation of a repository of linguistic evidence (or corpus), of Indian South African English, a sub-variety of South African English (Mesthrie 1992b, 1996, 2002). Although small (approximately 60 000 words), and representing a narrow age band of young adults, the resulting corpus of spoken data confirmed the existence of robust features identified in prior research into the sub-variety. These features include the use of ‘y’all’ as a second person plural pronoun, the use of but in a sentence-final position, and ‘lakker’ /'lVk@/ as a pronunciation variant of ‘lekker’ (meaning ‘good’, ‘nice’ or great’). An examination of lexical frequency lists revealed examples of general South African English such as the colloquially pervasive ‘ja’, ‘bladdy’ (for bloody) and jol(ling) (for partying or enjoying oneself) together with neologisms such as ‘eish’, the latter previously associated with speakers of Black South African English. The frequency lists facilitated cross-corpora comparisons with data from the British National Corpus and the Corpus of London Teenage Language and similarities and differences were noted and discussed. The study also used discourse analysis frameworks to investigate the role of high frequency lexical items such as ‘like’ in the data. In recent times ‘like’ has emerged globally as a lexicalized discourse marker, and its appearance in the corpus of Indian South African English confirms this trend. The corpus built as part of this study is intended as the first building block towards a full corpus of Indian South African English which could serve as a standard for referencing research into the sub-variety. Ultimately, it is argued that the establishment of similar corpora of other known sub-varieties of South African English could contribute towards the creation of a truly representative large corpus of South African English and a more nuanced understanding and definition of this important variety of World English.
4
Webb, Marie Lynette. "Searching for common ground: developing mathematical reasoning through dialogue." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1132.
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In the majority of the schools in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, teaching and learning takes place in the second language, English, of both teachers and learners. The purpose of this research was to elicit the perceptions of teachers in multilingual mathematics classes about language issues that they encounter and to ascertain whether they could experientially learn the theory of dialogic teaching through an intervention in order to introduce dialogue in practice in their classes. The effect of the intervention on teacher practices was qualitatively observed and the effect of the teacher practices on learner reasoning competence, numeracy competence and English language competence was quantitatively tested by using validated pre- and post-tests. The study follows a mixed method concurrent triangulation design with both quantitative and qualitative results. Two cohorts of students/teachers studying for qualifications at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University centres throughout the Eastern Cape expressed their opinions about language challenges and solutions through questionnaires, reflective writing and poetry. A cohort of BEd Honours (Mathematics and Science) students experienced a semester long intervention on the theory and practice of dialogic teaching, particularly exploratory talk, and were tasked to introduce the practice into their multilingual mathematics classes in the form of reported action research. The next phase of the study focussed on the practices of three teachers and their grade seven multilingual mathematics learners who were observed and tested over a period of nine months. The following year the observations and testing were repeated with one teacher and his grade seven learners to ascertain whether the intervention would result in similar findings. iv The results enhance the validity of the Vygotskian claim concerning the relationship between language use, social interaction and reasoning development. In classes where there was evidence of dialogic practices the learners collaborated in groups using code-switching and their main language. Their reasoning, numeracy and English skills test scores improved statistically significantly. Teachers were able to give voice to their deep-felt emotions through poetry. They felt that the devaluing of isiXhosa had resulted in the loss of learners’ main language literacy competencies and consequent loss of cultural capital; however they considered it necessary to develop English competence in the learners, even if it was at the expense of developing mathematical competence. The introduction of exploratory talk in their home languages served the dual purpose of promoting the value of isiXhosa in an academic environment as well as enhancing mathematical reasoning. It appears that when teachers focus on developing language as a tool for reasoning, significant improvements in learners’ problem solving competences occur. When the language used is the main language of both teachers and learners both mathematical understanding and cultural identity are enhanced. The study concludes with a suggestion for a model for future interventions to train teachers to introduce dialogic practices in multilingual mathematics classes.
5
Montjane, Raesibe Oniccah. "The influence of English on mother-tongue in learning and teaching in secondary schools (Fet Band) with specific reference to Sepedi in Mankweng Circuit in the Limpopo Province." Thesis, University of Limpopo, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10386/1287.
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Thesis (MA. (Translation Studies and Linguistics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2013<br>The study sought to investigate the challenges that the learners and educators encountered in learning and teaching when they use English as a medium of instruction. The study reveals that African languages, along with their culture are being dominated by English. Most of Pedis’ learners cannot speak Sepedi without mixing it with English, and most of African people usually read English books and neglecting the Indigenous books.
In addition, the study shows that learners performed better when they were taught in Sepedi than in English. The educators’ responses showed that learners have difficulties in understanding English as the medium of instruction and that they code-switch from English to Sepedi to enhance understanding.
6
Coetzee, Wena. "Language errors in the use of English by two different dialect groups of Afrikaans first language-speakers employed by Nedbank : an analysis and possible remedy." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/2063.
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Thesis (MPhil (General Linguistics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The financial sector of South Africa is increasingly under pressure to ensure
that the language used in all communication is aligned with international best
practice and, furthermore, that the correct business terminology is applied.
Standards of language proficiency and usage have, however, deteriorated over
the past few years. This appears to be due mainly to lack of good language
education at school level. In Nedbank, specifically, the language used by
employees in written external communication is not always on par as is evident
from the documentation that Nedbank Editorial and Language Services (Nels),
the “language custodian” of the bank, has to edit and translate. Nels decided
six years ago that, instead of rewriting all these documents, which is not timeor
cost-efficient, to rather give business-writing training across the bank to
enable Nedbank employees to increase their general writing proficiency of
English. This study aims to establish whether there are discrepancies in the
type of error made in English as used by Coloured Afrikaans mother tongue
speakers and White Afrikaans mother tongue speakers in order to determine
how to customise the business-writing training materials to the benefit of each
cultural grouping in Nedbank.<br>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die finansiële sektor in Suid-Afrika is toenemend onder druk om te verseker dat
die taal wat in alle kommunikasie gebruik word in ooreenstemming is met
internasionale “beste praktyk”, en verder dat die korrekte besigheidsterminologie
gebruik word. Taalvaardigheids- en taalgebruiksvlakke het egter
oor die afgelope aantal jare verswak, waarskynlik a.g.v. onvoldoende
taalonderrig op skool. In Nedbank is die taalgebruik van werknemers in
geskrewe eksterne kommunikasie nie altyd van ’n aanvaarbare standaard nie,
soos duidelik blyk uit die dokumentasie wat Nedbank Editorial and Language
Services (Nels), die bank se “taalbewaarder”, moet redigeer en vertaal. Nels het
ses jaar gelede besluit om besigheidskryfkursusse vir die hele groep aan te
bied, eerder as om al die eksterne kommunikasie oor te skryf, wat nie tyd- en
koste-effektief is nie. Sodoende kan werknemers hulle algemene
skryfvaardighede in Engels verbeter. Hierdie studie probeer vasstel of daar
moontlike verskille is in die soort foute wat in Engels deur gekleurde
Afrikaans-moedertaalsprekers en wit Afrikaans-moedertaalsprekers gemaak
word, in ‘n poging om doeltreffende opleidingsmateriaal te ontwikkel vir elke
kulturele groepering in Nedbank.
7
Dommisse, Anne. "Criteria in English language assessment : a South African perspective." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/17078.
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Bibliography: pages 181-186.<br>The study recorded in this dissertation was undertaken in the School of Education at the University of Cape Town (UCT) during the period 1986-1990. It was motivated by perceived anomalies in the administration of State regulations for endorsement of teachers' diplomas in respect of ability in English (E/e). The study commences with an analysis of the relevant requirements of the regulations for teacher bilingualism, as set out in sections 10 and 11 of Criteria for the Evaluation of South African Qualifications for Employment in Education, 1988. Theoretical and practical problems of evaluation and endorsement identified at UCT are considered in relation to the concept of test failure, as opposed to testee failure. Responses to a questionnaire sent to other teacher training centres indicate similar concerns elsewhere. Arising from a review of recent literature on language testing, and against the background of the multilingual target groups tested at UCT, a proposition is put forward for a distinction between communicative competence and language proficiency as criteria in language assessment, depending on whether English is the medium (communicative competence), or the subject (proficiency), of instruction. Assuming that English will remain a medium of instruction in a changing socio-political dispensation, at least in the short and medium terms, the study then focuses on test design, construction and scoring, where the objective is to test communicative competence in English, rather than proficiency. The role of English in the curriculum in a future South Africa is discussed briefly. It is concluded that current regulations for language endorsement are in urgent need of review. The following recommendations are made in this regard: that the relevant requirements for teachers in State schools be reformulated to account for one level, rather than two, of endorsement in English as the medium of instruction; that such endorsement be required only in the case of non-English medium graduates, thereby recognising the integrity of the English medium teachers' diploma itself; that procedures for assessment for the purpose of diploma endorsement be standardised; and that the State support further research in this area.
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Butler, Ian. "'People's English' in South Africa : theory and practice." Thesis, Rhodes University, 1994. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003574.
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Communicative Language Teaching, an approach to language teaching currently widely prescribed, has been criticised for its unquestioning acceptance of the cultural and political norms of the target language. People's English (an aspect of the larger People's Education movement), on the other hand, offers a philosophy and methodology that takes an actively critical view of language and its relationship to power. In the context of South African society, this stance has had clear political implications. Although still imprecisely defined , the concepts of People's Education and People's English have been debated and discussed by various ant-apartheid movements in recent years. Attempts have also been made to translate the evolving theory into practice through the development of materials and methodologies. This has been achieved on a relatively small scale, with varying degrees of success. Recent reform measures by the South African government have, however, prompted the proponents of People's Education to reassess their position. This thesis presents a historical overview and critical assessment of the development of People's English in South Africa.
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Krause, Lara-Stephanie. "Relanguaging language in English(ing) classrooms in Khayelitsha South Africa." Doctoral thesis, Faculty of Humanities, 2019. https://hdl.handle.net/11427/31726.
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Institutional language teaching is built on the assumption that languages exist as homogeneous entities and is aimed at the mastery of standardised codes. In this view, English teaching in South African township schools is failing. Learners (and teachers) underperform in standardised English tests and are repeatedly described – by stakeholders in schooling and by scholars of language in education – as ‘ cut off’ from standard linguistic norms needed for success beyond the township. But is linguistic deficit all we can find in township English classrooms, given that the day-to-day language practices in these settings are known to be heterogeneous, flexible and creative? I begin here by taking this local linguistic heterogeneity seriously, asking: What does language education in Khayelitsha look like through a lens that is not a priori structured by separate, homogenised languages? In the first part of this thesis I develop such an analytical lens. I begin by committing not to use some key linguistic terms that imply a view of languages as discrete, homogeneous entities. I then engage with (trans)languaging literature and the inchoative sociolinguistic notion of ‘spatial repertoires’, conceptualising ‘languaging’ for my purposes as a spatial practice, with which speakers draw on and transform elements of spatial repertoires. This spatial perspective doesn’t allow for surface-level categorisation of linguistic phenomena. It demands instead fine-grained, situated analyses that I conduct with tools from Bantu linguistics, conversation analysis and ethnography, on data from participant observation, recorded classroom talk, a learners’ writing task and teacher interviews. Rather than training the spotlight on the alleged lack of Standard English, I show the Khayelitshan English classroom to be a space of specific linguistic possibilities, ordered by teachers through a linguistic sorting practice I call relanguaging. This practice instantiates teachers’ negotiations of Khayelitshan heterogeneous linguistic realities, and the demands of a centralised curriculum and testing system, in the classroom. Learners are also shown to be ‘relanguagers’, who display complex linguistic sorting processes in their writing, juggling what I find to be an oversupply rather than an undersupply of standard linguistic norms. My empirical findings and my conceptualisation of relanguaging, which develops and complexifies throughout this thesis, allow me to systematically unsettle a construction of linguistic hetero- and homogeneity as mutually exclusive. This comes with a theoretical critique of ‘translanguaging’ as a linguistic descriptor that, in my view, reifies a dichotomy between fluid languaging and fixed standard languages. As a result, it makes us overlook the relationality in practice regarding these two dimensions of language and the complexities that result therefrom. With the dichotomy between languaging and languages dissolved, I end by proposing ways of testing for Standard English beyond its own confines, i.e. to test for increasingly sophisticated linguistic sorting skills instantiated in emergent englishing.
10
Distiller, Natasha. "Shakespeare in South Africa : literary theory and practice." Doctoral thesis, University of Cape Town, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/10346.
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Bibliography: leaves 237-256.<br>This thesis explores the development of a "South African Shakespeare". Relying on post-colonial theory as primary framework, it views colonised culture not as secondary and responsive, but as primary and creative. The main work of the thesis is to trace the role played by "Shakespeare", as a set of texts and as an icon, in a particular trajectory of writing in English in South Africa in the first half of the twentieth century.
11
Van, Vuuren Kathrine. "A study of indigenous children's literature in South Africa." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 1995. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/21491.
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Bibliography: pages 151-159.<br>Whilst an accepted area of investigation in most other English speaking countries, indigenous children's literature is a relatively new area of academic study in South Africa. Traditionally, South Africa children's literature has been targeted for a white middle class audience. In addition, most of the fiction for children that was available in South Africa, with the exception of fiction in Afrikaans, tended to be imported children's literature, which meant that there was little by way of indigenous children's literature being produced. However, since the mid-1970s there has been a considerable increase in the local production of children's literature, much of which in the last five years has been intended for a wider and more comprehensive audience and market. This study considers various issues relevant to the field of children's literature in South Africa, through both traditional means of research as well as through a series of interviews with people involved in the field itself The focus of this dissertation is a sociological study of the process whereby children's literature is disseminated in South Africa. International theories of children's literature are briefly considered in sq far as they relate to indigenous children's literature. Of particular interest to this study are current thoughts about racial and gender stereotypes in children's literature, as well as the recently developed theory of 'antibias' children's literature. The manner in which people's attitudes to and about children's literature are shaped is explored in detail. Traditional methods of publishing and distributing children's literature, as well as the current and uniquely South African award system are considered. The need to broaden the scope of current publishing methods is highlighted and the ways in which publishers foresee themselves doing this is considered. The limitations of current methods of distribution are highlighted, and some more innovative approaches, some of which are currently being used in other parts of Southern Africa, are suggested. The gap between the 'black' and the 'white' markets are considered, and possible methods of overcoming this divide are considered. The indigenous award system is considered in relation to international award systems, and criticisms of the South African award system are discussed. The issue of whether or not children should read indigenous children's literature is considered. The debate about this issue centres around a belief in the importance of children having something with which to identify when they read, as opposed to a belief in the culturally and ideologically isolating effects of providing children with mainly indigenous children's literature to read. Finally, the current belief in children's literature as a means of bridging gaps in South African society is considered through a study of three socially aware genres- namely, folktales, historical fiction and socially aware youth fiction. By way of conclusion, some of the issues raised in the body of this study are highlighted and discussed.
12
Blunt, Sandra Viki. "An analysis of how the Senior Certificate examination constructs the language needs of English second language learners." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006243.
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The Senior Certificate (SC) examination, a focus of the research described in this thesis, has an important function in terms of the quality of the education system overall and also in terms of the contribution of education to the achievement of national goals. The SC examination functions i) as a measure of achievement at school ii) as an indicator of work readiness and iii) as an indicator of the potential to succeed in higher education. This thesis offers a critique of the SC examination in respect of its functions. The way in which learners' language related needs are constructed is crucial in discussing the SC examination's legitimacy since perceptions about the needs of learners are reflected in what is taught and assessed. Since the majority of candidates writing the SC exarnination do so using a language which is not their mother tongue, the research described in the thesis attempted to identify the way in which the English second language (ESL) SC examination papers construct learners' needs. Examination papers represent a particular domain of social practice and are constructed through discourse. In the context of the research described in this thesis, discourses are understood as sets of ideas which are shared by communities of people and which give rise to practices which then define and sustain those communities and, thus, the discourses themselves. Discourse is language insofar as it converges with power and positions people in the interests of power. The ideological nature of discourse necessitates a critical orientation to research which interrogates, challenges and critiques the status quo. To identify the discourses constructing ESL learners' needs I conducted a critical discourse analysis on a representative sarnple of ESL SC exarnination papers and also interviewed six ESL examiners to corroborate the findings of the analysis. This then allowed me to identify several dominant discourses constructing ESL learners' needs: meaning-related, literature-related and process-related. The first meaning-related discourse, 'Received Tradition' discourse, focuses on the rules of grammar and spelling. Rather than approaching language as a resource to enable learners to understand the ideas to which they are exposed, learners are being taught discrete 'skills' to equip them for higher education study and the workplace. It is argued that school-based language literacy practices are not generalizable to the workplace and to higher education. Another aspect of 'Received Tradition' discourse holds that the study of English literature is a medium for understanding life and that there is moral value in teaching English literature. Learners are therefore constructed as lacking these values and their needs as having to acquire them. 'Received Tradition' discourse also overlaps with a second meaning-related discourse, 'Autonomous Text' discourse, which holds that the text's meaning is explicit and that if the learners can manipulate the rules of English grammar, 'have' vocabulary and can spell, they can retrieve meanings from texts they encounter in a wide range of contexts and construct texts for themselves. It is argued that a lack of awareness that meaning is constructed through recourse to other contexts, texts and the learner's experience is disadvantaging ESL candidates. 'Language as an Instrument of Communication' discourse, the last meaning-related discourse identified, sees language as the vehicle used to convey ideas, thoughts, information and beliefs, which are viewed as having been constructed independently of language. It is assumed that the answers, which, according to 'Autonomous Text' discourse, are in the text, can be conveyed if the tools of language are used correctly. The first literature-related discourse identified is 'Literature Study Develops Language Proficiency'. It is argued this is a misperception since language is learned as part of situated practice and instruction must thus be embedded in meaningful communicative contexts involving situated practice. The second literature-related discourse identified, 'Literature Study is a Medium for Understanding Life', is connected to the 'Received Tradition' discourse referred to above which holds that there is moral value in teaching English literature. This research identifies the ideological implications of these discourses, arguing that values are culture-specific and learners from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds experience life differently from the way it is depicted in English literature. Process-related discourses, which are part of the processes of teaching and assessment, concern the inadequacy of the ESL learner and of the markers and therefore dictate what can and cannot be expected of ESL learners in the SC examination. The research showed how all of the above discourses work through the SC curriculum to impose the values and beliefs of particular dominant groups on the ESL learner. Because of the robust and invidious nature of discourses this is a cause for concern. Although it is difficult to set a school leaving examination which serves both workplace and academic functions, there is a need to move beyond traditional, hegemonic approaches to understanding language learning. This thesis offers an analysis which can be used to inform practice.
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Onraet, Lauren Alexandra. "English as a Lingua Franca and English in South Africa : distinctions and overlap." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/6545.
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Thesis (MA (General Linguistics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.<br>Bibliography<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates the prevalent, typical linguistic and discursive features of English as
it is used as a shared medium of communication by speakers who do not share a first
language in the Western Cape (i.e. as a lingua franca). These features were compared to
those found in certain second-language varieties in South Africa, namely Black South
African English, Cape Flats English and Afrikaans English.
Fourteen female students from the University of Stellenbosch between the ages of 18 and
27 from various first language backgrounds were recruited for the data collection. A closed
corpus was created in which recordings were made of semi-structured conversations
between the participants, paired in seven groups of two speakers each. These recordings
were then transcribed. In order to identify and analyse the English as a lingua franca (ELF)
phenomena that arose, reference was made to the various linguistic features and methods of
analysis of ELF suggested in House (2002), Seidlhofer (2004) and Meierkord (2000),
amongst others. These features were then analysed and compared with the features reported
in the literature on second-language varieties of English in South Africa.
The study reveals that the South African ELF spoken by the participants displays similar
features to the ELF(s) spoken in Europe, although certain European ELF features that occur
in South African ELF are used to fulfil different functions. The study disclosed three ELF
phenomena which have not been reported as such in the European ELF literature and
therefore seem to be unique to the South African ELF context. Specifically, these are
auxiliary dropping (AUX-drop), explicit self-doubt of a speaker‟s own ELF proficiency,
and thinking aloud. Finally, certain South African ELF features are also reported to be
features of South African second-language varieties (e.g. AUX-drop).<br>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek heersende, tipiese eienskappe van Engels wat beskryf word as
linguisties en diskursief, spesifiek soos die eienskappe voorkom in Engels as ‟n
gemeenskaplike vorm van kommunikasie tussen sprekers in die Wes-Kaap wat nie ‟n
eerste taal gemeen het nie (m.a.w. waar Engels as ‟n lingua franca gebruik word). Dié
eienskappe is vergelyk met ander wat gevind is in sekere tweedetaal-variëteite in SuidAfrika, naamlik Black South African English, Cape Flats English en sg. Afrikaans English.
Veertien vroulike studente van die Universiteit van Stellenbosch tussen die ouderdomme
van 18 en 27 en met ‟n verskeidenheid eerstetaal-agtergronde is gebruik vir die datainsameling. ‟n Geslote korpus is gevorm bestaande uit opnames van semi-gestruktureerde
gesprekke tussen die deelnemers. Laasgenoemde is verdeel in sewe groepe van twee
sprekers elk. Hierdie opnames is later getranskribeer. Ten einde die relevante Engels-aslingua-franca (ELF)-verskynsels te identifiseer en te analiseer, is daar eerstens gekyk na
verskeie linguistiese eienskappe en metodes van analise van ELF soos voorgestel deur,
onder andere, House (2002, 2009), Seidlhofer (2004) en Meierkord (2000). Hierna is die
waargenome eienskappe geanaliseer en vergelyk met die eienskappe wat gerapporteer is in
die literatuur oor tweedetaal-variëteite van Engels in Suid-Afrika.
Die studie toon dat die Suid-Afrikaanse ELF wat deur die deelnemers gebruik word,
soortgelyke eienskappe vertoon as ELF in die Europese konteks, met die uitsondering dat
sekere Europese ELF-eienskappe wat in Suid-Afrikaanse ELF voorkom, plaaslik ander
funksies vervul. Drie ELF-verskynsels wat nie as sodanig in die literatuur oor Europese
ELF gerapporteer is nie, is gevind en is dus waarskynlik eiesoortig aan die Suid-Afrikaanse
ELF-konteks. Dít sluit in hulpwerkwoord-weglating (sg. AUX-drop), eksplisiete uitspreek
van onsekerheid oor ‟n spreker se eie ELF-bevoegdheid, en hardop dink. Ten slotte is daar
ook gevind dat sekere Suid-Afrikaanse ELF-eienskappe tegelykertyd eienskappe van Suid
Afrikaanse tweedetaal-variëteite is, soos bv. weglating van die hulpwerkwoord.
14
Duvenage, Amy Lisa. "Challenges to Ubuntu and social cohesion in South Africa." Thesis, Kingston University, 2015. http://eprints.kingston.ac.uk/35844/.
Full textAbstract:
Envisaged as vehicle for social cohesion in post revolutionary South Africa, ubuntu means 'humanness' and 'goodness' ; however, the optimistic post-apartheid discourse of ubuntu contrasts with the bleak post-apartheid fictions. These reflect a social and political landscape that does not live up to the optimistic ideology of the Rainbow Nation. This thesis argues that ubuntu - as a 'return to tradition' - is a problematic narrative of social cohesion because as an innate and essential aspect of African identity, ubuntu risks cultural simplification, it depends on ideas of racial polarization and the homogenisation of black African culture, and it legitimises the implementation of coercive social practices. The major literary texts examined are Zakes Mda's novels 'The heart of redness' (2002) and 'Ways of dying' (1995), Sindiwe Magona's 'Living, loving and lying awake at night' (1991). 'To my children's children' (1991), 'Forced to grow' (1991) and 'Mother to mother' (1998). Kgebetli Moele's 'Room 2017' (2011) and 'The book of the dead' (2009), Phaswanr Mpe's 'Welcome to our hillbrow' (2001), K. Sello Duiker's 'Thirteen cents' (2008) and Kopana Motlwa's 'Coconut' (2007). Each of the four chapters addresses ubuntu in relation to differences that are already embedded in discourses of ubuntu: that is, 'modernity' and 'tradition', gender, rural-urban migration, and the occult. These subject positions are then embedded in wider contemporary debates about a nation in transition: post-apartheid South Africa and where necessary the apartheid past. Ubuntu fails to offer a coherent programme for political change and now functions as a floating or empty signifier.
15
Marawu, Sithembele. "A case study of English/Xhosa code switching as a communicative and learning resource in an English medium classroom." Thesis, Rhodes University, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003317.
Full textAbstract:
Research on code switching (CS), the use of more than one language in a single piece of discourse, has focused on various aspects of the phenomenon. For example, research has concentrated on switching that occurs between turns of interlocutors in a piece of discourse, sometimes between sentences within a single tum and sometimes within a sentence. Researchers have approached this discourse behaviour from various perspectives. For instance, some investigate the social functions of the switches, others explore the linguistic constraints on the switches. Furthermore, most of this research has examined CS in non-educational contexts. Research on classroom CS, the focus of this study, took hold in the mid 1970s. Researchers began to investigate the communicative functions of CS and the frequency with which teachers and learners used certain languages to perform different functions. Recent studies on classroom CS focus on the sequential flow of classroom discourse and "the way in which codeswitching contributes to the interactional work that teachers and learners do in bilingual classrooms" (Martin-Jones 1995:91). The approach used in these studies is the conversational analytic approach grounded in ethnographic observation. In South Africa little research has been done on classroom CS, though it makes an important contribution to the interactional work of teachers and learners in classrooms. This study explores the use of English and Xhosa in the classroom as a learning and communicative resource. Its focus is on the communicative functions of the switching behaviour of a teacher as she interacts with her pupils. In other words, this study looks at how the research subject uses English and Xhosa to get things done in the classroom. As the classroom situation observed is dominated by the teacher, this study concentrates mainly on her communicative repertoire. It does not attempt a full linguistic description of the switches made by the research subject, for example, it does not deal with linguistic constraints on CS. One of the major findings noted in this study is that the research subject does not use CS so as to avoid using English. She uses CS as a learning resource. It has also been noted that CS is used by the research subject as a contextualisation cue, for example, we noted the way it co-occurs with other contextualisation cues like nonverbal communication cues. This is in line with Martin-Jones' (1995) viewpoint that CS is not used by bilingual teachers simply to express solidarity with the learners but to negotiate and renegotiate meaning.
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Jackson, Gail. "A comparative case study of the strategies used by grade one teachers who teach through the medium of English." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007855.
Full textAbstract:
This research project begins by exploring the problems surrounding the implementation of the 1997 Language in Education Policy (LiEP), and offers insight into why some schools, despite the promotion of additive bilingualism, choose English as the primary medium of instruction. It is a comparative case study of two Grade 1 classes in different situational contexts, which highlights the teaching strategies and language practices of teachers who teach predominantly non-English speakers through the medium of English. Research carried out through this case study illustrates the use of a wide range of teaching strategies, which assist young learners when learning through an additional language. In School A, thematic linking between different learning areas to maximise vocabulary development in both the mother tongue and the additional language, as well as repetition, recycling, scaffolding and contextualisation of content were found to be important. In addition, the use of questioning to elicit understanding, as well as classroom organisation and code-switching were strategies which assisted both the teacher and learners in this multilingual environment. In School B, class size, group work and the inclusion into the timetable of a wide range of diverse activities over and above the main learning areas, which provided opportunities for language development, were important considerations. In addition, routine, predictability and an attention to detail, in keeping with a form-focussed approach, aided the children in understanding the mechanics of literacy and guiding them towards becoming phonologically aware.
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Thomas, Kylie. "Between life and death : HIV and AIDS and representation in South Africa." Doctoral thesis, University of Cape Town, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/8101.
Full textAbstract:
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 170-179).<br>This dissertation examines the relation between political and semiotic representation and takes as its focus the marginalized social position of people living with HIV and AIDS in South Africa. It argues that this position can best be understood as a space between life and death. It engages with Michel Foucault's concept of "bio-power" to interrogate what kinds of subjects are produced when power seizes hold of life and, in particular, what becomes of subjectivity when the body is abandoned by power; and also draws on the work of cultural theorists Giorgio Agamben and Judith Butler to consider how conditions of life in South Africa in the time of HIV and AIDS both articulate with and exceed the bio-political. The dissertation first presents a brief account of the history of the epidemic and government responses to it, and then goes on to analyse a series of visual and textual representations of people living with HIV and AIDS in Southern Africa.
18
Nomlomo, Vuyokazi Sylvia. "Science teaching and learning through the medium of English and isiXhosa: a comparative study in two primary schools in the Western Cape." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2007. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_5834_1257246912.
Full textAbstract:
<p>This thesis compared science teaching and learning in English and isiXhosa in the Intermediate Phase (Grades 4-6) in two primary schools in the Western Cape. It explored the effects of using learners' home language (isiXhosa) and second language (English) as languages of learning and teaching science. The study is part of a broader project called the Language of Instruction in Tanzania and South Africa (LOITASA). The study was conceived against the background of English as a means of social, economic and educational advancement, and the marginalization of African languages in education.</p>
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Williams, Elaine. "Guy Butler and South African culture." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 1989. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/18589.
Full textAbstract:
This paper looks at Guy Butler's theories about English South Africans and the English language. I have outlined his reputation as a critical thinker, poet and scholar, with a view to understanding the role he has played as an individual in South African cultural politics. I have also tried to trace some of the social roots and implications of the ideas he puts forward and the social purposes these serve. These have been investigated from a 'political' and sociological perspective. I have concentrated on his socio-political discourses as they have appeared in conference papers, journal articles and newspaper articles and the media response to the ideas has also been analysed. Butler's poetry and more properly literary work is not a direct concern of this paper and is not given extensive attention. I have concluded that Butler's work is an interpretation of South African reality which serves the purpose of promoting a set of mythical goals and purposes for English South Africans based on the founding myth of the 1820 settlers in the Eastern Cape.
20
Johnston, Graham Francis. "A survey of the perceptions of lecturers and English Second Language students regarding ESL students' language-related problems at Technikon Natal." Thesis, Rhodes University, 1993. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003673.
Full textAbstract:
The shortage of manpower in South Africa with technological skills is a widespread problem. Technikons are under extreme pressure to develop these skills in the student population. Admission statistics at Technikon Natal show a marked increase in ESL students enrolling in a wide variety of national diploma courses. The inadequate education received by the majority of ESL students in South Africa has not prepared them for the demands of tertiary education. As English is the medium of instruction at Technikon Natal, underdeveloped language skills tend to hinder the students' progress. Technikon Natal is currently considering an Educational Development Strategy designed to assist students. In order for a response to perceived language-related problems to be meaningful, a survey of such issues was considered a practical starting point to establish that these issues were in fact problematic. The survey was intended to probe certain perceptions held by students and staff regarding attitudes, which might have been preconceived. It also provided clarification that some of these perceptions are inaccurate, and in some cases, incorrect. In addition to this, it established that there is considerable support among students and staff for departmentally-integrated support programmes. In terms of Technikon Natal's present position on an ESL educational development continuum, the findings indicate that much benefit could be derived from the research carried out in other tertiary institutions with regard to academic support programmes. Areas in which there was a considerable disparity of views held were identified and commented upon. In conclusion, it was felt that attention should be focussed on the following: recognition of the need for an integrated ESL programme; departmental reinforcement of academic skills; decentralisation of the ASP programme. The survey concludes with a brief comment on current developments in response to ESL needs at Technikon Natal.
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Mataka, Tawanda Wallace. "Language and literacy development for a Grade 10 English first additional language classroom: a reading to learn case study." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/249.
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The problem of poor reading skills is a serious one in South Africa, with negative implications for learners’ educational achievement. The failure of learners to read at age- and grade-appropriate levels presents a major challenge to the teaching of reading in South African schools. It is against this background that this study aimed at ascertaining the positive impact of the Reading to Learn methodology in improving the literacy levels of learners in a Grade 10 English First Additional Language classroom in a township school. Reading ability levels were established via a passage extracted from a Grade Platinum English First Additional Learner’s book. Pronunciation and word recognition formed the basis of the reading assessment. Reading translates into writing, so the learners were also assessed in comprehension and creative writing. The results indicated that the learners’ reading abilities were weak, the methodology used to teach reading led to research findings that caused the study to yield findings that suggest that RtL may be the solution to reading problems in the classroom. In addition the study revealed that the ability to read corresponds with cognitive development. The study therefore calls for the adoption of RtL to assist in alleviating reading problems in the classroom.
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Adams, Betony. "Rhyming youth with death : what we might learn from HIV/AIDS fiction in South Africa." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/12631.
Full textAbstract:
Includes bibliographical references.<br>That the interpretation of disease, its fictionalisation, might prompt negative responses is an issue that has been addressed by various people. Of which one of the better known examples is Susan Sontag's Illness as Metaphor & Aids and its Metaphors. In South Africa the negative effects of reading HIV/AIDS as metaphoric are borne out by the shame and stigma which make acknowledging and treating the disease difficult. While recognising the relevance of being against the interpretation of disease this thesis is an attempt to argue for what we can learn from considering the metaphors that constitute what might be called the official fiction, that is, literary fiction, about HIV/AIDS in South Africa. I will focus generally on how metaphor might offer a singular way of communicating the experience of the diseased body in the context of the abstracting expertise of modem medicine. And I will also examine two instances in which metaphor and fiction might give specific insight into the experience of HIV/AIDS in South Africa.
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Tshuma, Sibhekinkosi Anna. "Reading clubs as a literacy intervention tool to develop English vocabulary amongst Grade 3 English second language learners at a school in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011755.
Full textAbstract:
This study is part of a larger research programme that seeks to contribute towards an understanding of South Africa's complex literacy landscape and formulate strategies that may address these particularly in the Foundation Phase. It is a case study of one public primary school in Grahamstown where isiXhosa is used as a medium of instruction until Grade 3, after which the medium of instruction changes to English. This transition is not helped by the little reading that happens in the language at the FP. The learners under study are Grade 3 isiXhosa first language speakers, learning English as a First Additional Language (FAL) with limited exposure to the language. Through a qualitative participatory action research process, the study investigated the extent to which a reading club in general and a responsive reading programme in particular, might develop learners' English vocabulary at this particular school. The value of reading clubs as a vehicle for second language learning as well as the importance of considering learner needs in the development of the reading programme are key contributions this study makes. The study draws on social constructivism as a theoretical framework based on the principle that learning is a social acitvity. Vygotsky (1978) states that language learning (LL) takes place through interactions in meaningful events, rather that through isolated language activities. The process is seen as holistic, that is, each mode of language supoorts and enhances overall language development. Furthermore, LL develops in relation to the context in which it is used, that is, it develops according to the situation, the topic under discussion and the relationship betwwen participants. Language also develops through active engagement of the learners. The role of the teacher or a more competent other is then seen as that of a facilitator in a learning context in which learners are viewed as equally capable of contributing to their learning through learning from and with each other (Holt and Willard-Holt, 2000). Vygotsky's theory of social interaction has been influential in highlighting the important role of social and cultural contexts in extending children's learning. The preliminary results of this study point toward the importance of the learning environment, particularly an informal environment in second language development. The results also highlight the need for learners (a) to be provided with opportunities to engage with meaningful and authentic texts, (b) to be allowed to make their own book choices, (c) to participate in large group, small group and individual activities to enable them to engage with a variety of texts, and (d) to confront vocabulary in a variety of ways through multiple texts and genres.
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Mngqibisa, Mandla Daniel. "The comparative case study of the use of English and isiXhosa as medium of instruction in a grade five class." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003336.
Full textAbstract:
The aim of this study was to compare the quality of oral interaction between a grade 5class and their teacher when either English or isiXhosa was used as medium ofinstruction in two different lessons and of their writing which arose out of the lessons. The research was carried out within the interpretive paradigm and took the form of a casestudy. The researcher took the stance of being a non-participant observer. A variety oftechniques were used to collect data, namely, piloting, video recording and transcribing lessons, observing and making field notes, questionnaires and an interview. The interview was recorded and transcribed by the researcher. The two lessons were transcribed and analysed. Also the learners’ writing was analysed. The findings of this study showed that learners have little competence in English compared to isiXhosa. As a result most of them used short and vague sentences when responding to and discussing pictures in English. They also used short and simple sentences when writing in English compared toisiXhosa. Although this is a small-scale study it is recommended that the school’s language policy is revised and teachers are equipped with necessary skills, which would help them teach English to second language learners effectively. It is also recommended that the learners’ first language continue to be well taught even if it is no longer the classroom language.
25
Bowers, Diane Lesley. "Grammatical constraints and motivations for English/Afrikaans codeswitching: evidence from a local radio talk show." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2006. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_7082_1190370125.
Full textAbstract:
<p>The study investigated the practice of codeswitching within the Cape Flats speech community of Cape Town. Members of this speech community have always been exposed to both English and Afrikaans in formal as well as informal contexts. Due to constant exposure to both languages, as well as historical and political experiences, members of the speech community have come to utilize both languages within a single conversation and even within a single utterance. Codeswitching is an integral part of the community's speech behaviour. The main purpose of this research was to uncover and analyze the motivations behind codeswitching in the bilingual communities of Cape Town, while also providing a strong argument that codeswitching patterns evident in their speech do not always correspond completely with linguistic constraints that are regarded as 'universal'.</p>
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Wood, Tahir Muhammed. "Perceptions of, and attitudes towards, varieties of English in the Cape Peninsula, with particular reference to the ʾcoloured communityʾ". Thesis, Rhodes University, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002018.
Full textAbstract:
This study set out to analyse the concept of the ʾcoloured communityʾ and to describe the linguistic phenomena associated with it. It was found that the community was characterized by division and an overt rejection of 'coloured' identity. A satisfactory definition of the community could only be arrived at by exploring social psychological and anthropological concepts, particularly that of the social network, and a covert identification was postulated. This in turn was used to explain the linguistic phenomena which were found to be associated with the community. The latter included a vernacular dialect consisting of non-standard Afrikaans blended with English, as well as a stratification of particular items in the English spoken by community members . This stratification was analysed in terms of the social distribution of the items, enabling comparisons to be made with the English spoken by ʾwhitesʾ. A fieldwork study was embarked on with the intention of discovering the nature of the perceptions of, and attitudes towards, the idiolects of certain speakers. These idiolects were considered to be typical and representative of the forms of English normally encountered in the Cape Peninsula, and were described in terms of the co-occurrences of linguistic items which they contained. Tape recordings of the speech of this group of speakers were presented in a series of controlled experiments to subjects from various class and community backgrounds who were required to respond by completing questionnaires. It was found that those lects which contained items and co-occurrences of items peculiar to 'coloured' speakers were associated with lower status than those containing items and co-occurrences of items peculiar to 'white' speakers. Attitudes towards speakers were found to be more complex and depended upon the styles and paralanguage behaviours of the speakers, as well as accent, and also the psychological dispositions of the subjects who participated
27
Harran, Marcelle. "A critical ethnographic study of report writing as a literacy practice by automotive engineers." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003357.
Full textAbstract:
This study describes the social practices involved in the situated activity of report writing in an engineering automotive discourse community in South Africa. In particular, the study focuses on the subjectivity of predominantly English Second Language (ESL) engineers writing reports by determining what literacy means to them and what meanings they give to dominant literacy practices in report writing, especially feedback in text production. In the South African engineering workplace, because of the diversity and complexity of language and identity issues, the appropriation of the required literacy skills tends to be multifaceted. This context is made more complex as English is the business language upon which engineering is based with engineering competence often related to English proficiency. Therefore, the study is located within the understanding that literacy is always situated within specific discoursal practices whose ideologies, beliefs, power relations, values and identities are manifested rhetorically. The basis for this critical theory of literacy is the assertion that literacy is a social practice which involves not only observable units of behaviour but values, attitudes, feelings and social relationships. As the institution’s socio-cultural context in the form of embedded historical and institutional forces impact on writer identity and writing practices or ways of doing report writing, notions of writing as a transparent and autonomous system are also challenged. As critical ethnography is concerned with multiple perspectives, it was selected as the preferred methodology and critical realism to derive definitions of truth and validity. Critical ethnography explores cultural orientations of local practice contexts and incorporates multiple understandings providing a holistic understanding of the complexity of writing practices. As human experience can only be known under particular descriptions, usually in terms of available discourses such as language, writing and rhetoric, the dominant practices emerging in response to the report acceptance event are explored, especially that of supervisor feedback practices as they causally impact on report-writing practices during the practice of report acceptance. Although critical realism does not necessarily demonstrate successful causal explanations, it does look for substantial relations within wider contexts to illuminate part-whole relationships. Therefore, an attempt is made to find representativeness or fit with situated engineering literacy practices and wider and changing literacy contexts, especially the impact of Higher Education and world Englishes as well as the expanding influence of technological and digital systems on report-writing practices.
28
Cornell, Carohn. "Script-writing for English second language classes in Cape Town : a contribution to liberatory education." Thesis, University of Cape Town, 1989. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/23676.
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Watermeyer, Susan Jean. "Afrikaans-English in the Western Cape : a descriptive socio-linguistic investigation." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 1993. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/21730.
Full textAbstract:
Bibliography: pages 181-189.<br>I have attempted to give a broad description of the variety of English used by first-language (White) Afrikaans-speakers in the Western Cape. The first chapter outlines the aims of the thesis with respect to the study of English as a world phenomenon. Important work on other varieties of English, notably that of William Labov and that of Lesley Milroy, is discussed, with emphasis on variationist studies. The chapter also includes a description of the methods used for the collection of data. I did not use questionnaires but rather conducted 'participation interviews'. A brief outline of the areas that the informants were selected from is given. Chapters 2 and 3 give the historical and sociolinguistic background of the Afrikaners. This is important, as without an understanding of their history and social circumstances one cannot appreciate their present attitudes to language. The formative history of the Afrikaners includes a description of the policies of the British government at the Cape at the beginning of the nineteenth century and the subsequent emergence of national identity among the formerly Dutch community. The establishment of such organisations as the Afrikaner Bond, the Broederbond and the Ossewabrandwag all contributed to the identity of the Afrikaners today. The final section of chapter 3 deals with speech communities as well as the concept of social class, as applied to the White South African community. There is a brief outline of the differences between the White and Coloured Afrikaans-speaking communities of the Cape. The third section of this thesis (chapter 4) concerns language: acquisition, in particular theories of second language acquisition. I have outlined the development of (White) education in South Africa, with particular reference to medium of education, and have included a brief description of second language teaching in South Africa today. Bilingualism and ,communication strategies are discussed and I have grouped the informants according to their individual level of proficiency in English. The use of code-switching and code-mixing techniques is also discussed in this chapter, with a brief look at the structural differences between English and Afrikaans. The last, and major, part of the thesis, chapters 5 and 6, is a detailed description of the phonology, syntax, morphology and lexis of Afrikaans-English. The features of this variety are compared to those of standard South African English. The presence or absence of features in the speech of the informants is discussed and indicated in the tables given; the core features, i.e. those that are found even in the speech of the most fluent speakers, are noted. It is also shown that although all the features are possible, no single speaker will have the full set of variables in his/her speech. The presence of the features discussed in this section in Afrikaans- English, Coloured English and other, non-South African, varieties of English is shown; the presence of a feature in non-South African varieties of English appears to reinforce the use of that particular feature in Afrikaans-English. It is shown that Afrikaans-English overlaps phonologically with the continuum of first language South African English at either end of the spectrum on the one hand the accent of Afrikaans- English has features in common with Extreme South African English and at the other, LI-fluency end, it is almost indistinguishable from Respectable South African English. Mention is also made of syntactic, morphological and lexical features that spill over into LI varieties of South African English. Finally, I have appended a brief outline of each of the four competence groups and have given annotated extracts from the data for each. I have also included a collection of the comments regarding language made by the informants.
30
Wright, Laurence. "English in South Africa : effective communication and the policy debate : inaugural lecture delivered at Rhodes University." Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 1993. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020752.
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Thiel, Louise. "Personal growth through classroom English : (What pupils say they get out of English teaching)." Thesis, Rhodes University, 1993. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003579.
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Guidance and counselling aims to promote the personal growth of the adolescent. However, in the current South African context, it is possible that formalised Guidance instruction and the post of the school counsellor may disappear in many schools as a result of economic rationalisation. If this occurs, the fostering of personal growth will rest with all teachers and it will be vital to utilise all available opportunities. The study of English is one of the areas traditionally seen to promote personal growth, as several aims of English teaching relate to such growth. The purpose of this study is to investigate from the pupil's perspective whether these aims are being fulfilled within 'Model C' CEO schools in order to gauge the potential of English teaching to fulfil the personal growth role of Guidance teaching. Pupils were asked what influence English teaching had on their attitudes and ideas towards life, on themselves and on their development as people. From the data, common themes were established and documented. These themes showed that important aspects of personal growth are indeed fostered by the English teaching of literature, poetry, written work, oral work and visual literacy. This study therefore confirms that English teaching does foster personal growth and that the potential does exist for English teaching to subsume some of the roles of Guidance.
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Yang, Ranran. "Changes in English writing in computer mediated communication a case study." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/452.
Full textAbstract:
This research study aims to identity the shifts in form and function of English writing in Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) and determine whether writing changed through CMC. It critically evaluates English writing in CMC in South Africa, and includes a case study of both synchronous and asynchronous forms of CMC. Chapter 1, outlines the problem concerning the changes of writing in both form and function in the present age of CMC. This chapter, also gives a detailed description and outlines the methodology of this study. Chapter 2, centres on the historical and theoretical aspects of writing using the work done by scholars such as McLuhan, Shlain and Baron. The literature is divided into two subsections. The research and theories highlights the importance and complexity of writing in human history. It also gives insight into understanding the impacts of different mediums on writing. This chapter similarly depicts an understanding in the use of writing to represent language, and in particular, how speech and writing divvied up communication functions in literature societies. Chapter 3, gives a detailed theoretical and critical outline of writing in the present age of CMC. Based on the nature of the computer medium, writing in CMC often has its own characteristics which can serve both developmental and social purposes. The aim of this chapter is to grasp an appropriate analogy through which to capture the changes the computer technology would engender in writing communication, and re-examine the relationship between writing and speech in CMC. Chapter 4, comprises of an empirical research study done in South African on-line discourse, focusing on the changes of writing in CMC. The hypothesis of this case study is that writing in CMC differentiates the conventional writing in a variety of ways. Therefore, the study looks at the particular writing style in CMC and determines whether computer-mediated writing is gradually becoming a mirror of speech. This chapter explains methodology and the process of data coding in this case study. It also includes a summary of the survey results, as well as a discussion of the findings from this case study. Chapter 5, includes a conclusion of this study and suggestions for further research. It is the hope of the researcher that this study will provoke questions and thoughts for further inquiries.
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Westphal, Vivian. "The dynamics of an emerging outcomes-based educational approach in a second language English classroom." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003384.
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Curriculum 2005 and outcomes-based education was introduced to South African educators in 1996 by the Minister of Education, Prof. S.M.E. Bengu as an alternative to the racially divided education system prior to the first democratic elections of 1995. The new curriculum was designed to transform the education system into a more equitable system by focussing on creating learners who would become creative thinkers, independent, productive workers and responsible, non-racial citizens. Learners would take a greater role in their own education and teachers would take on new roles as facilitators in the learning process. The new approach was introduced into grade 1 in 1998 and grade 2 in 1999. By using a modified ethnographic approach, this research project studies how one teacher has begun to think about Curriculum 2005 and implement an OBE approach to ESL teaching in a grade 2 classroom. It also focuses on gaining insights into how the teacher has attempted to make sense of the new curriculum in terms of her current practice and the training she has received in OBE. The ethnographic approach of the thesis has allowed the researcher to draw on many forms of data providing a holistic view. Tentative findings show that the teacher is experiencing difficulty in “unpacking” the underlying principles of OBE in terms of her current methods of teaching ESL. She continues to work from tacit knowledge. Because she has received very little training in OBE, she lacks the tools to become a more reflective practitioner. Despite this, her ESL lessons show a positive communicative approach to language teaching by focusing on stories, rhymes and songs as comprehensible input for the learners. The findings of this thesis tentatively suggest that unless teachers are given more adequate training and learning support materials, their classroom practices will remain relatively unchanged.
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Mncwango, Jabu Busisiwe. "An exploration of the discrepancy between classroom-based assessment and external summative assessment in English first additional language Grade 12." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/96945.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MEd)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Classroom–based assessment, also referred to as continuous assessment
(CASS), is a formal and important part of the evaluation of South African learners.
The weight attached to CASS varies according to the levels of grades. More
importantly, it is only in Grade 12 that CASS marks of all the learning areas or
subjects are combined with external summative assessment marks for a decision
of awarding a National Senior Certificate.
Continuous assessment (CASS) is formative in nature. This implies that learners
receive feedback on their performance throughout the year. The feedback learners
receive ought to prepare them well for the external summative assessment. If
learners have been prepared well for the external summative assessment, we
would expect their marks to be consistent with their level of achievement in CASS.
However, according to the Department of Education (2003c), having witnessed the
first year of CASS implementation in 2001, both national and provincial
examination authorities realised that the implementation of CASS was problematic
in certain schools. In the analysis of the 2001 and 2002 Senior Certificate
examination results by the South African Certification Council (SAFCERT), huge
discrepancies were found in certain schools between the raw CASS marks and the
adjusted examination marks of the same learners in a number of subjects. The
SAFCERT reported that in 2001 a total of 10 182 examination centres supplied
CASS marks that were more than 20% above the adjusted examination marks. This document-based study examines the extent of the discrepancies between
learners’ CASS marks and the marks they obtained in external summative
assessment. It also tentatively suggests possible reasons for the discrepancies.
To this end, this study compares scores for CASS marks of English First
Additional Language (ENGFAL) to scores for the same learners in the external
summative assessment. The documents recording learners’ CASS marks come
from four schools in Ilembe District, KwaZulu-Natal.
Although my mini thesis focuses on the extent of the discrepancy, my analysis
also makes some initial suggestions of some possible reasons for the
discrepancies between CASS and external summative assessment marks. These
tentative reasons are a lack of teacher knowledge in administering CASS; large
classes; the demanding administrative load of teachers; an interest in passing as
many learners as possible; not wanting to create tension, especially within small,
close-knit communities; and in many cases, generally dysfunctional schools.
My main suggestions for addressing the problem of discrepancies include:
providing better in-service training for teachers in regard to their knowledge of
subject content and assessment practices; making available to teachers an item
bank with samples of assessment questions and tasks; encouraging teachers to
become active participants of professional teacher organisations; encouraging
greater parental participation in informal assessment; and by establishing
assessment committees in schools. In addition, the government could appoint
more teachers to reduce overcrowded schools and classrooms, fund the
establishment of functional libraries, promote and monitor English as a medium of
instruction from as early as the Intermediate Phase.<br>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: ’n Ondersoek van die Teenstrydighede by Punte vir Deurlopende Evaluering en
Eksterne Summatiewe Assessering by Engels Eerste Addisionele Taal in Graad12
Deurlopende evaluering (DE) is ʼn formele en belangrike aspek by die evaluering
van Suid-Afrikaanse leerders. Die gewig wat aan DE toegeken word, varieer na
gelang van die vlakke van die onderskeie grade. Dit is belangrik om daarop te let
dat die DE-punte net in Graad 12 by al die leer areas of vakke gekombineer word
met eksterne summatiewe assesseringspunte om die toekenning van ʼn Nasionale
Senior Sertifikaat te bepaal.
Deurlopende evaluering (DE) is formatief van aard. Dit beteken dat leerders
gedurende die jaar deurlopend terugvoer ontvang oor hul prestasie. Die terugvoer
wat hulle ontvang, is veronderstel om leerders deeglik voor te berei vir die
eksterne summatiewe assessering. Indien leerders deeglik voorberei is vir die
eksterne summatiewe assessering, sou verwag kan word dat die punt wat hulle
behaal by die eksterne summatiewe assessering ooreenstem met die vlak van hul
prestasie by DE.
Volgens die Departement van Onderwys (2003c) is daar egter na die eerste jaar
van die implementering van DE in 2001 deur beide die nasionale en provinsiale
eksamenowerhede tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat die implementering van DE in
sommige skole probleme skep. By die analise van die 2001- en 2002-uitslae van
die Senior Sertifikaat eksamen deur SAFCERT is groot teenstrydighede by sommige skole opgemerk tussen die onverwerkte DE-punte en die aangepaste
eksamen punte van dieselfde leerders in ʼn aantal vakke. SAFCERT het verslag
gedoen dat ʼn totaal van 10 182 eksamen sentra in 2001DE-punte verskaf het wat
20% hoër was as die aangepaste eksamen punte.
Die doel van hierdie studie is om die omvang van die teenstrydigheid tussen die
punte wat leerders tydens DE behaal het en die punte wat hulle in eksterne
summatiewe assessering behaal het, te ondersoek. Die studie sal ook tentatiewe
voorstelle maak oor die redes vir die teenstrydigheid. Om dit te kan doen, sal ek
die DE-uitslae en die uitslae van die eksterne summatiewe assessering van
dieselfde leerders vir Engels Eerste Addisionele Taal vergelyk. Die leerders is
afkomstig van vier skole in die IIembe Distrik, KwaZulu-Natal.
Alhoewel my minitese op die omvang van die teenstrydigheid fokus, bied my
analise ‘n paar moontlike oorsake vir die afwyking tussen DE-punte en eksterne
summatiewe assessering aan. Dit kan tentatief toegeskryf word aan: ʼn gebrek aan
kennis by onderwysers oor die toepassing van DE, groot klasse, die veeleisende
administratiewe las op onderwysers, die strewe om soveel as moontlik leerders te
laat slaag om nie spanning veral in klein geslote gemeenskappe te veroorsaak nie
en oor die algemeen in baie gevalle bloot disfunksionele skole.
My belangrikste voorstelle om die probleem van teenstrydighede aan te spreek, is
om meer insette aan onderwysers te voorsien om sodoende hul kennis van
vakinhoud en assesseringspraktyke uit te brei, om ʼn item bank met voorbeelde
van assesseringsvrae en -take beskikbaar te maak, om onderwysers aan te
moedig om aktief deel te neem aan professionele onderwyser organisasies, en om groter ouerbetrokkenheid aan te moedig by informele assessering om
assesserings komitees in skole tot stand te bring. In aansluiting hierby moet die
regering meer onderwysers aanstel om die oorbevolking in skole aan te spreek,
die instel van funksionele biblioteke befonds en Engels as ʼn medium van onderrig
van so vroeg as die Intermediêre Fase bevorder en monitor.
35
Cheung, Sin-lin Isabelle, and 張善蓮. "A study of lexical errors in South-Asian Non-Chinese speakingchildren's writing." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2006. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B36863658.
Full text
36
Mogofe, Romulus Asaph. "Integrating language literacy skills in teaching physical sciences in Riba Cross District, South Africa." Thesis, University of Limpopo, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10386/1590.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (M. A. (Education)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016<br>Poor performance, by English Language Learners (ELLs), in Science examinations
remains a thorny issue in countries where English is not the home language.
Research around the world and the Department of Basic Education in South Africa
have long recommended the integration of Language Literacy skills in the teaching of
Physical Sciences in order to solve this issue. Despite that, learners’ poor
performance in Physical Sciences examinations has been found to be positively
related to low language literacy skills. The questions are: Do Physical Sciences
teachers integrate language literacy skills in teaching the subject?; If yes, to what
extent is the integration of language literacy skills practiced in Physical Sciences
classroom? In an attempt to answer the above questions, a quantitative survey was
carried out in Riba Cross District of Sekhukhune Region of Limpopo Province in
South Africa. 211 learners and five teachers from selected nine schools took part in
the study and questionnaires were used to collect data. Data were analysed using
descriptive and inferential statistics and the Statistical Package for the Social
Sciences (SPSS) version 22 was used. The results indicate that Language Literacy
skills are integrated into the teaching of Physical Sciences in Riba Cross District,
despite concerns raised by the teachers. The areas of concern include letting
learners to argue using evidences and writing reports. Furthermore, schools with
large classes have challenges in integrating Language Literacy Skills in the teaching
of Physical Sciences. Therefore, further studies are recommended which should
integrate both qualitative and quantitative approaches in school contexts.
37
Kobo, Mamorapeli Justinah. "Communicative language teaching : a comparison of the Lesotho form E (English) and South African grade 12 FAL (English) curricula." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/80370.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MEd)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.<br>Includes glossary of terms<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the study presented, two English curriculum documents were analysed, one from
South Africa and the other from Lesotho. The analysis was focused on English first
additional language curriculum documents for what is known as Grade 12 in South
Africa and Form E in Lesotho. The two curricula are both informed by
Communicative Language Teaching (CLT), with the concept
of
communicative
competence, which is the ability to use the linguistic system effectively and
appropriately, at its core. The two curricula are distinguished from each other
as
being locally developed (South Africa) and internationally developed (Lesotho)
curriculum documents.
Research contributions on the role that English plays in today‟s language learning
and teaching context introduce the study
.
An overview is provided of the
CLT
appr
oach
and the
essentials and difficulties perceived
in CLT
introduction in
Africa
and
particularly
Southern Africa.
Jacobs and Farrell‟s (2003) evaluative framework
for CLT is proposed as an indication of the extent to which CLT is evident in
curricula.
Ag
ainst this background, the question arises of how CLT is realised in English first
additional language curriculum documents for Grade 12 in South Africa
and
for Form
E
in Lesotho
.
In answering the question, a qualitative content analysis method that
sets in interpretivist paradigm is employed for analysis of the curricula, and coding is
applied using the evaluative framework proposed by Jacobs and Farrell (2003). The
analysis attempts
to
evaluate the two English first additional language curriculum
documents (curricula plans
). First,
an
exploration of the structures of the two
curriculum documents was done. Second, the evaluation of the curricula against
Jacobs and Farrell‟s (2003
:10
)
“
eight changes in language teaching and learning
”
followed. Third, the comparison of the two curricula was carried out. Evaluation and
comparison processes were carried out for the purpose of determining which of the
two curricula best realises CLT.
Reflecting on what is needed in the choice of English first additional language
curricula, the conclusion is reached that (a) curricula need to be explicit in describing
texts for language teaching, (b) they need to include oral and listening proficiency,
and (c) a locally developed curriculum realises the CLT elements better than
an internationally developed curriculum document. This means that learners‟ needs are
be
tter accommodated when local context and situations are in use. With this,
learners bring their learning experiences as close as possible to their own real-life
situations
and thereby contribute towards language development.<br>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie analiseer twee kurrikulumdokumente vir die onderrig van Engels: een
Suid-Afrikaans en die ander van Lesotho. Die analise fokus op Engels as eerste
addisionele taal kurrikula vir wat as Graad 12 bekend staan in Suid-Afrika en as
Vorm E in Lesotho. Beide kurrikula is in die Kommunikatiewe Taalonderrigtradisie
ontwikkel; ʼn tradisie wat vereis dat die taalstruktuur effektief in realistiese situasies
gebruik word. Die twee kurrikula word onderskei deur die feit dat die Suid-Afrikaanse
een plaaslik ontwikkel is en die Lesotho onderwyssisteem gebruik ʼn internasionaal
-
ontwikkelde kurrikulum, die Cambridge Overseas English Certificate.
Die studie word ingelei deur ʼn bespreking oor die r
ol wat Engels speel in die huidige
leer-
en onderrigkonteks. ʼn Oorsig word gegee van Kommunikatiewe Taalonderrig
(KTO), gevolg deur ʼn bespreking van die elemente en probleme wat ervaar word
met KTO in Afrika en in Suider-
Afrika in die besonder. ʼn Raamwerk,
voorgestel deur
Jacobs en Farrell (2003) vir die evaluering van KTO, word voorgestel as ʼn
aanduiding van die mate waartoe kurrikula die beginsels en praktyke van KTO
insluit.
Die probleem wat hierdie studie bestudeer is die mate waartoe KTO manifesteer in
die Graad 12 Engels Eerste Addisionele Taal kurrikulum in Suid-Afrika en in die
Vorm E kurrikulum, die Cambridge Overseas English Certificate, in Lesotho. Die
navorsingsbenadering is interpretatief en kwalitatiewe inhoudsanalise word gebruik
om die kurrikula te analiseer. Deur die raamwerk van Jacobs en Farrell (2003) te
gebruik, word dit moontlik om die twee kurrikulum dokumente te analiseer en te
vergelyk
. As ʼn eerste stap word die struktuur van beide dokumente bespreek, gevolg
deur ʼn evaluering van elke kurrikulum in terme van die agt veranderings in onderrig
en leer wat veronderstel is om KTO te karakteriseer (Jacobs en Farrell 2003:10).
Hierdie twee stappe is nodig om die finale vergelyking van die twee kurrikula te kan
doen sodat die mate waartoe hulle KTO manifesteer, aangedui kan word.
Hierdie analise kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat die Engels eerste addisionele
taalkurrikulum in Lesotho (a) duideliker riglyne moet verskaf vir die aard van tekste
wat vir Engels taalonderrig gebruik kan word, (b) dat hierdie kurrikulum mondelinge-
en luistervaardighede moet insluit en (c) dat die plaaslik-ontwerpte, Suid-Afrikaanse
kurrikulum beter rekenskap gee van KTO as die Cambridge Overseas English Certificate, die internasionaal-ontwikkelde dokument wat in Lesotho gebruik word. As
gevolg van die vergelyking met die Jacobs en Farrell raamwerk, blyk dit dat leerders
se behoeftes beter ondervang kan word wanneer plaaslike kontekste en situasies
gebruik word omdat leerders op hulle eie leerervarings kan staatmaak om hulle
taalvermoë te ontwikkel.
38
Brookes, Margaret Ann. "A case study of the language policy in practice in the foundation phase of schooling." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003323.
Full textAbstract:
This interpretative case study takes place in the foundation phase of a previously parallel medium school in the Eastern Cape. Learners from all three major language groups of the province (English, Xhosa and Afrikaans) are enrolled at the school. The study examines the language attitudes of teachers, parents and young learners and records their language practices in the classroom, the wider school environment and at home. Research carried out through this case study found that all stakeholders perceive English as the language of access to improved education and lifestyle. All young learners displayed a positive attitude to multilingualism and were keen to be able to speak all three provincial languages. The attitudes of their parents and teachers however differed from the learners and each other. The teachers and the English speaking parents were primarily concerned with the maintenance of the standards of English. The Afrikaans and Xhosa speaking parents were committed to their children developing proficient English language skills even if this meant supporting the development of their primary language and culture at home. Furthermore it was discovered that little attention had been paid to developing a school language policy in accordance with the new Language in Education Policy of July 1997. This policy promotes an additive approach to bilingualism and seeks to ensure that meaningful access to learning is provided for all children. By suggesting steps that could be taken by this school to develop their own language policy, the study highlights the necessity of recognising and remedying the gaps between policy and practice in the issue of language rights, identity and education in general.
39
Thobedi, Motsamai Alfred. "Communicative learning programmes for the English first additional language senior phase classrooms in the Free State province." Thesis, [Welkom] : Central University of Technology, Free State, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/215.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (Ph.d.) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2006<br>The research investigates the use of the Communicative Learning Programmes in the English First Additional Language (EFAL) Senior phase classrooms in the Free State province. During the turn of the twentieth century, syllabi were tools that were designed and provided by the Department of Education to the schools. Recent changes in education in South Africa now expect educators to design these learning programmes.
The Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS) details steps that educators can follow in order to design the learning programmes for their learning areas. Outcomes-Based Education encompasses the eight learning areas in the Senior phase, namely Languages, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Economic and Management Sciences, Social Science, Technology, Life Orientation, and Arts and Culture.
The learning area that this study focuses on is Languages. EFAL is one of the languages that form the learning area of Languages. EFAL comprises six learning outcomes that have to be interpreted by the educators and achieved by the learners by linking teaching and learning with the accompanying assessment standards.
Through the use of the communicative approach and co-operative strategies during group work, this study adds to the body of knowledge communicative learning programmes that Senior phase EFAL educators can use to assist and complement their current strategies.
40
Austin, Renee Winifred. "An ethnographic investigation into English across the curriculum with particular reference to first year primary history and geography at teacher training college level." Thesis, University of Cape Town, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/23147.
Full text
41
Hartman, Lorraine Mary. "The evaluation of an individualised language programme in two multicultural Standard 9 classes : a pilot study." Thesis, Rhodes University, 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003405.
Full textAbstract:
Two multicultural, mixed-ability Standard Nine classes (17 year olds) were selected for this pilot study. As they were half way through the Senior Secondary phase they had completed most of their English Language syllabus. There was a wide range of achievement in English in addition to which, fifteen of the thirty-nine pupils were English second language speakers. The teacher had to decide how to cope adequately with these differences in the subject English in general and in particular, in the Language component. A Language programme was devised, based on the prescribed textbooks. The pupils could work through the programme at their own pace and order and could consult the researcher during or after class time. The programme only covered the prescribed Language Study component and only a quarter of the total English time during an eight-week period (one term) was given to its completion. A Pre-test was set, the Senior Certificate Language examination paper of 1986, and the results analysed. The two classes were combined into one group and then randomly placed in the experimental and control groups apart from eight boys whose timetable requirements restricted them to being in the same group. The experimental and control groups were not matched. Aspects of Action Research were included in the design; pupils kept individual records; diaries were written by three pupils from each group and an independent observation was made of each group. A Post-test was administered (the 1989 Human Sciences Research Council examination) and this was followed by a questionnaire. The hypothesis, stated in null form, was: Pupils taught by individualised methods will not achieve better results than those taught by traditional methods. This hypothesis proved to be true. The experimental group, who achieved a better result in the pre-test maintained their lead over the control group but did not increase it. Neither group fared well on the post-test but the experimental group achieved a result slightly higher than the provincial average. The affective results were more positive, most pupils enjoying their autonomy and experiencing a sense of achievement despite their results in the post-test. A few preferred whole and small-group teaching, showing that the teacher needs to present the subject in more than one style. This small-scale experiment dealt only with one aspect of English teaching, but there is potential for development particularly with regard to the use of individualised programmes both for remedial and enrichment purposes. The innovative teacher in the multicultural classroom could use individualised programmes profitably as part of his teaching repertoire.
42
Cosburn, Ericha. "An exploration of the interaction between English language learning orientation and motivation among marketing students at an FET college." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003418.
Full textAbstract:
Student motivation in FET colleges in South Africa is generally considered to be underresearched. Seyfried (1998, p. 54) contends that "motivations of participants still receive too little attention in the planning of vocational programmes". In an attempt to explore how motivational variables interact with English language leaming, this mixed-method study focused on FET marketing students studying English as part of their three-year vocational qualification. In the first phase, three focus group discussions were conducted with students from the three levels in the programme - a total of 16 students. These interviews were transcribed and coded according to a theoretical model that was adapted from Domyei's Extended Framework of Motivation (1998). In the second phase, 195 questionnaires were distributed, of which 142 were used in the final analysis. The results of these were indexed according to the theoretical model. Initial data processing enabled the creation of two analytical models for use in data analysis - one to analyse focus group data and the other to analyse questionnaire data. The study found a link between instrumentality, integrativeness, identity and perceived motivational orientations. It was also clear that orientation did not automatically translate into motivation. Another link was found between self-worth, self-efficacy and goal orientation. Perceived L2 competence, self-concept and identity also interacted strongly: participants who saw themselves as most alienated from their culture, also saw themselves as more competent in the L2, than their peers who identified more closely with their own culture. A predictable link was found between linguistic self-confidence, willingness to communicate [WTC] and language use anxiety. What made this finding interesting was that participants seemed to fear being judged by native English speakers to a greater extent than being judged by their peers. Finally some factors emerged as detracting from motivation, while others played a contributing role. While this is to be expected, it was interesting to note which factors fell into which category.
43
Weimann, Alan Gilbert. "An analysis of problems arising out of English medium instruction of pupils in ten Ciskeian schools, with particular reference to geography in standard eight." Thesis, Rhodes University, 1987. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001408.
Full textAbstract:
Pupils in the Republic of South Africa in the T.B.V.C. States (Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei) are expected to commence study in all school subjects, except the first language (Xhosa, Tswana, Venda etc.) and the third language (Afrikaans), through the medium of English at the Std 3 level. English thus is the official medium of instruction for the greater part of the pupil's school experience. All examinations in all subjects (except those mentioned above) are set and answered through the medium of English. School textbooks from Std 3 upwards, in all subjects, are written in English. It is fairly safe to assert, therefore, that English should be the language life of the Higher Primary and Secondary School classroom. In 1953 a UNESCO report of proceedings of a conference held in 1951 maintained that the best medium for teaching a pupil was that of the mother-tongue. The report pleaded for mother-tongue instruction to be extended to as late a stage as possible in a pupil's school life (UNESCO 1953). While such a plea may be grounded on sound psychological and pedagogical reasoning, it is often ignored because of the realities existing within the educational system. The R.S.A. and the T.B.V.C. states are a case in point for as I have already mentioned, examinations, textbooks, and for that matter tertiary education at the post-matriculation level, all employ English as instructional medium. Pragmatism carries the day and the black pupil is compelled to use English. Other factors applicable to the South African context are the existence of many different ethnic groups, each with its own language, and the fact that a shortage of qualified and experienced teachers in many subjects and different levels within the schools has meant that often teachers whose first language is English are involved in teaching pupils from these various language groups
44
van, der Merwe Margaretha Maria. "English language proficiency of non-English speaking learners in the foundation phase of an English medium school : challenges and strategies." Thesis, Welkom: Central University of Technology, Free State, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/677.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (M. Ed. ) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2014<br>The aim of this study was to investigate the English Language Proficiency of non-English speaking learners in the Foundation Phases. An in-depth literature study was conducted to investigate this phenomenon. The historical background of language provision in South-African schools, the issue of language and cognition and different aspects of mother tongue education was touched on. The implicaitons of the current situation of the Language of Teaching and Learning (LoLT) for teaching and learning in South Africa was also covered. A qualitative research design and methodology were deemed appropriate to explore the challenges and strategies used by Foundation Phase teachers to enhance the English language proficiency of their learners. The research findings of the empirical investigation were presented in accordance with themes and categories that emerged from the data during the thematic analysis of the eight semi-structured individual interviews. The main concerns of the participants regarding the way to address challenges were presented. The complexity of this phenomenon pictured in my mind. The research findings lived up to my expectations and confirmed what was found in my literature study. Hence I came to realise that the experiences of the participating teachers were extremely important in reaching the conclusions of this research. The major research findings and meaningful issues came to light from the literature review and the empirical evidence. Finally recommendations are put forward for the consideration of Foundation Phase teachers, schools and the Department of Education (DoE) when dealing with the proficiency of their learners.
45
Rasana, Nomakhosazana Hazel. "The reading preferences of grade 11 ESL learners in Grahamstown." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003604.
Full textAbstract:
This survey investigates learners’ reading preferences in selected Eastern Cape secondary schools where English is taught as a second language. It seeks to understand the reading patterns and interests of Grade 11s, and the role played by parents, teachers, school and public libraries in promoting a love for reading. Focus group interviews and questionnaires were used to gather data over a period of six weeks. All Grade 11 learners from eight Grahamstown secondary schools where English is taught as a second language participated. Data was analysed using Biomedical Data Programme Statistical Software (BMDP). Chi-square (X ²) tests and t-tests for proportions were used specifically to determine significant differences in the groups (i.e. gender effect, schools and language effect). The data suggest that ESL Grade 11s: 1) do have preferred reading material; 2) have preferred authors; 3) have a preferred language they read in; and 4) read for information. Limited access to reading material affects their reading patterns and ability.
46
Hobson, Josephine Mary. "English communication in the hospitality industry: the employees' perspective." Thesis, Rhodes University, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002501.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this research project was to explore the English communicative competency of management and supervisory level employees within the South Mrican hospitality industry. The Pro lit English Written Assessment, a competency-based assessment tool, was used to establish a relatively objective measure of the English communicative competency of nineteen managers and supervisors. Thereafter thirteen of these respondents were interviewed to determine their perceptions of their English communicative competency and the impact thereof on their work situation, as well as their perceptions of their learning needs and recommendations for intervention. The researcher selected a multi-method approach to the investigation and sought both quantitative and qualitative data. The assessment revealed that the English reading and writing ability of the respondents is distinctly lower than their recorded education level and inadequate in relation to the tasks they are expected to perform at work. The interviews indicated that the respondents are not aware of their lack of English communicative competency or the implications thereof. However, the respondents expressed important insights into the factors that should be taken into account when planning an educational intervention III an organization. These included the need to incorporate English second language learning principles, to treat the learner as an individual, to involve the learner in the decision-making process, to consider the practical concerns of the learner and to ensure that the programme content is appropriate. Recommendations for human resource practices and research in the hospitality industry are presented.
47
Julius, Lukas Homateni. "Teaching writing to Grade 5 English language learners in two Grahamstown East schools, South Africa : a case study." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011989.
Full textAbstract:
The majority of learners in South Africa are not native speakers of English, yet English is the dominant language of learning and teaching (LoLT). South African teachers, therefore, have the challenge of ensuring that their learners' literacy skills in English are adequately developed so as to facilitate learning in other curricular areas. This study investigated the way in which two Grade 5 teachers employed at different primary schools in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa taught writing to their English first additional language (EFAL) learners. English is the LoLT at both schools. A qualitative interpretive approach was used to identify factors that shape the ways these teachers handle the teaching of writing. The theoretical framework was informed by Borg's model of teacher cognition (2003) Shulman's conception of teacher knowledge (1987). Data collection methods consisted of interviews, classroom observations and document analysis. In-depth interviews, comprising two semi-structured interviews, two post-lesson informal conversational interviews and one stimulated recall interview were conducted with each teacher. Five of each teacher's writing lessons were observed and audio and video recorded. Samples of learners' written work were also collected. Analysis of the data reveals that the two teachers' beliefs, their experiences as learners themselves and subsequently as teachers, impacted on their pedagogy, as did other contextual factors (including the support they received from subject advisors, time management, and the number and range of learners in their classrooms). It was found that both teachers focused primarily on ensuring that their learners completed their written work so that it could be marked and graded in response to demands from their superiors, rather than on engaging deeply with the processes of writing (brainstorming, drafting, revising etc). Not only does this run counter to the writing pedagogy recommended in the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS), but it also denies learners the scaffolding needed to help them develop the self-regulation skills needed to become independent writers. These findings demonstrate the need for assisting teachers to shift away from focusing only on learners' performance (testing and grading) towards a stronger emphasis on the process of writing. This would require that teachers develop a deeper understanding of the process/genre approaches to teaching writing advocated by CAPS.
48
Farmer, Jean L. "Language choices of English L1 learners in a Western Cape high school." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/2586.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MPhil (General Linguistics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.<br>This research focuses on the language repertoire, patterns of language use and language preferences
of learners from Afrikaans homes, who are registered in the English first language classes in a
particular Western Cape High School. Out interest is in how a profile of the linguistic resources of such
learners and the context in which their linguistic identity develops may contribute to a perceived
process of language shift in the bilingual/multilingual community where they learn and live. SCHOOL A
is multi-racial and multi-lingual, with a large component of "coloured" learners living in a nearby
predominantly-Afrikaans community. The thesis investigates the linguistic preferences and patterns of
language choice and language use of the selected group of learners across various domains, notably
at home, with relatives, at school, with peers and in their religious communities.
Data from various sources is presented and discussed in detail to illustrate the variety of language
skills of English L1 learners between the ages of 15 and 17 in Grades 10 and 11. This will give an
impression of how multilingual a given section of the local high school population is. The profile tests
whether home language or academic language has a greater influence on the later language choice of
learners whose parents use Afrikaans as home language and who have English as LOLT, meaning
that these learners possibly possess considerable skills in at least two languages.
The data was collected by means of limited access to school records, questionnaires filled out by
learners, interviews with a number of learners and a couple of parents of such learners. This gives a
very good impression of which languages learners know, which they used most, which they prefer
where the choice is between English/Afrikaans bilingualism, English only, Afrikaans only, or codemixed
Afrikaans/English). The thesis reports on the linguistic repertoire and preferences, and also on reasons
given by learners and parents for their selection of one or more of the various community languages in
the different domains. Consideration is given to the possible accommodation of these learners as first
language users of English which is largely a second language in the community, by other community
members and institutions such as school and church.
The critical interest of this thesis is to determine the nature and extent of perceived language shift in
this selected community of learners at a particular Western Cape high school, and to consider whether
such a shift is indicative of a more extensive process of marginalization of Afrikaans in a community
that historically had a strong Afrikaans identity.
49
Platt, Candice Lee. "A corpus-based investigation of Xhosa English in the classroom setting." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007613.
Full textAbstract:
This study is an investigation of Xhosa English as used by teachers in the Grahamstown area of the Eastern Cape. The aims of the study were firstly, to compile a 20 000 word mini-corpus of the spoken English of Xhosa mother-tongue teachers in Grahamstown, and to use this data to describe the characteristics of Xhosa English used in the classroom context; and secondly, to assess the usefulness of a corpus-based approach to a study of this nature. The English of five Xhosa mother-tongue teachers was investigated. These teachers were recorded while teaching in English and the data was then transcribed for analysis. The data was analysed using Wordsmith Tools to investigate patterns in the teachers' language. Grammatical, lexical and discourse patterns were explored based on the findings of other researchers' investigations of Black South African English and Xhosa English. In general, many of the patterns reported in the literature were found in the data, but to a lesser extent than reported in literature which gave quantitative information. Some features not described elsewhere were also found. The corpus-based approach was found to be useful within the limits of pattern-matching.<br>KMBT_363<br>Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
50
Rendel, Philip Boudewijn. "English language teaching and learning in the African preschool and educational achievement at grade 1: a case study." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002643.
Full textAbstract:
In 1998, seventy per cent of children in South Africa failed and had to repeat the Grade 1 year. This is the result of a number of factors, among them academic and cultural readiness for school. Many primary schools in South Africa teach through English, a language that is not the home language of the majority of learners. Despite recent legislation aimed at improving preschool facilities and teacher capacity, there has been insufficient consideration of which languages are taught and how they should be taught to children before they arrive at Grade 1. This study sets out to explore whether there is a relational link between preschool English language teaching and learning and subsequent educational achievement at Grade 1. It also sketches out possible recommendations for improving the teaching and learning of English in the sample schools. The study does not attempt to enter the debate over choice of language of teaching and learning (LoLT). In this longitudinal case study, four children from two different preschools, (one mainly isiXhosa medium and one English medium), were observed in their classroom environments over a period of four months. The following year, the same children were observed in their respective Grade 1 classrooms, all of which were English medium either entirely or to a degree. The parents of all four children were interviewed in their home environment, as were their teachers. The study found that there is a significant communication gap between preschool teachers and Grade 1 teachers. This was combined with a self-confessed need amongst some teachers for increased training in teaching through English. Low motivation and limited professional experience in some cases contributed to a preschool language-learning environment that lacked many of the factors identified as being essential for a positive learning environment in early childhood There was in addition a clear bias in many sites towards universality of ECD prinCiples with little regard for the hegemony of Western pedagogy, particularly in the area of literacy acquisition. The study concludes by suggesting some ways in which this situation could be improved in order to enable preschool children to cope better with the demands of Grade 1.