Department of Literature and Philosophy

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Browsing Department of Literature and Philosophy by Subject "African languages -- Influence on English"

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    Perspectives on the use of English as a medium of instruction in selected schools in Amathole West District, Eastern Cape
    (University Of Fort Hare, 2023-11) Makhohlisa, Ncebazakhe; Zhou, Sindiso
    This study explored perspectives on the use of English language as a medium of instruction in selected primary schools in Amathole West district. The objectives of the study were to establish the challenges and benefits of using English as a medium of instruction in schools to determine learning outcomes associated with the use of the English language as a medium of instruction and to explore teachers strategies of addressing the linguistic gap to improve learners access to knowledge. The study used the socio educational model and social psychological model as the theoretical framework guiding the study. The study employed the qualitative research method. Data were collected from four primary schools. Sixteen teachers were interviewed eight lessons were observed and sixteen teachers mark lists were analysed. The study established that when learners start grade four they are not sufficiently prepared to learn in English and that is reflected in their poor performance. Moreover content subject teachers are not provided with departmental programmes specifically aimed at training them to be able to teach in English. Therefore teachers innovatively interface English and the local indigenous language IsiXhosa through code switching to mediate understanding. Furthermore the study established that overcrowded classrooms lack of reading materials in schools and poor literacy levels derail learners from acquiring English language skills competently. The study recommends the establishment of departmental workshops which aim at capacitating teachers with language skills the review of the current language policy strategic use of indigenous languages alongside English in the classroom and the provision of sufficient materials to support learning and teaching.,Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2023