Thesis (MPhil (Modern Foreign Languages))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / It is widely recognized that learning to read is one of the most crucial learning processes in which children are involved at primary school. However, becoming a proficient reader is not equally easy for all learners. When it comes to the development of reading comprehension many children appear to have persistent problems. In order to meet the reading needs of students in the 21st century, educators are pressed to develop effective instructional means for teaching strategies to improve reading comprehension. The ability to read academic texts is considered one of the most crucial skills that students of English as a Second Language need to acquire. Reading comprehension has become the “essence of reading” (Dreyer & Nel, 2003:349). Literacy, and more specifically reading, is one of many areas where research has provided evidence of the potential impact of technology such as multimedia and hypermedia. If one looks broadly at the issue of technology and literacy, one of the more rewarding issues for educators is the role of technology in literacy acquisition and instruction, especially for primary grade learners (Pearson et al, 2005:3). This study aims to support the growing trend of an increasingly “paired” literacy, namely that of general literacy and computer (or technological) literacy. The study proposes that through implementing an overall blended-learning methodology for teaching learners how to use reading strategies, it will be possible to improve learners’ general reading comprehension levels.

Thesis (MPhil (Modern Foreign Languages))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / The continuing decline in Matriculation pass rates is a matter of concern for government, educators, parents and students in South African schools. According to official statistics, only 8% of South Africans are mother-tongue English speakers, yet English is the chief language of learning and teaching in South African schools. Researchers relate the poor pass rate to inadequate proficiency in English of both English First Additional Language learners and some of their teachers. Research has further revealed a significant positive correlation between reading comprehension and academic achievement. Consensus exists among researchers about the necessity of a basic vocabulary (variously estimated at 2000 to 3000 words and more) for developing the necessary reading comprehension. Theories and approaches regarding the development of vocabulary, however, are sometimes diametrically opposed to one another. Among the most conflicting theories are those which advocate the acquisition of vocabulary by guessing the meanings of words from the context as opposed to those favouring conscious and deliberate vocabulary teaching, which may include lists of words. The current study briefly investigates underlying problems, theories, methods and approaches to enhancing learners’ vocabularies. Conclusions are applied to the development of an interactive, multimedia program for improving learners’ functional vocabularies. The content of the program is based on authentic texts and simulations of situations which call for language interaction. This is supplemented with extracts from classical literary works and poetry and entertaining verses which present possibilities for use in vocabulary building.

Thesis (MPhil (Modern Foreign Languages))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / The evaluation and selection of software is a complex undertaking best performed by those with applicable specialised skills and knowledge. When it comes to a field like CALL, which draws on the theory and best practice of a variety related disciplines, language teachers in the South African FET sector are unlikely to possess those specialised skills and knowledge beyond language learning content. In an effort to make the evaluation and selection of CALL software a more productive process, the literature pertaining to the components that constitute CALL and the South African FET context was reviewed. Based on this an evaluation framework was developed incorporating all the crucial contextual elements. The choice of a framework as opposed to a checklist was motivated by a need to reflect context at a variety of levels, combined with the flexibility allowing customisation for use in a variety of language learning settings.