Thesis (M.A. (Language (Education)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / The impact of the switch in LoLT between Grade 3 and 4 has been the subject of much research in South Africa which results in grade 4 low pass rate. What constitutes a problem is that during this transition from Sepedi to English as LOLT, most learners are linguistically not ready to make this leap (Heugh, 2006; Maswanganye, 2010). The change of the language of learning and teaching from Sepedi to English in Grade 4 is problematical because of the challenges in adjusting to the use of English as LOLT (Macdonald, 1990; Alexander, 2005; Heugh, 2006; Maswanganye, 2010). The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of English First Additional Language on learners‟ academic performance in Grade 4 at a primary school. A qualitative research approach was adopted in this study due to the fact that this study was explanatory and descriptive in nature. This study used a qualitative case study research design and qualitative interpretive paradigm which allowed the researcher to gather information through observations and interviews. This study was guided by sociocultural theory developed by Vygotsky (1978) because it emphasizes that teachers can use strategies to create classroom conditions that foster learning by modeling, scaffolding and the development of the learners‟ zone of proximal development (ZPD). The study used inductive thematic data analysis method to analyse data collected from observation schedule and interviews. The findings showed that learners‟ hindrance concerning reading and writing in the English language is home based factors because of socioeconomic factors. This study shows that less teacher training also poses challenges to English reading development as they do not have sufficient knowledge on reading strategies to deal with the transition of grade 4 learners from Sepedi to English First Additional Language as a language of learning and teaching. The study recommends training of teachers on how to teach reading and implementation of additive or bilingualism for the subsequent language policy development in South African education system should be considered.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Education)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / This study explored the reading strategies employed by Grade 12 learners in Modjadji Circuit, Limpopo Province: Towards developing an intervention reading strategies in English First Additional Language. The research was undertaken in one public secondary school. The researcher focused on Grade 12 learners of the mentioned circuit. The study followed the qualitative approach, and a case study research design was selected. Interviews were conducted with 12 learners and three teachers who were purposively selected from one public school. Document analysis and observations were also used to collect data. The findings of the study showed that learners and educators employ reading strategies during the reading of English text. Learners employ the reading strategies to enhance their reading ability and to improve their reading skills. The following different reading strategies were found to be used, namely, activating background knowledge, main ideas, summarising, visualising, predicting, inferencing, questioning, monitoring-clarifying extensive strategy, intensive strategy, pre-reading, during- reading, post-reading, and peer-assisted strategy. It was also found that most learners experience problem of decoding English words correctly and that teachers always assist them to decode them well during reading. It was found that documents such as subject policy, school policy and school-time-table do not provide guidance on how to teach reading. The documents do not also guide teachers on how to implement reading strategies. The study recommends that the school time-table should consider including reading periods on the time table. All the mentioned policies above should provide guidance on how to implement reading strategies. The Department Of Education should encourage all schools to participate in a “Drop All and Read” competition. The study recommend that teachers employ different reading strategies to teach reading. Learners must also employ various reading strategies to improve their reading skills and to enhance their reading ability.

This study investigated the effects of incorporating English language teaching in Physical Sciences education. The sample was selected from Physical Sciences Grade 10 learners in a school in Mpumalanga Province and comprised an experimental group who were taught through a workbook that incorporated language teaching in science lessons and a control group who were taught via the normal textbook prescribed by the Department of Basic Education. Pre- and post-tests were administered to both groups and a sample of learners participated in a focus group interview. Two educators were also individually interviewed. The results revealed that incorporating language teaching in science lessons not only improves learners’ academic performance but also their comprehension skills, and encouraged the application of learner-centred methods of teaching. The study recommends that Physical Sciences textbooks include English language activities with the view of incorporating language teaching in Physical Sciences content lessons. / Science and Technology Education / M. Ed. (Natural Science Education)

The paradigm shift in teaching from the teacher-centred approach to the learner-centred approach in recent years has impacted on the way teachers go about their duties in the classroom. This paradigm shift necessitated this research with the aim of investigating how the Student Teams Achievement Division (STAD) technique can be used as a cooperative learning technique to teach EFAL in Kwazulu-Natal. The purpose of this study was to design a framework for the implementation of STAD as a cooperative teaching strategy for EFAL teachers by gleaning literature on teaching and learning, cooperative learning and STAD in chapters two to four of this study. Empirical research, by way of a survey and focus group discussions were also conducted in four out of the twelve districts in the Kwazulu-Natal Province to help solidify the framework designed in this study. In striving to get in-depth insight into this study, the post-positivist-constructivist paradigm, which calls for the mixed methods research design was employed for the collection and analysis of data. Specifically, the Likert scale survey questionnaire and focus group discussions were used to collect data, through the sequential mixed methods design for the quantitative and qualitative phases of this study respectively, from a sample of 220 respondents and twelve participants. The findings of this research indicated that the time spent in training teachers towards the implementation of the STAD technique was not adequate. That notwithstanding, it was indicative that teachers make efforts to implement the strategy in their teaching and the results proved to be very positive as the technique continues to help improve upon learners’ performances and builds in them qualities such as critical thinking skills, good discussion skills and positive collaborative learning. In the nutshell, the literature study, the findings of the empirical research and the recommendation of this study forms the basis for designing the framework for the implementation of STAD as a teaching strategy for EFAL teachers. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

The purpose of this study was to design components that should be included in a framework for the use of a classroom interaction approach as a strategy in teaching English as First Additional Language to enhance learners’ communicative competence in the primary schools. The previous research advocates that classroom interaction activities can provide opportunities for the facilitation of the additional language, as they encourage meaningful interaction in the target language and active learner participation. Moreover, a classroom interaction approach helps learners to construct their own learning while expressing themselves in the additional language. In the English First Additional Language (EFAL) settings, where it is an ongoing challenge to provide learners with practical learning and interactive learning opportunities, interaction activities such as discussion, storytelling, role-play, reading aloud and debate are seen as promising strategies, though there is superficial implementation of some of these activities in the Intermediate Phase EFAL classrooms. This multiple case study investigated the nature and scope of classroom interaction in teaching EFAL to enhance learners’ communicative competence. The study explored the teachers’ understanding of classroom interaction, teachers and learners’ beliefs and attitudes and the strategies used by the teachers in teaching EFAL in the classrooms. The research was undertaken at two public primary schools, but the focus was on the Intermediate Phase at Ekurhuleni North District of Gauteng Province. It was found that most of the teachers understood the classroom interaction approach but it was not implemented in some EFAL classrooms as teachers still use the teacher-centred method while learners remain passive receivers. The study recommends that EFAL teachers should be trained to implement the classroom interaction using the interactive activities in additional language and create a conducive teaching and learning environment that permits the learners’ participation; the schools should have a parental involvement policy as a means of encouraging parents to be involved in their children’s learning; policy makers should include debate as an interactive activity in the CAPS document teaching plans in order for the teachers to fully implement it; and parents should be trained on how to assist with homework tasks and take responsibility for their children’s learning. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

This study investigated the effects of incorporating English language teaching in Physical Sciences education. The sample was selected from Physical Sciences Grade 10 learners in a school in Mpumalanga Province and comprised an experimental group who were taught through a workbook that incorporated language teaching in science lessons and a control group who were taught via the normal textbook prescribed by the Department of Basic Education. Pre- and post-tests were administered to both groups and a sample of learners participated in a focus group interview. Two educators were also individually interviewed. The results revealed that incorporating language teaching in science lessons not only improves learners’ academic performance but also their comprehension skills, and encouraged the application of learner-centred methods of teaching. The study recommends that Physical Sciences textbooks include English language activities with the view of incorporating language teaching in Physical Sciences content lessons. / Science and Technology Education / M. Ed. (Natural Science Education)

The paradigm shift in teaching from the teacher-centred approach to the learner-centred approach in recent years has impacted on the way teachers go about their duties in the classroom. This paradigm shift necessitated this research with the aim of investigating how the Student Teams Achievement Division (STAD) technique can be used as a cooperative learning technique to teach EFAL in Kwazulu-Natal. The purpose of this study was to design a framework for the implementation of STAD as a cooperative teaching strategy for EFAL teachers by gleaning literature on teaching and learning, cooperative learning and STAD in chapters two to four of this study. Empirical research, by way of a survey and focus group discussions were also conducted in four out of the twelve districts in the Kwazulu-Natal Province to help solidify the framework designed in this study. In striving to get in-depth insight into this study, the post-positivist-constructivist paradigm, which calls for the mixed methods research design was employed for the collection and analysis of data. Specifically, the Likert scale survey questionnaire and focus group discussions were used to collect data, through the sequential mixed methods design for the quantitative and qualitative phases of this study respectively, from a sample of 220 respondents and twelve participants. The findings of this research indicated that the time spent in training teachers towards the implementation of the STAD technique was not adequate. That notwithstanding, it was indicative that teachers make efforts to implement the strategy in their teaching and the results proved to be very positive as the technique continues to help improve upon learners’ performances and builds in them qualities such as critical thinking skills, good discussion skills and positive collaborative learning. In the nutshell, the literature study, the findings of the empirical research and the recommendation of this study forms the basis for designing the framework for the implementation of STAD as a teaching strategy for EFAL teachers. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

The purpose of this study was to design components that should be included in a framework for the use of a classroom interaction approach as a strategy in teaching English as First Additional Language to enhance learners’ communicative competence in the primary schools. The previous research advocates that classroom interaction activities can provide opportunities for the facilitation of the additional language, as they encourage meaningful interaction in the target language and active learner participation. Moreover, a classroom interaction approach helps learners to construct their own learning while expressing themselves in the additional language. In the English First Additional Language (EFAL) settings, where it is an ongoing challenge to provide learners with practical learning and interactive learning opportunities, interaction activities such as discussion, storytelling, role-play, reading aloud and debate are seen as promising strategies, though there is superficial implementation of some of these activities in the Intermediate Phase EFAL classrooms. This multiple case study investigated the nature and scope of classroom interaction in teaching EFAL to enhance learners’ communicative competence. The study explored the teachers’ understanding of classroom interaction, teachers and learners’ beliefs and attitudes and the strategies used by the teachers in teaching EFAL in the classrooms. The research was undertaken at two public primary schools, but the focus was on the Intermediate Phase at Ekurhuleni North District of Gauteng Province. It was found that most of the teachers understood the classroom interaction approach but it was not implemented in some EFAL classrooms as teachers still use the teacher-centred method while learners remain passive receivers. The study recommends that EFAL teachers should be trained to implement the classroom interaction using the interactive activities in additional language and create a conducive teaching and learning environment that permits the learners’ participation; the schools should have a parental involvement policy as a means of encouraging parents to be involved in their children’s learning; policy makers should include debate as an interactive activity in the CAPS document teaching plans in order for the teachers to fully implement it; and parents should be trained on how to assist with homework tasks and take responsibility for their children’s learning. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

This study, which explores the challenges of everyday English language words in learning physical sciences in Gauteng-East townships secondary schools highlights the difficulties that learners encounter in learning and developing scientific concepts and vocabulary. The study was conducted in four township secondary schools. A questionnaire consisting of 25 multiple choice items, as well as a semi-structured interview were used to collect data for this study. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse quantitative data while qualitative protocol was used to analyse qualitative data. The overall percentage mean scores of correct responses in the questionnaire for schools W, X, Y and Z were 47.2%, 56.9%, 55.2% and 57.2% respectively, which indicated that participants in the study have limited knowledge of everyday English words, when used in a science context. There was no significant gender discrepancy in terms of performance. In-depth analysis of the results revealed that the underlying difficulties were as a result of participants’ relative levels of proficiency in the English language, lack of precision in the use of this language, misreading, and confusion in terms of the use of words. Furthermore, the results were consistent with earlier findings from other countries as reported by various authors. The findings will contribute to knowledge about effective classroom instruction and teacher education from the perspective of language in science. / Kulolu cwaningo, kuhlolwa izinselelo zokusebenzisa amagama asetshenziswa nsuku zonke welimi lwesiNgisi ekufundeni iSayensi ezikoleni zezinga lesibili, emalokishini wabantu abaNsundu empumalanga neGauteng. Kuvezwa ubunzima obuhlangabezana nezingane zesikole ekufundeni nokuthuthukisa umqondo weSayensi nesilulumagama. Uphenyo lwenziwe ezikoleni ezine zasemalokishini. Imibuzo yayiquketwe izinhla ezingamashumi amabili nanhlanu lapho obuzwayo ezikhethela impendulo ekuyiyo, kanye nesinga nhlolokhono yasetshenziwa ukuthola ulwazi oluningi mayelana nalolu phenyo. Izibalo ezichazayo zisetshenziswe ukuhlola ubuningi, kanye nobuqotho kulandelwa umgudu wocwaningo wolwazi olutholakele. Kuvelile emva kophenyo ukuthi izimpendulo ezishaye emhlolweni ngokwamaphesenti kuzikole W,X.Y kanye no Z ngu 47%, 56,9%, 55.2%, kanye 57.2% ngokulandelana kwazo. Lokhu kubonisa ukuthi, abantwana banolwazi oluncane kakhulu ekusebenziseni amagama wesiNgisi asentsheziswa nsukuzonke ukufunda iSayensi. Kubuye kwatholakala futhi nokuthi awukho umehluko ohlukanisa ngobulili babafundi ophawulekayo ngokusebenza kwamagama esiNgisi. Kuphinde kuvele futhi ngokuhlaziya okunzulu, ukuthi kukhona ukwentuleka kwekhono elimini lesiNgisi, nokuthi abafundi abakwazi ukusebenzisa amagama ngendlela eqondile, babuye bafunde ekungeyikho, kanye nokudideka uma besebenzisa amagama. Okunye futhi okuvelayo, yikuthi lemiphumela ihambisana ncamashi neminye imiphumela evela kwamanye amazwe njengoba kubikwe abalobi abahlukene. Lokhu okuvelayo kuzosiza ukulungisa ukufunda kanye nokuqeqesha othisha, mayelana nukufundisa iSayensi ngolwimi lwesiNgisi. / Hierdie studie, wat die uitdagings van alledaagse Engelstalige woorde in die leer van Fisiese Wetenskappe in sekondêre skole in informele woonbuurte in Gauteng-Oos verken, beklemtoon die uitdagings wat leerders teëkom in die leer en ontwikkeling van wetenskaplike begrippe en taalgebruik. Die studie is uitgevoer in vier sekondêre skole in informele woonbuurte. ‘n Vraelys bestaande uit 25 veelvuldige-keuse items, tesame met ‘n gedeeltelike-gestruktueerde onderhoudskedule, is gebruik om data in te versamel vir hierdie studie. Beskrywende statistiek is gebruik om kwantitatiewe data te ontleed, terwyl kwalitatiewe protokol aangewend is om kwalitatiewe data te ontleed. Die algehele persentasie gemiddeldes van korrekte response op die vraelys vir skole W, X, Y en Z was 47.2%, 56.9%, 55.2% en 57.2% onderskeidelik, wat aangedui het dat die deelnemers aan die studie beperkte kennis gehad het van alledaagse Engelstalige woorde om in ‘n wetenskaplike konteks te gebruik. Geen noemenswaardige geslagsongelykheid in terme van prestasie is bevind nie. Indiepte ontleding van die bevindinge toon dat die onderliggende uitdagings die resultaat van deelnemers se relatiewe vlakke van taalvaardigheid in Engels, ‘n gebrek aan presiesie in die gebruik van die taal, gebrekkige leesvaardigheid en verwarring rondom die gebruik van woorde weerspiëel. Die resultate was verder in lyn met vroeëre bevindinge van ander lande, soos deur verskeie outeurs gerapporteer. Die bevindinge sal bydra tot kennis rondom effektiewe klasonderrig en onderwysersopleiding uit die oogpunt van wetenskaplike taalgebruik. / Science and Technology Education / M. Ed. (Natural Science Education)

Abstracts in English, Sesotho and Xhosa / Through learner progression in South African primary and lower secondary public schools, many learners proceed to the Further Education and Training (FET) Phase without proficiency in English First Additional Language (EFAL), the language of learning and teaching (LoLT). Compelled by this challenge, this multiple-case study aimed to explore the lived experiences of grades 10 and 11 teachers in teaching progressed learners to enhance communication proficiency in EFAL. The study was informed by a qualitative research approach, embedded in a constructivist paradigm, guided by Vygotsky (1978) social development theory. Observations and one-on-one, semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from a sample frame of five grades 10 and 11 EFAL teachers in selected rural secondary schools and thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Findings revealed that in this era where learner diversity requires differentiated teaching that appeals to the needs of diverse learners, teachers hold on to the past training one-size-fits-all teaching methods. Consequently, teachers experience challenges related to lack of exposure to teach complex grades of able and progressed learners together. Among others, recommendations are made to policy makers that the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) for EFAL be aligned with the needs of diverse learners. The EFAL teachers should also engage in a culture of reading and lifelong learning to empower themselves professionally in order to overcome challenges in the inclusive teaching of able and progressed learners who have barriers to learning the language. / Ka leano la ho fetisa baithuti leha ba sa atleha likolong tsa mathomo, le tse mahareng Africa Boroa, baithuti ba bangata ba fetela mokhahlelong oa thuto e phahameng ntle le bokhoni ba puo ea mantlha ea Senyesemane, puo ea ho ithuta le ho ruta. Ka ho susumetsoa ke qholotso ena, lipatlisiso tsena li entsoe ho hlahloba boiphihlelo ba mesuoe ea sehlopha sa leshome le leshome le motso o mong, ho ntlafatsa tsebo ea ho ruta ka Senyesemane. Boithuto bona bo ile ba etsoa ka lipatlisiso tsa boleng tse kenelletsang tataiso le khopolo ea ntšetso-pele ea sechaba ea Vygotsky (1978). Litebello le puisano tse hlophisitsoeng le mosuoe kapa mosuoetsana ka mong, li sebelisitsoe ho bokella lintlha ka ho qotsa le ho batlisisa ho mesuoe e mehlano ea puo ea mantlha likolong eleng Senyesemane. Ho khethiloe lihlopha tse bohareng le hlahlobo ea mantlha e sebelisitsoe ho shebisisa liphuputso. Se senotsoeng ke liphuputso tsena ke hore nakong eona ena eo barutoana ba hlokang thuto e ikhethang, e ipapisitseng le litlhoko tsa boiphihlelo ba bona, mesuoe e bonahala e tsitlalletse mokhoeng oa khale oa ho ruta, o nkang joalokaha eka barutuoa bohle bana le boinahano le boiphihlelo bo tšoanang. Ka lebaka leo, mesuoe e tobana le bothata ba ho ruta ka boiphihlelo baithuti ba atlehileng le ba fetisitsoeng ha ba kopa-kopane ka litsebo tse arohaneng. Mehato e nkiloeng ka boithuto bona e kenyeletsa ho eletsa baetsi ba manene-thuto hore Tokomane ea Leano la Lenane-thuto ea puo ea Senyesemane ea pele e lokele ho arabela litlhoko tsa baithuti ka bokhoni ba bona bo fapaneng, ‘me mesuoe e lokela ho ikoetlisa ho-ea-ho-ile e le ho ichorisa le ho itlhahlella thutong ea senyesemane e kenyelelitseng baithuti bohle le ba fetisitsoeng ba e-na le bothata ba puo ena. / Ngokuqhubela phambili kwabafundi kwzikolo zikarhulumente eziziiprayimari nezizezantsi ezikarhurumente, abafundi abaninzi baya kwinqanaba leMfundo ePhakamileyo noQeqesho ngaphandle kobuchule besiNgesi uLwimi lokuQala oLongezelelweyo, ulwimi lokufunda nokufundisa. Benyanzelwe ngulo mngeni, esi sifundo sinamacala amaninzi sijilise ekuhloleni amava aphilayo ootitshala beBanga le-10 nele-11 ekufundiseni abaqhubela phambili abafundi ukomeleza ubuchule bonxibelelwano kulwimi olongezelelweyo lesiNgesi. Olu phononongo lwalwaziswe ngendlela yophando olusemgangathweni, olungeniswe kwiparadise yabafundi, ekhokelwa yithiyori yophuhliso lwentlalo yaseVygotsky. Ukuqwalaselwa, udliwanondlebe olwenziwe ngamnye ngamnye eyakhelweyo, nohlalutyo lwamaxwebhu kwasetyenziswa ukuqokelela idatha kwisakhelo sesampula yootitshala abaLwimi abahlanu abakwiBanga leShumi elinanye ku-11 kwizikolo eziziisekondari ezikhethiweyo, kwaye nohlalutyo lobugcisa lwalusetyenziselwa ukuhlalutya idatha. Iziphumo zophando zibonisa ukuba ngeli xesha apho ukwahluka kwabafundi kufuna ukufundiswa okwahlukileyo okubonakalisa iimfuno zabafundi abahlukeneyo, ootitshala babambelela kuqeqesho lwangaphambili ngokweendlela zokufundiisa. Ngenxa yoko, ootitshala bafumana imiceli mingeni enxulumene nokungafikeli ekufundiseni amabanga anobunzima abafundi abakwaziyo nokuqhubela phambili kunye. Phakathi kokunye, izindululo zenziwa kubaqulunqi bomgaqo-nkqubo zokuba iNkcazo yoMgago-nkqubo woVavanyo lweKharityhulamu yolwimi lwesiNgesi oLongezelelweyo mayihambelane neemfuno zabafundi abahlukeneyo, kwaye ootitshala kufuneka bazixhobise kangangoko ukufunda ukuze bazixhobisele ukukwazi ukufundisa abantwana ngokwale mfundo iqukayo. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)