M.A. (Applied Linguistics) / There is widespread concern regarding the second language communicative competence of first year university students. This inadequacy has necessitated the introduction of special language courses at various universities. After eleven years of second language study, and the attainment of good matric symbols, many students are still not able to converse adequately. Teachers using cramming methods, especially with regard to the prescribed books, are often blamed for this. In this study an attempt is made to demonstrate that the particular nature of literature makes it a valuable adjunct in the process of language acquisition. Through this medium students can gain insight into the cultural-set and world-view ·of those whose language he is studying - hence the requirements for both psycho- and socio-linguistic input are satisfied. Recent theories regarding language acquisition place particular emphasis on the role of the student in the learning process: Internal factors inclUding attitudinal and personality tendencies are particularly.relevant in this context. The most important external factor is the nature of the input itself for this to effect an optimal impact on the internal aspects of a student specific requirements must be met, the most important criteria being interest-value and comprehensibility. In order to determine whether standard nine and ten setbooks.

M.Ed. / The aim of the research is to establish whether literature can play a role in enlightening South African students to the cultural values and beliefs of the various racial and ethnic groups of South Africa. The long and short term influence of literature has to be established and evaluated. A report of the effectiveness of this endeavour could serve to provide opportunity for students to acquire knowledge of each other and to further share in meaningful . communication so that the alienation that has been created between them and the differences in their perceptions can be bridged. The impact of literature in reconciling students from the different race groups could furthermore be of interest to the school principal, the teachers and the students.

M.A. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Ed. / The language policy of South Africa recognises 11 official languages, all of which have been given equal status, but many of these languages are hardly being promoted in schools and public life. It is clear that the status of Afrikaans, for one, is gradually dwindling. The reading of literature is an important factor in sustaining and promoting the vitality of a language. The aim of this study is to find out what the reading preference of Black adolescents in the rural area of Majemantsho in Mafikeng in the North West Province is. For this aim to be achieved, an interpretative design was applied and the qualitative data collection method used, which includes interviews. The major finding of this investigation is that these teenagers like to read literature, but with the proviso that the texts have to do with what is currently happening in their lives and can help them to solve their life problems. They also prefer to read about characters that are role models, for example, heroes, celebrities, public figures and characters of their own age group. The main implications of these findings are: There is a need for teenagers to be given a chance to choose literary texts. There is a need for some form of communication between the Department of Education, writers, publishers, educators, librarians, teenagers, and all other stakeholders involved in the choice of adolescent literary texts. Teachers of literature should also improve their methods of teaching literature. Afrikaans literature lessons like those in other languages should be kept stimulating and relevant to their target group

The reading of literature is rarely practiced in our high schools today yet many studies have shown that voracious, free, voluntary reading improves students' grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and composition. The demands of our present day economy require higher literacy rates of our citizens if businesses are to compete successfully in the international marketplace. However, the majority of high school students do not or cannot make time to read for pleasure. The purpose of this study is to ascertain if English 9 students and transitional English students would welcome a reading program as part of their course work. I selected School District # 43 (Coquitlam's) A Literature Based Individualized Reading Program because it has been used successfully in the district's elementary and middle schools and because it allows teacher-librarians to actively promote the reading of literature, beyond their more traditional role of book displays and booktalks. A questionnaire was administered by the teacher-librarian/researcher to three classes at the end of the six week program asking students to give their opinions on those aspects they liked and disliked about the program. Two teachers who also took part give their opinions as well. Major findings indicate that a reading program is acceptable to most students i f some alterations are made to the design of the unit. English 9 students educated in Canadian classrooms prefer more choice in reading materials and fewer written assignments that interfere with their readings. Entry level English as a Second Language, or transitional English students, need more support than our modified program gave them. The more advanced transitional English (TRAN) students handled the demands of the program quite well. A reading unit at the secondary level, then, must be simplified and tailored to the needs of specific groups before it is accepted by a majority of teachers and their students. / Education, Faculty of / Language and Literacy Education (LLED), Department of / Graduate

O objetivo desta pesquisa é investigar a aplicação de sequência de leitura, de maneira a identificar possíveis avanços no processo de formação leitora do aluno de Ensino Médio, considerando o uso autônomo e eficaz de estratégias de leitura. O planejamento das atividades da sequência, que constituem a empiria da investigação, tem como base os pressupostos metodológicos de Cosson (2014), no que concerne à elaboração de sequência expandida, e a metodologia norte-americana de ensino de estratégias de leitura, proposta por Harvey e Goudvis (2007). Além disso, permeiam o estudo as concepções de literatura, enquanto um “direito de todo cidadão”, promulgada por Candido (1972, 1995), de experiência, como elemento presente na atividade de leitura, conferida por Larrosa (2002), e as concepções de mediação e interação, como fundamentais para o desenvolvimento cognitivo e para a aprendizagem, sustentadas por Vigotski (1996, 2009). Trata-se de pesquisa-ação, realizada em 2015, com alunos de uma turma de 1º ano de curso técnico integrado ao Ensino Médio, de instituição pública, em Farroupilha-RS. Os resultados da pesquisa, construídos a partir de questionários e tarefas escritas realizadas durante a aplicação da proposta de ensino criada pela pesquisadora, apontam para avanços no desenvolvimento das habilidades de leitura dos alunos investigados, indicando correlações entre as características de leitores autônomos e as estratégias por eles utilizadas. A análise dos resultados evidencia a maneira como os pesquisados, a partir da mediação do professor e da interação com o outro, vivenciaram o texto e se apropriaram das estratégias de leitura. Percebe-se que os sujeitos conceberam o texto literário como um instrumento que oportuniza possibilidades de conhecimento humano e alternativas para a libertação pessoal, contribuindo para o desenvolvimento de sua competência leitora. / The aim of this research is to investigate the application of reading sequence in order to identify possible improvements in the reading formation process of High School students, considering the independent and effective use of reading strategies. The activities of the sequence, which constitute the empirical research, were planned under the methodological assumptions of Cosson (2014), regarding the elaboration of expanded sequence, and the American methodology of teaching reading strategies, proposed by Harvey e Goudvis (2007). In addition, the theoretical foundation of this study is constituted by the concepts of literature, as "human beings’ right", promulgated by Candido (1972, 1995), experience, as an element presented in reading activity, conferred by Larrosa (2002), and the concepts of mediation and interaction as fundamental to cognitive development and to the learning process, supported by Vigotski (1996, 2009). This study is an action research, conducted in 2015, with students of a first year class of a technical course integrated to High School, of a public institution, in Farroupilha-RS. The study results, constructed from questionnaires and written tasks performed during the implementation of the teaching proposal created by the researcher, indicate to advances in the development of reading skills of the investigated students, indicating correlations between the characteristics of independent readers and the strategies they use. The analysis evidences how the students, from the teacher’s mediation and the interaction with others, experienced the text and appropriated the reading strategies. It is noticed that the individuals investigated conceived the literary text as a tool that provides an opportunity of human knowledge and alternatives for personal liberation, contributing to the development of their reading competence.

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Whole language philosophy

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