This thesis is a narrative account of how I have transformed my learning and teaching strategies for Grade 9 learners, generating my own living theory of teaching within a social context with the aim of enabling my learners to construct their own knowledge. My value-embedded practice is reflected in the values I attach to equality, inclusivity, social justice and basic human rights. These embodied values are also a reflection of my commitment to my Christian values which encompass my entire existence and have become the living standards by which I judge the quality of my research. My classroom-based action research methodology is a living transformational process which heralds a change for a more just practice and the inclusion and recognition of the individual. My findings about my learners’ and my own learning offer new conceptualisations about the capacity of my learners to learn in their own unique ways and according to their own potential. I am claiming that the significance of my research is grounded in my ability to demonstrate how I can unleash the untapped potential of learners failing to attain the desired outcomes. I show them how to learn confidently and successfully within a social context using prior knowledge, scaffolding and motivation as teaching and learning tools. This has potential inspiration for new forms of practice and theory in aiming to improve learners’ potential. A significant feature of my account is how my Christian values have been translated into my critical epistemological standards of judgement, and the development of a living theory of practice that enables me to account for educational influences in my learners’ and my own learning.

M. Tech. Language Practice

The aim of this study was to investigate reading difficulties as barriers to learning experienced by learners entering the intermediate phase. The researcher conducted an in-depth literature study and by means of a qualitative research approach, empirical data were collected through individual interviews, observations and document studies. The findings revealed a number of common themes on the impact of reading difficulties and the factors that may cause these difficulties. The research findings revealed that in order to prevent reading difficulties as barriers to learning, the essential components for reading development must be acquired effectively, the role of the teacher and the parent are crucial and the early identification and remediation of reading difficulties is paramount. Resulting from the findings in the empirical investigation and in correlation with the findings from literature, the researcher made recommendations regarding strategies to reduce reading difficulties. / Education / M.Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Early reading instruction and identification of learners with reading problems prevent reading difficulties in the Intermediate Phase. The specific aim of this study is to explore the role of the Intermediate Phase educator to assess the learners’ reading skills by using observation and assessment activities, in order to identify learners with reading problems. The literature study on reading activities explored the letters of the alphabet, phonemic awareness, spelling, word- recognition, assessment and word-knowledge. The qualitative research was conducted empirically in the form of a case study of one learner from the South African public primary school based in Ikageng location, Potchefstroom. The role of the Intermediate Phase educator is to develop and administer the reading activities, observe a learner when he or she recites; writes and identifies the letters of the alphabet; segment words to show his or her phonological awareness skill; spell words in the dictation test including any written activity; and reads aloud the single written words to test his or her word recognition ability. The themes that emerged from the empirical study are as follows: difficulty in sequencing written letters of the alphabet, inability to segment words, spelling problems and word recognition problems. The study indicated that the participant’s reading problems are based on an inability to decode single words. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Educational Psychology)

Literature indicates that there is a national outcry about learners who read below the required levels and that poor matriculation results are, in part, due to the low levels of learners’ reading skills. The focus of this study is reading difficulties experienced by learners in the Foundation Phase in inclusive schools in Makapanstad. The researcher used a qualitative method for the study. The case study research design was adopted for the study. Three schools in Makapanstad were sampled for the study. Empirical investigation was conducted through literature study, observations, interviews and document analysis. There is a worldwide concern with regard to learners’ low reading levels. The study explores the extensive models, methods and theories on reading, the strategies that could be used to teach reading in the Foundation Phase to alleviate or improve reading difficulties experienced by learners, as well as the findings and recommendations towards minimising the reading difficulties in primary schools. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

The aim of the study was to find out about the perception of grade four teachers with regard to reading competence of the learners. The ability to read is an important skill in today`s modern world where so much information is transmitted in written form. It is also important that people have reading skills whether they are in school or not. The choice of this research topic emanated from an observation from past research that, levels of reading difficulties among primary school pupils are very high and Hlanganani south circuit is not an exception. This research is relevant as most learners in grade four are not able to read especially in English. These are some of the main problem that makes high failure rate of grade four learners in ANA results, because most learners do not know how to read and it also affect all subjects that they learn in English. The problem of the study pivots around the experiences of grade four teachers with regard to reading competency skills of the learners. Results from most studies carried out on reading indicate that most pupils are not able to read according to what is expected of their grade level. It is against this background that this study sought to establish the factors that lead to reading difficulties. The research methods used are interviews and classroom observation with the focus on a sample of teachers from grade four in two schools at Hlanganani south circuit. The researcher selected these tools because they are directed by research questions. The researcher wanted to find out from the research participants how they taught, their beliefs and perceptions about teaching reading. Qualitative methods are used to generate data. Findings of the study indicate that grade four learners have reading difficulties. These include omitting, substituting and adding words as well as mispronouncing words. This is a big challenge for the teachers who teach these learners. This can be frustrating for both the learners and teachers especially where the teacher does not understand the causes of reading difficulties, how to assess those learners with reading without competence as well as how to help out. According to the findings of this study, teachers have their own perceptions about the causes of reading with competence and their own way of assessing learners with reading difficulties. Government as the state, and local levels should provide appropriate materials for teaching reading skills. Libraries should be provided for our primary schools, since the absence of libraries is a factor in the deficiency in reading skills. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Educational Management)

Reading is currently a great concern in South Africa with most learners reading below their grade level. In order to remedy this problemthe Department of Education (DoE) has launched a number of campaigns to ensure learners are continuously monitored and evaluated. The purpose of this study is to explore how Grade 4 teachers support learners with word recognition problems in an inclusive classroom. Grade 4 is a transitional grade from mother tongue to English as the medium of instruction in most of Gauteng schools. This shift creates a challenging factor when teaching reading. Although the teachers’ in this investigation were professionally trained not all were trained on how to teach reading and such components as word recognition and lack of strategies raised a major concern. The DoE (2005:67) also stressed that in applying teaching methods teachers should bear in mind that there is no single classroom in which all learners will be exactly the same or learn in the same way and same pace. Hence, teachers need to be creative when dealing with word recognition problems in order to be able to accommodate different learners in an inclusive classroom. In addressing the challenges faced this study uses Bronfenbrenners ecological system theory and qualitative research design to examine how teachers support learners with word recognition problem. The interview questions were firstly piloted with one of the neighbouring Grade 4 teacher. After the pilot study six Grade 4 teachers from four different primary schools were interviewed and observed and their documents were also analysed. The analysis used Creswell’s method and the finding highlighted factors which affect Grade 4 teachers when supporting learners with word recognition. The factors include the following: understanding the Grade 4 learner, curriculum changes in Grade 4, teacher training in the teaching of reading, teaching reading in Grade 4, addressing word recognition in Grade 4, insufficient district support, lack of parental involvement, lack of enough resources and time allocation and lesson plans. Based on the findings, recommendations were made on how to support Grade 4 learners with word recognition problems. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

This study investigated the challenges faced by Intermediate Phase learners in reading in English in Mondlo Ward Vryheid District. It further explored factors that affect learners’ reading. The sample consisted of 36 learners who are poor readers. These learners were selected from educators’ reading assessment record sheet. It also consisted of nine English language educators with a minimum of five years post-qualifying experience, principals of selected schools because they are curriculum managers at school level and one English language subject advisor. The study focused on three primary schools in Mondlo ward Vryheid District, which were selected through a purposive sampling technique. Qualitative research was chosen as the research method, with phenomenology as the research design. Data collection instruments consisted of structured observation schedule, unstructured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Interviews were conducted in participants’ schools. The focus group discussions were conducted with learners and educators soon after the unstructured interviews at the participants’ schools. The subject advisor was interviewed in her respective office. Data analysis consisted of a thematic approach. Common themes were identified in participants’ responses. The findings highlighted factors which cause learners’ reading problems. The factors include various physical factors, little attention to reading skills, lack of print-rich environment, insufficient reading time, poor teachers’ and learners’ communicative competence in English as the Language of Learning and Teaching. Educators were of the view that repeated curriculum changes within a short period of time without proper training of educators has an effect on learners’ reading performance. The study revealed that reading is adversely affected by the poor learning conditions in which learners find themselves in because there was a strong relationship between socio-economic factors and reading ability. On that account, the implication is that reading will not improve in Intermediate Phase learners if learning conditions do not improve. The study recommends that the Department of Education pay more attention to pre-service and in-service training of educators so that educators are more knowledgeable in all reading components. / Inclusive Education / D. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

Reading is currently a great concern in South Africa with most learners reading below their grade level. In order to remedy this problemthe Department of Education (DoE) has launched a number of campaigns to ensure learners are continuously monitored and evaluated. The purpose of this study is to explore how Grade 4 teachers support learners with word recognition problems in an inclusive classroom. Grade 4 is a transitional grade from mother tongue to English as the medium of instruction in most of Gauteng schools. This shift creates a challenging factor when teaching reading. Although the teachers’ in this investigation were professionally trained not all were trained on how to teach reading and such components as word recognition and lack of strategies raised a major concern. The DoE (2005:67) also stressed that in applying teaching methods teachers should bear in mind that there is no single classroom in which all learners will be exactly the same or learn in the same way and same pace. Hence, teachers need to be creative when dealing with word recognition problems in order to be able to accommodate different learners in an inclusive classroom. In addressing the challenges faced this study uses Bronfenbrenners ecological system theory and qualitative research design to examine how teachers support learners with word recognition problem. The interview questions were firstly piloted with one of the neighbouring Grade 4 teacher. After the pilot study six Grade 4 teachers from four different primary schools were interviewed and observed and their documents were also analysed. The analysis used Creswell’s method and the finding highlighted factors which affect Grade 4 teachers when supporting learners with word recognition. The factors include the following: understanding the Grade 4 learner, curriculum changes in Grade 4, teacher training in the teaching of reading, teaching reading in Grade 4, addressing word recognition in Grade 4, insufficient district support, lack of parental involvement, lack of enough resources and time allocation and lesson plans. Based on the findings, recommendations were made on how to support Grade 4 learners with word recognition problems. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

The aim of the study was to find out about the perception of grade four teachers with regard to reading competence of the learners. The ability to read is an important skill in today`s modern world where so much information is transmitted in written form. It is also important that people have reading skills whether they are in school or not. The choice of this research topic emanated from an observation from past research that, levels of reading difficulties among primary school pupils are very high and Hlanganani south circuit is not an exception. This research is relevant as most learners in grade four are not able to read especially in English. These are some of the main problem that makes high failure rate of grade four learners in ANA results, because most learners do not know how to read and it also affect all subjects that they learn in English. The problem of the study pivots around the experiences of grade four teachers with regard to reading competency skills of the learners. Results from most studies carried out on reading indicate that most pupils are not able to read according to what is expected of their grade level. It is against this background that this study sought to establish the factors that lead to reading difficulties. The research methods used are interviews and classroom observation with the focus on a sample of teachers from grade four in two schools at Hlanganani south circuit. The researcher selected these tools because they are directed by research questions. The researcher wanted to find out from the research participants how they taught, their beliefs and perceptions about teaching reading. Qualitative methods are used to generate data. Findings of the study indicate that grade four learners have reading difficulties. These include omitting, substituting and adding words as well as mispronouncing words. This is a big challenge for the teachers who teach these learners. This can be frustrating for both the learners and teachers especially where the teacher does not understand the causes of reading difficulties, how to assess those learners with reading without competence as well as how to help out. According to the findings of this study, teachers have their own perceptions about the causes of reading with competence and their own way of assessing learners with reading difficulties. Government as the state, and local levels should provide appropriate materials for teaching reading skills. Libraries should be provided for our primary schools, since the absence of libraries is a factor in the deficiency in reading skills. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Educational Management)