Born into a visual culture, today’s generation of learners generally prefer a visually-rich multimodal learning environment. Tapping into the potential of visuals in language pedagogy, this study was aimed at discovering the impact of a visual presentation of grammatical concepts related to sentence structure on student writing. The study used a mixed methods design to analyse the impact of the visual approach first by statistically measuring sentence variety and syntactic complexity of student pre and post intervention texts and then using interviews to explain the nature of the impact of visuals on student conceptual understanding and its effect on their writing development. Statistical findings reveal that the experimental groups of Chinese students who were taught grammatical concepts in the context of writing instruction using a visual approach outperformed the students in the control groups who were given similar lessons in the context of writing instruction but using traditional printed hand-outs. Qualitative findings suggest that the visuals seems to have increased these students’ conceptual understanding of grammatical items that were taught, and this resulted in more sophisticated and syntactically complex texts after the intervention. The study supports the theory of contextualized teaching of grammar and proposes the use of external visuals that lead to internal visualization based on the cognitive theory of multimodal learning. In so doing, it extends the use of visual learning to grammar pedagogy. However, the findings also suggest that the visual approach would not work effectively in cultures that promote rote learning and decontextualized exercises in grammar with the sole aim of passing the exams. A shift in attitude towards grammar pedagogy in China is deemed necessary.

This thesis explores the development of emergent literacy in Hong Kong Kindergarten children who are learning English as a Second Language (L2). Two interrelated empirical studies have been conducted, and both aim to examine the contribution of code-related and oral language skills to predicting early L2 reading ability, controlling for home influences. The majority of research on emergent literacy has been conducted on First-Language (L1) English-speaking children, and it is possible that these established concepts and models could also be relevant to L2 children. The first is a 2-year longitudinal study examining the continuity of L2 emergent literacy development in Hong Kong children from Kindergarten to early Primary school. The convenience sample of 51 children were initially assessed in their final or penultimate year of Kindergarten (mean age: 4;6 SD = 6.16) on 3 emergent literacy measures (receptive vocabulary, phonological awareness, letter identification) and a non-verbal cognitive measure. They later progressed onto the Primary section of the same school, and were assessed again as first or second-graders (mean age: 6;4 SD = 6.21) on a more comprehensive battery of measures. An extensive parental questionnaire on family demographics and the home literacy environment was also administered. In addition to assessing a wide range of L2 emergent literacy skills and English word reading ability, a Chinese syllable deletion task was also included, to explore the potential effects of cross-linguistic phonological transfer between the children’s L1 (Cantonese) and L2 (English). The second study sought to improve upon the first by selecting a larger, more representative sample of children from 3 bilingual Kindergartens in the Kowloon City School District. It examines the concurrent relationships between emergent literacy skills and L2 word reading ability in 137 children. They were all in their final year of Kindergarten (mean age: 5;2 SD = 5.61), and were assessed once on largely the same battery of measures as Study 1 (Time 2). Again, a non-verbal cognitive measure was administered, as well as the parental questionnaire on home support for language development. The main data analysis was carried out via multivariate statistical techniques such as multiple regression. Further analysis was conducted using structural equation modelling in Study 2, but in a cautious and exploratory manner. The overall findings suggest that like the L1 emergent literacy model, early L2 word reading ability is predominantly influenced by children’s code-related skills, especially print knowledge and phonological sensitivity. Also, the relationship between oral language and word reading seems to be mediated by code-related skills. Thus, while oral language abilities do not appear to make substantial direct contributions to early L2 reading, they do play an essential albeit indirect role. Furthermore, L2 children’s home influences seem to make their strongest impact before formal schooling begins, again in the form of indirect effects on pre-school oral language skills. In short, the development of emergent literacy and early word reading skills is similar in many ways for both L1 and L2 children, and implications for practice are considered.

After independence, in 1990, the government of the Republic of Namibia perceived the need to replace the old Language-in-Education Policy (LiEP) for schools with a new one that promotes the use of the mother tongue alongside English in schools and colleges of education. Consequently, the new Language-in-Education Policy was implemented in all 13 educational regions. The aim of this study is to evaluate the implementation of this policy in the upper primary schools in Oshana Region. The findings of the study were analysed according to relevant literature to determine if they were in line with the theories of language policy evaluation. At least five major findings emerged from this study that are described in relation to relevant themes, namely; home language, language preferences, language practices, policy awareness and government support. The study revealed that the majority of learners in Oshana Region are Oshikwambi speakers, followed by Oshikwanyama speakers. In addition, the majority of teachers who teach Oshindonga are also not Oshindonga speakers. Furthermore, the study revealed that the majority of learners, teachers and principals preferred English as LoLT to Oshiwambo. Another major finding of the study is that despite the fact that English is the LoLT, both teachers and learners are still struggling to communicate in English. In general, successful communication often takes place in Oshiwambo. The study revealed that the majority of teachers, learners and parents are neither aware of the new LiEP nor were they consulted prior to its implementation. In addition, the LiEP related materials are not available in most of the schools. Finally, the study found that there is a serious shortage of textbooks and well qualified teachers in African languages. This shortage of textbooks prevents teachers from giving adequate homework to learners. Consequently, the LiEP cannot be successfully implemented. A number of recommendations are made regarding the shortage of textbooks in Oshiwambo, the use of the mother tongue as LoLT from Grade 1 to Grade 7 and the recognition of other Oshiwambo dialects. Ongoing consultation and awareness should be a vital part of the review process. / Linguistics / M.A. (Sociolinguistics)

After independence, in 1990, the government of the Republic of Namibia perceived the need to replace the old Language-in-Education Policy (LiEP) for schools with a new one that promotes the use of the mother tongue alongside English in schools and colleges of education. Consequently, the new Language-in-Education Policy was implemented in all 13 educational regions. The aim of this study is to evaluate the implementation of this policy in the upper primary schools in Oshana Region. The findings of the study were analysed according to relevant literature to determine if they were in line with the theories of language policy evaluation. At least five major findings emerged from this study that are described in relation to relevant themes, namely; home language, language preferences, language practices, policy awareness and government support. The study revealed that the majority of learners in Oshana Region are Oshikwambi speakers, followed by Oshikwanyama speakers. In addition, the majority of teachers who teach Oshindonga are also not Oshindonga speakers. Furthermore, the study revealed that the majority of learners, teachers and principals preferred English as LoLT to Oshiwambo. Another major finding of the study is that despite the fact that English is the LoLT, both teachers and learners are still struggling to communicate in English. In general, successful communication often takes place in Oshiwambo. The study revealed that the majority of teachers, learners and parents are neither aware of the new LiEP nor were they consulted prior to its implementation. In addition, the LiEP related materials are not available in most of the schools. Finally, the study found that there is a serious shortage of textbooks and well qualified teachers in African languages. This shortage of textbooks prevents teachers from giving adequate homework to learners. Consequently, the LiEP cannot be successfully implemented. A number of recommendations are made regarding the shortage of textbooks in Oshiwambo, the use of the mother tongue as LoLT from Grade 1 to Grade 7 and the recognition of other Oshiwambo dialects. Ongoing consultation and awareness should be a vital part of the review process. / Linguistics and Modern Languages / M.A. (Sociolinguistics)