Thesis (M.A. (Linguistic Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2012 / This study explored the use of code switching as a learning and teaching strategy among grade 11 mathematics literacy learners at selected high schools in Limpopo Province. This study, in exploring this use, discovered language problems faced by these learners in the mathematics literacy classroom. Language seemed to be the major barrier in the understanding of concepts in mathematics literacy; and the material being delivered to them. The study found out that the use of code switching, from English to mother tongue, in explaining some of the concepts greatly helped the learners understand their scope of work. The study recommends the use of code switching during mathematics literacy lessons to better facilitate the process of learning and teaching and to improve language performance of the learners

Bakgrund: Testmaterialet Bedömning av Subtila Språkstörningar (BeSS) togs fram för att bedöma subtila språkliga svårigheter hos bland annat personer med neurodegenerativa sjukdomar. Testet har sedan använts bland annat i dyslexiutredningar då subtila språkliga svårigheter kan förekomma även vid dyslexi.  BeSS saknar dock referensmaterial för flera åldersgrupper vilket behövs för att logopeder ska kunna göra tillförlitliga bedömningar med materialet.   Mål: Att låta gymnasieungdomar genomgå BeSS och sammanställa ett referensmaterial. Att se om det föreligger några prestationsskillnader mellan deltesten och könsskillnader.   Metod: I studien deltog 28 gymnasieungdomar, 16 flickor och 12 pojkar, vilka testades enskilt med BeSS. Deltagarna fick inte ha några kända språkliga svårigheter eller läs-/skrivsvårigheter. Övriga krav var att deltagarna gått i svensk skolklass och fått svensk undervisning på svenska under minst 8 år.   Resultat: Det totala medelvärdet för testgruppen (alla deltesten sammanräknade) var 172 poäng av 210 möjliga med standardavvikelsen 14,5. I studien presenteras även medelvärde och standardavvikelse för var och ett av deltesten: Repetition av långa meningar M=20,8 (SD 4,6), Meningskonstruktion M=27,3 (SD 2,3), Inferens M=25,5 (SD 3,5), Förståelse av logikogrammatiska meningar M=25,2 (SD 3,4), Tvetydigheter M=22,1 (SD 5,0), Förståelse av metaforer M=25,5 (SD 3,9) och Definitioner av ord M=25,6 (SD 3,2). Det förelåg inga könsskillnader.   Slutsats: Denna studie har resultat för 28 gymnasieungdomar vilket är början till ett referensmaterial som behövs för att BeSS fortsatt ska kunna användas kliniskt i logopedisk verksamhet. Deltesten Repetition av långa meningar och Meningskonstruktion blev de deltest där gymnasieungdomarna presterade lägst respektive högst poäng. Det förelåg inga signifikanta könsskillnader. / Background: The test material BeSS was developed to assess subtle language difficulties in people with neurodegenerative diseases. The test has also been used in dyslexia evaluations since subtle language difficulties also can occur with dyslexia. The material lacks reference material for several age groups which is needed to give safer assessments with the material.   Aim: To collect reference material for the BeSS test for high school students. To see if there is differences in performance between the test sections and if there is a gender difference.   Method: The study had 28 participants, 16 girls and 12 boys, who were tested individually with BeSS. The participants did not have any known language difficulties or reading/writing problems and they were required to have attended a Swedish class with Swedish education in Swedish for at least 8 years.   Results: For each of the test sections means and standard deviations are presented. For the individual test sections the students performed as follows: Repetition of long sentences mean 20.8 (SD 4.6), Sentence construction 27.3 (SD 2.3), Inference 25.5 (SD 3.5), Understanding of grammatically logical sentences 25.2 (SD 3.4), Ambiguities 22.1 (SD 5.0), Understanding of metaphors 25.5 (SD 3.9) and Definitions of words 25.6 (SD 3.2). There was not a significant gender difference.   Conclusions: This study presents results for 28 students which is the beginning of a reference material that is needed for the continued use of the test in clinical speech and language pathology work. In the test sections Repetition of long sentences and Sentence construction the students performed the lowest and the highest scores. There was not a significant gender difference.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2012 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this thesis is a qualitative examination of TESOL material, specifically New Headway Advanced [NHA] -3rd Edition (Soars & Soars: 2002), and the degree to which Cultural Awareness [CA] is present in the material. CA is herein defined as the use of empathy to explicitly examine the contextual variations which give rise to different languages and cultures with the aim of avoiding stereotypes and promoting a mediated third linguistic and cultural place which incorporates the variations of context inherent in a student’s L1 and WEs. The thesis provides an overview of TESOL methodology together with issues arising from postmethod views of TESOL. Qualifications for ESOL teachers, namely the CELTA and Cert.TESOL, are also examined with specific attention to their inclusion of references to CA. The examination of NHA is carried out with the use of Hofstede & Bond’s (1980) Dimensions of Cultural Variability to provide a dimensional profile of NHA. Finally there is a discussion of the extent to which CA is present in NHA and recommendations for the future development of ESOL and TESOL material. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie tesis is om ‘n waardebepaling van TESOL materiaal te doen, veral New Headway Advanced (NHA) – 3e weergawe (Soars & Soars:2002), en die mate waarin Kulturele Bewustheid (KB) in die materiaal teenwoordig is. KB word in hierdie konteks gedefinieer as die gebruik van empatie vir die deeglike ondersoek van kontekstuele variasies wat lei tot verskillende tale en kulture ten einde stereotipering te vermy en ‘n bemiddelde derde taalkundige en kulturele plek te bevorder wat die kontekstuele variasies inherent in ‘n student se L1 en WE insluit. Die tesis voorsien ‘n oorsig van die TESOL metodologie saam met kwessies voortspruitend uit sieninge na die aanbieding daarvan. Kwalifikasies van onderwysers, naamlik CELTA en die TESOL sertifikaat, word ook ondersoek met spesifieke verwysing na KB. Die ondersoek van NHA word gedoen met behulp van Hofstede & Bond se (1980) Dimensions of Cultural Variability om ‘n dimensionele profiel van NHA te verskaf. Laastens is daar ‘n bespreking van die mate waarin KB teenwoordig is in NHA en aanbevelings vir die toekomstige ontwikkeling van ESOL en TESOL materiaal.

Thesis (MA) -- Stellenbosch University, 1998. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: During my work as a lecturer in "German as a foreign language" at the University of Zululand I have experienced that African students often understand German texts in a different way than I, coming from a European background, would have expected. According to the research on text reception, differences in understanding texts are the result of different reader characteristics of which the socio-cultural background forms an important component. This thesis examines the socio-cultural background of Zulu students and aims to show how it influences their understanding of German texts. The necessary data is obtained by way of a comparative empirical investigation which is enhanced by personal observations made while teaching German to African learners. The investigation is based on a German advertisement. The control groups consist of South African students at the Universities of Natal/Durban and Stellenbosch as well as students in Germany at the University of Kassel. The investigation is concluded by a discussion of the implications that the socio-cultural background of Zulu students can have on the teaching of "German as a foreign language" and on intercultural communication. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gedurende my werks,aamheidas dosent in die vak "Duits as vreemde taal" aan die Universiteit van Zululand het ek ondervind dat Swart studente dikwels Duitse tekste heeltemal anders verstaan as wat ek, as iemand met Europese agtergrond, sou verwag het. Navorsing oar teks-resepsie skryf resepsieverskille toe aan verskillende lesereienskappe waarvan die sosio-kulturele agtergrond 'n belangrike komponent vorm. Hierdie tesis ondersoek die sosio-kulturele agtergrond van Zoeloe-studente en probeer aantoon hoe dit die resepsie van Duitse tekste be'invloed. Die nodige inligting hiervoor word verkry deur middel van 'n vergelykende empiriese ondersoek. Dit word aangevul deur persoonlike waarnemings wat ek gedurende die onderrig van Duits aan Swart studente gemaak het. Die ondersoek is gebaseer op 'n Duitse advertensie. Die kontrolegroepe bestaan uit studente aan die universiteite in Natal/Durban en Stellenbosch in Suid- Afrika en in Duitsland aan die Universiteit van Kassel. In die slotgedeelte word die implikasies uitgewys wat die sosio-kulturele agtergrond van Zoeloe-studente op die onderrig van "Duits as vreemde taal" as oak op interkulturele kommunikasie kan he.

The aim of the study is to examine whether and how the children who have difficulties with the language receive the help they need from the preschool teachers in order to improve their language development. Interview of semi-structured model with five preschool teachers at different kindergartens in the same municipality was conducted, where the pedagogues experiences were requested which methods/routines they work with to detect if children have language problems and what methods/ tools they use to help and stimulate language development, and how they have worked with that has given the best language enhancement in children with language difficulties. The theoretical starting points in my study are sociokulturellt perspektiv, what child can be achieve with help without help, as well as phonological awareness that is the doctrine of the sound and its function. TRAS – the schedule Early registration of language development is a tool to promote language difficulties. It is also important to keep in mind that each child has their own language development rate. TRAS – the schedule is a useful tool with extensive questions, to identify what the child is struggling with and shows what is reasonable to be able to be in a certain age. TRAS is also a useful tool for detecting minor language problems. Babblarna and FonoMix used to stimulate language development in the municipality. Some kindergartens also use character support and support for supporting language development. Engaging high-quality reading and games with language elements increase the interest in communicating. Rhymes and chants can also increase language development. But most important is a good approach and to do something together with the kids. / Syftet med studien är att undersöka om och hur de barn som har svårigheter med språket får den hjälp de behöver av förskollärarna för att deras språkutveckling ska förbättras. Intervju av semistrukturerad modell med fem förskollärare på olika förskolor inom samma kommun utfördes, där pedagogernas erfarenheter efterfrågades om vilka metoder/rutiner de arbetar med för att upptäcka om barn har språksvårigheter och vilka metoder/verktyg de använder för att hjälpa och stimulera språkutvecklingen, samt vilket sätt de har arbetat med som har givit bästa språkförbättringen hos barn med språksvårigheter. De teoretiska utgångspunkterna i min studie är sociokulturellt perspektiv, vad barnet kan uppnå med hjälp och vad det kan uppnå utan hjälp, samt fonologisk medvetenhet som är läran om ljudet och dess funktion. TRAS–schemat tidig registrering av språkutveckling är ett verktyg för att främja språksvårigheter. Det är även viktigt att tänka på att varje barn har sin egen språkutvecklingstakt. TRAS–schemat är ett användbart verktyg med omfattande frågor, för att ringa in vad barnet har svårt för och visar på vad som är rimligt att kunna i viss ålder. TRAS är även ett användbart verktyg för att upptäcka lättare språksvårigheter. Babblarna och FonoMix används för att stimulera språkutvecklingen i kommunen. Vissa förskolor använder även tecken som stöd och bildstöd för att stimulera språkutvecklingen. Engagerad högläsning med kvalitet och lekar med språkinslag ökar intresset att kommunicera. Rim och ramsor kan också öka språkutvecklingen. Men det viktigaste är ett bra förhållningssätt och att göra någonting tillsammans med barnen.

This thesis is devoted to the language management of Russian-speaking university students and graduates in the socioeconomic context of the Czech Republic. The first, theoretical section, is based on the results of previous studies as well as statistical data. It delimits the concepts of language management and Language Management Theory describes the types of language management, and explains its processual character. The second, empirical section of the thesis, is devoted to a qualitative research study based on semi-structured interviews with 10 speakers of Russian as a first or second language who were studying or who had studies at universities in the Czech Republic. The aim of the research was to gain up-to-date information on respondents' subjective understanding of their position on the Czech labor market. The results reveal connections between language, communicative and socio- cultural (including socio-economic) management thus connect issues of language competence and linguistic repertoires and the socio-economic position of Russian-speaking university students and graduates in the Czech Republic.

The deaf child’s primary handicap is his inability to hear human speech. The whole functioning of the deaf child is hampered by his hearing loss. This implicates that deafness can cause secondary problems such as: -- language problems; -- speech problems; -- thinking problems; -- social problems; -- emotional problems; -- educational problems; -- occupational problems; and -- family problems. These problems impose a special challenge to people who intervene with deaf children. The deaf child cannot communicate intelligibly. The therapist has to pay special attention to this problem and to the way in which communication will commence and continue. Pedotherapeutic intervention implicates effective communication. The use of language plays an important role in the Educational-psychological practice. Diagnostic tests and therapeutic techniques require an average language capability. The therapist must seek alternative concrete ways in which to assess the deaf child and to solve the child’s problems. The creation of a work of art is a concrete sensory act. A variety of authors state that, most children can project their deepest inner feelings through a work of art without fear and pain. The instructions given for art therapy are simple and most children feel safe to create. A child’s work of art has diagnostic as well as therapeutic value. It is important that the therapist will recognize and interpret the projected symbols and that he will use it to change and expand the deaf child’s world of meaning. During the assessment of a child’s drawing the therapist must take aspects of the art work, such as colour, form, line, art material, the content of the drawing, the perceptual and motor development of the child, the child’s age, non-verbal communication and verbal communication during the creative process, into consideration. The therapist must not use above-mentioned directions at random. Every individual’s work of art must be assessed in a phenomenological way, before any conclusions can be made. A private, well equipped art therapy room is necessary for the child in order to feel safe to explore and create. The therapist who intervenes with deaf children has to be well trained. He must have knowledge and experience of deafness, know sign language and should have exceptional language abilities. In this study the therapist applied art therapy with a deaf child. Both the child and his educators were involved in therapy. The therapy was successful. Most of the therapeutic goals were achieved. The therapist needed to adapt the way of communication in order to enhance the level of communication between her and the deaf child. Art therapy can be successfully used with the deaf child because adequate communication is possible, the deaf child can identify with the therapeutic content and transcendence is possible. Some deaf children do not respond well to art therapy. The uniqueness of each deaf child should be taken into consideration before a therapeutic technique can be chosen. / Dissertation (MEd (Educational Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Orthopaedic Surgery / unrestricted