Multilingualism is a reality in South African classrooms. The Constitution of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996) and the national language policy recognize language rights and aims at supporting, promoting and developing the official languages. However, despite the advantages of mother tongue education, English is often chosen as language of learning and teaching at the cost of the African official languages. This study proposes the accommodation and promotion of multilingualism through blended learning. Blended learning refers to the blending of traditional instruction methods, such as face-to-face instruction, with other forms of instruction such as online learning and teaching. Through a discussion of asynchronous and synchronous learning tools it was established that wikis would be used for this study. In terms of blended learning and learning theories the main emphasis in this study is on socio-constructivism as well as communal constructivism. The empirical research in this study focused on the establishment and testing of a conceptual model for the accommodation and promotion of multilingualism through blended learning in the subject IT. The research took the form of a sequential embedded mixed methods design. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used. A questionnaire was used with IT teachers to investigate the language and blended learning context. This was followed up with qualitative research in the form of interviews aimed at provincial and national experts in terms of the subject IT and e-learning. Based on the literature and these two investigations, a conceptual model was developed. The conceptual model’s effectiveness was tested through a quasi-experimental study. A questionnaire was also completed by the respondents at the schools after the completion of the study. Through the testing of the effectiveness of the conceptual model it was found that multilingualism could successfully be accommodated and promoted through this conceptual model. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2011

This study is aimed at integrating theory and practice in the training of subtitlers in South Africa. In spite of the apparent benefits of subtitling for South Africa (improved access to information for viewers with impaired hearing and non-first language speakers of English, raised literacy levels and the promotion of language acquisition), subtitling has not been implemented on a large scale. However, there does seem to be a higher incidence of subtitling on SABC television, albeit of an uneven quality. This study attempts to define the parameters for the training of subtitlers in order to provide in the demand for this type of language transfer. Although the demand is as yet non-existent, PANSALB recognises subtitling as a valid way of addressing a number of language-related problems. In anticipation of the large-scale implementation of subtitling, it is worth initiating training for subtitlers who will be able to supply in this demand in a professional way when it does occur. Subtitler training needs to be firmly rooted in the user needs of South African viewers. Chapter 1 provides an analysis of the needs of viewers with impaired hearing (including pre-lingual and post-lingual deafness), viewers with low literacy levels, as well as viewers who are non-first language speakers of English. The needs of these groups are defined in terms of reading rate, access to non-linguistic audio elements, language structures, phoneme-grapheme correlation, translation, and vocabulary. Chapter 2 investigates existing subtitler courses in other (predominantly developed) countries. Aspects that shape these courses include the national context of subtitling, training aims, academic level, duration, course content, subtitling software and equipment used, practicum, entry levels, candidates envisaged, and the (non) use of scripts. The courses range from vocational to academic-theoretical. Chapter 3 proposes an outline for a South African curriculum for the training of subtitlers by integrating the domestic user-based parameters (chapter 1) and the aspects that shape existing courses in other countries (chapter 2). The curriculum is defined in terms of outcomes that are broken down into knowledge and skills required for their attainment. Chapter 4 addresses a perceived lack in existing subtitling theory, namely the absence of a model for balancing equivalence and condensing. The chapter proposes a semiotic model for subtitling that is aimed at providing a framework for South African subtitlers, as well as contribute to the international debate on equivalence in subtitling. / Thesis (Ph.D. (English))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2005.

Multilingualism is a reality in South African classrooms. The Constitution of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996) and the national language policy recognize language rights and aims at supporting, promoting and developing the official languages. However, despite the advantages of mother tongue education, English is often chosen as language of learning and teaching at the cost of the African official languages. This study proposes the accommodation and promotion of multilingualism through blended learning. Blended learning refers to the blending of traditional instruction methods, such as face-to-face instruction, with other forms of instruction such as online learning and teaching. Through a discussion of asynchronous and synchronous learning tools it was established that wikis would be used for this study. In terms of blended learning and learning theories the main emphasis in this study is on socio-constructivism as well as communal constructivism. The empirical research in this study focused on the establishment and testing of a conceptual model for the accommodation and promotion of multilingualism through blended learning in the subject IT. The research took the form of a sequential embedded mixed methods design. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used. A questionnaire was used with IT teachers to investigate the language and blended learning context. This was followed up with qualitative research in the form of interviews aimed at provincial and national experts in terms of the subject IT and e-learning. Based on the literature and these two investigations, a conceptual model was developed. The conceptual model’s effectiveness was tested through a quasi-experimental study. A questionnaire was also completed by the respondents at the schools after the completion of the study. Through the testing of the effectiveness of the conceptual model it was found that multilingualism could successfully be accommodated and promoted through this conceptual model. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2011

Ett ökat antal frågor från verksamma lärare kring hur undervisningen kan anpassas för elever som har en kombinerad flerspråkighet och språkstörning ligger till grund för uppsatsen. Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur stödet vid flerspråkighet kombinerad med språkstörning är utformat. Fokus är att studera hur stödet är organiserat, vilka insatser som lärare och elever anser utgör ett stöd i skolarbetet samt hur stödet kan utvecklas. Utifrån det sociokulturella perspektivet och ifrån KoRP, ett kommunikativt och relationsinriktat perspektiv, har en fallstudie i två skolor i två olika kommuner genomförts. Data har samlats in genom observationer och intervjuer, varav två med elever. Resultatet är en mångfald av trådar men bland annat visar studien att hur kommunen väljer att organisera sitt stöd påverkar hur specialpedagogen på den enskilda skolan agerar i sin yrkesroll. Resultatet antyder även ett behov av mer tid i de kommunikativa kontexter som finns på skolan där aktörerna har möjlighet att diskutera, reflektera och utvärdera arbetet kring elever i behov av särskilt stöd. Denna studie visar att det inte går att lösa hinder i verksamheten genom enstaka insatser på en viss nivå eller genom en viss metod utan att det är många saker som ska fungera mellan nivåer, mellan individer och mellan individer och artefakter. / An increased number of questions from active educators on how education can be tailored for students who have a combined multilingualism and language disorder are the basis for the essay. The aim of the study is to examine how support for multilingualism combined with language im-pairment is designed. The focus is to study how support is organized, what actions teachers and students think constitutes support in school and how support can be developed . On the basis of the socio-cultural perspective and from KoRP, a communications and relationship-oriented per-spective, a case study of two schools in two different municipalities implemented. Data were col-lected through observations and interviews, including two with students. The result is a multitude of threads but the study shows that, among other things, how the munic-ipality chooses to organize its support affects how special education teacher at the individual school acting in their professional capacity. The results also suggest a need for more time in the communicative contexts that are available at the school where the players have the opportunity to discuss, reflect and evaluate the work on students in need of special support. This study shows that it is not possible to solve the obstacles in the business by occasional efforts at a certain level or by a particular method, but there are many things that should work between levels, between individuals and between individuals and artifacts.

The overall aim of the study was to take part of teachers' experiences and work force mother-tongue education and literacy development in the Sámi School. The study was conducted through interviews with twelve teachers who teach at two Sámi schools. The focus has been on looking how to work with native speakers teaching at the Sámi School, what factors promote / hinder students' development of their first or second language, and the importance of collaboration between the schools` various professions work with multilingual students reading and writing skills. Through interviews of various categories of teachers, I have tried to visibility problems of the education of minority language children and their reading and writing skills. I discuss the teaching, the importance and the lack / availability of communication and consensus between different categories of teachers. The study reveals the importance of adequate education for the teachers and the lack of Sámi teaching materials. From a sociocultural perspective, the situated and creative learning opportunities, where the teaching is based on students' prior knowledge and experience, is a factor that contributes to literacy development. The study also shows that mother tongue education contributes to students' identity is strengthened and that they will be confident with their background. / Det övergripande syftet med studien var att ta del av lärares erfarenheter och arbetsformer gällande modersmålsundervisning och läs- och skrivutveckling i sameskolan. Studien har genomförts genom kvalitativa intervjuer med tolv lärare som undervisar vid två sameskolor. Fokus har lagts på att titta hur man arbetar med modersmålsundervisningen vid sameskolorna, vilka faktorer främjar/hindrar elevernas utveckling av sitt första respektive andraspråk samt vilken betydelse samverkan mellan specialpedagoger, klasslärare och modersmålslärare har kring arbetet med flerspråkiga elevers läs- och skrivutveckling. Genom intervjuer av olika lärarkategorier har jag försökt synliggöra problematiken kring undervisning av minoritetsspråkiga barn och deras läs- och skrivutveckling. I studien diskuteras det kring undervisningen, vikten av och bristen/tillgången på kommunikation och samsyn mellan olika lärarkategorier. Studien synliggör även vikten av adekvat utbildning till undervisande pedagoger och bristen på samiskt läromedel. Ur ett sociokulturellt perspektiv är de situerade och kreativa lärande tillfällena, där undervisningen utgår från elevernas tidigare kunskaper och erfarenheter, en faktor som bidrar till läs- och skrivutveckling. Studien visar också att modersmålsundervisningen bidrar till att elevernas identitet stärks och att de blir trygga.

This is a qualitative study that explores how bilingual children develop their language through play. The study is based on observations and interviews conducted in a preschool located in a multicultural area of Stockholm. The purpose of using two qualitative methods; observations and interviews, was to get a bigger picture of the study area. The results of the study, illustrated through observations and interviews that I have conducted, shows that the game has great role for bilingual children's language development. Furthermore, the results show that the informants are aware of the importance of play for bilingual children's language development especially when they are talking about investing in the promotion of children's language by using different methods and materials in their pre activity for various games and activities. One of my conclusions is that bilingual children learn the language during both free play and structured play especially when educators are present and aware of the activities that they perform. It is also important to see children as individuals to cover all the needs of children at different activities. Finally, I can also mention that bilingual children develop their language in the play by using different materials and communicate in different ways to contact other children. In play, children work a lot with their fantasies, knowledge and experience they already have from before and that they created during the game.

This thesis is a study of patterns of language attitudes and use among Xhosa home language speakers at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa. Speakers of Xhosa, according to Statistics South Africa 2000, form the second largest speech community in South Africa (17.9% of the total population), second only to speakers of Zulu (22.9% of the total population). The University of the Western Cape, which is situated just outside Cape Town, was originally intended to serve only the Coloured (mixed-race) population of South Africa. Coloureds form the majority group in the population of the Western Cape, one of the nine provinces of South Africa. In 1982, the university took the bold step of defying the apartheid regime, by opening its doors to students of all races. Students from all over South Africa now attend the university, but Xhosa students, drawn mainly from the provinces of the Eastern and Western Cape, form the largest language group or speech community on the campus. The thesis presents a study of the patterns of language attitudes and use with which Xhosa students enter the university, as well as patterns of change in language attitudes and use revealed by a longitudinal study of a smaller group of Xhosa students.

Thesis (DLitt)-Universiteit van Pretoria, 1983. / Includes bibliographical references.

Originally presented as the author's Thesis (doctoral)--Universität, Zürich, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [223]-236).

Zugleich: Diss. Zürich, 2007. / Im Buchh.: Tübingen : Francke. Literaturverz.