This degree project aims to examine teachers' use of translanguaging, whether planned or incidental, and their attitudes and perceptions towards translanguaging in the context of English communicative classrooms in Sweden. In Swedish universities, the target language approach is highly endorsed by educators during English teaching education programs. Although exposure to the target language has been identified as important, comprehension plays a vital role in learning a new language. Translanguaging is an approach that enhances comprehension while allowing for exposure to the target language. This study was conducted through classroom observations followed by qualitative interviews with practicing teachers. Quantitative data from the observations and qualitative data from the interviews highlight the use of translanguaging as well as practicing teachers’ attitudes and perceptions of the approach. Our study showed that, even though teachers were somewhat unfamiliar with translanguaging as a term, they utilized what could be considered translanguaging during their English lessons and held positive attitudes toward the approach. Translanguaging was primarily used to explain and clarify activities. Teachers utilized their own and students' multilingual capabilities to achieve a deeper understanding of topics and to provide instructions.

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.

No description available.

Sverige är mångkulturellt och i skolan finns elever som är flerspråkiga och har andra modersmål än svenska. Tidigare forskning visar att flerspråkighet är positivt och att det är en resurs i elevens andraspråksutveckling. Därför är det aktuellt och intressant att undersöka hur lärare stöttar flerspråkiga­ elevers andraspråksinlärning. Studien har skrivits med syftet att bidra med kunskap om vilka typer av stöttning lärare i svenskämnet årskurs 4–6 använder för att utveckla flerspråkiga elevers andraspråksinlärning med fokus på ordförråd. Studiens frågeställningar är: Hur stöttar lärare flerspråkiga elevers språkutveckling i svenskämnet? och På vilket sätt används transspråkande, interaktion och visuella hjälpmedel som stöd för flerspråkiga elevers språkutveckling i svenskundervisningen? Studien består av intervjuer med sex lärare i svenskämnet årskurs 4–6. Empirin har analyserats genom en tematisk analys. Teorin som har legat till grund för studien är den sociokulturella teorin. Resultatet visar att de intervjuade lärarna stöttar sina elever genom att förmedla att flerspråkighet är positivt på olika sätt. Det framkommer att lärarna använder transspråkande, interaktion och visuella hjälpmedel men i olika utsträckning. / Sweden is multicultural and the school system has students who are multilingual and have other mother tounges than Swedish. Previous research shows that multilingualism is positive and is a resource in the students’ second language development. Therefore, it is relevant and interesting to investigate how teachers support multilingual students’ second language learning. The study has been written with the aim of contributing knowledge about what types of support teachers in the Swedish subject grades 4–6 use to develop multilingual students’ second language learning with a focus on vocabulary. The questions of the study are: How do teachers support multilingual students’ language development in the Swedish subject? In what way are translanguage, interaction, and visual aids used to support multilingual students’ language development in swedish teaching? The study consists of interviews with six teachers in the Swedish subject grades 4–6. The empirical data has been analyzed through a thematic analysis. The theory that has formed the basis of the study is the sociocultural theory. The results show that the interviewed teachers support their students by conveying that multilingualism is positive in different ways. It appears that the teachers use translanguaging, interaction and visual aids, but in different extents.

Det här examensarbete handlar om multimodal högläsning i förskolan. Syftet med denna studie är att skapa förståelse för hur några förskollärare använder sig av olika modaliteter under högläsning för att främja flerspråkiga barns språkutveckling. Studien utgick från en kvalitativ studie där en semistrukturerad intervju användes som metod för att samla in data och ljudinspelning användes för att dokumentera data. Åtta förskollärare som arbetar med både flerspråkiga - och enspråkliga barn intervjuades för att samla in data. Informanternas svar analyserades sedan genom en kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Socialsemiotik och det sociokulturella perspektivet var teoritiska utgångspunkter i denna studie.  I resultatet framkommer att olika modaliteter som innefattar boksamtal och kroppsspråk, tecken, TAKK, gester, konkreta material, handdockor, bilder, Polyglutt och även sång, musik och ramsor används av förskollärare när de högläser för barnen. Resultatet visar också att användningen av olika modaliteter under högläsningen stimulerar flerspråkiga barn att utveckla sitt ordförråd, våga uttrycka sig och berätta om sina tankar. Det främjar även deras förståelse kring bokens och berättelsernas innehåll. Enligt resultaten utgör förskollärares förhållningssätt och hela arbetslagets engagemang och deltagande betydelsefulla faktorer för att bedriva en multimodal högläsning i förskolan. Att förskollärare får tid och möjligheter att planera och organisera läsmiljöer är också viktiga förutsättningar för att kunna kombinera högläsningen med multimodala metoder. Ett tematiskt arbete skapar också variationer och underlättar för att arbeta multimodalt. I slutsatsen visar det att multimodal högläsning främjar flerspråkiga barns språkutveckling på olika sätt. Det kan fånga barnens intresse och uppmärksamhet samt engagemang. Dessutom stimulerar det barnens förståelse och ordförråd. / This thesis is about multimodal reading aloud in preschool. The purpose ofthis study is to create an understanding of how some preschool teachers usedifferent modalities during read-aloud to stimulate multilingual children'slanguage development. The study was based on a qualitative study wherea semi-structured interview was used as a method to collect data and audiorecording was used to document the data. Eight preschool teachers whowork with both multilingual and monolingual children were interviewed tocollect the data. The informants' answers were then analyzed through aqualitative content analysis. Social semiotics and the socioculturalperspective were theoretical starting points for this study.The result shows that different modalities that include book talks and bodylanguage, signs, TAKK, gestures, concrete materials, hand puppets,pictures, Polyglutt application and song, music and rhymes are used bypreschool teachers when they read aloud to the children. The results alsoshow that by using different modalities during read-aloud, it stimulatesmultilingual children to develop their vocabulary, dare to expressthemselves and share their thoughts. It also stimulates their understandingof the content of the book and the stories. According to the results, thepreschool teachers' approach and the entire work team's commitment andparticipation are important factors for conducting a multimodal read-aloudin preschool. It is also important that preschool teachers have time andconditions to plan and organize the reading environments in order to beable to combine read-aloud with multimodal methods. A thematic workalso creates variations and facilitates multimodal work. In conclusion, thestudy show that multimodal reading aloud stimulates multilingualchildren's language development in different ways. It can capture thechildren's interest and attention as well as engagement. In addition, itstimulates children's understanding and vocabulary.

Studiens syfte är att synliggöra hur förskollärare beskriver sitt förhållningssätt och arbetssätt i arbetet med flerspråkiga barn för att stödja och stimulera deras språkutveckling. För att undersöka detta har kvalitativa intervjuer med sex förskollärare genomförts. Förskollärarnas förhållningssätt till flerspråkighet samt vilka metoder och verktyg som används i förskoleverksamheten för att främja flerspråkiga barns språk undersöktes. Upplevda utmaningar och möjligheter som detta arbete skapar beskrevs av förskollärarna. Studien har utgångspunkt i den sociokulturella teorin där utveckling och lärande sker i samspel mellan människor, med hjälp av redskap och med rätt stöttning. Teorin var till hjälp att analysera förskollärarnas uppfattningar och erfarenheter i arbetet med att främja språkutveckling hos flerspråkiga barn. Studiens resultat visar att förskollärarna har ett positivt förhållningssätt till flerspråkighet där majoriteten inte upplever sig själva som flerspråkiga. Dessutom framkommer det att förskollärarna upplever arbete med flerspråkiga barns språkutveckling som utmanade eftersom adekvata kompetenser inom ämnet saknas. Detta arbete beskrivs som en möjlighet där olika användbara strategier och verktyg finns till hjälp. Det lyfts även fram att samverkan med olika aktörer är grundläggande för att kunna stödja och stimulera flerspråkiga barns språkutveckling. Resultatet pekar även på att för att kunna verkställa detta arbete i förskolan behöver förskollärarna få mer kunskap och vägledning. För att barn ska kunna utveckla det svenska språket samt sitt modersmål behöver de rätt stöd, menar förskollärarna. Studien bidrar med en ökad kunskap om vilka strateger, redskap och kompetenser förskollärarna behöver ha för att ge flerspråkiga barn förutsättningar för att utveckla alla sina språk. / The purpose of the study is to make visible how preschool teachers describe their approach and methods while working with multilingual children in order to support and stimulate their language development. Qualitative interviews have been conducted with six preschool teachers in order to achieve this goal. During each interview, the teachers were asked about which methods and tools they applied in activities in order to promote and encourage language development. Perceived challenges and opportunities that this work creates were described by the preschool teachers. This study is based on the sociocultural perspective, in which both learning, and development take place through interaction between people with the help of tools and with the right support. The theory was helpful in analyzing the preschool teachers´ perceptions and experiences in their work. The results of the study show that the preschool teachers have a positive attitude to multilingualism, where the majority do not perceive themselves as multilingual. The results show that the preschool teachers perceive their work with multilingual children´s language development as challenging due to a lack of adequate competence in the subject. This work is also described as an opportunity where various strategies and tools are available to help. In addition, it is highlighted that cooperation with others is fundamental to being able to support and stimulate language development. The result also points to the fact that, in order to carry out this work in the preschool, preschool teachers need more knowledge and guidance. In order for children to be able to develop the Swedish language as well as their mother tongue, they need the right support, the preschool teachers declares. The study hopes to contribute to, an increased knowledge of which strategies, tools and skills are needed in order to create an optimal environment for multilingual development.

Text in English / There is an abundance of multilingual education (MLE) studies internationally and locally. Studies show that MLE is a global issue. South Africa is a unique country since it has assigned eleven languages official status at the national level. The multilingual nature of this country calls for the implementation of MLE. This study seeks to argue that if mother tongue, the language of wider communication as well as other languages are important, the transition should be geared towards MLE rather than to second language (L2). The question is how the transitioning to MLE is embraced in South Africa. This study is an attempt to examine the transitioning to MLE in South Africa schools with reference to Limpopo Province. The study mainly explored the Language-in-education policy (LiEP) implementation and practices in the selected schools as well as examining schools’ compliance with the pedagogical motivations and theories dealing with transition to multilingual education. The study used both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to corroborate the data obtained by using one method to reduce the limitations of another method. In quantitative research, questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used to gather data from principals, parents, teachers and learners. In the qualitative research methodology, observations and document analysis methods of collecting data were employed. Purposive sampling was the major sampling method to ensure that relevant data was collected. Qualitative data was analysed thematically. LiEP and the National Language Policy Framework (NLPF) formed the major analytical framework for this study. Cummins’ theories (1978), bi/multilingual education models as well as the Language management theory form the theoretical framework that guided this study. The theories emphasise the link between mother tongue and the development of L2. The findings of this study show the misunderstandings of the LiEP, the implementation of early transitional bilingual education as well as the lack of confidence in the ability of African languages to provide quality education. The study generally suggests that language policies should be dealt with differently due to the contexts which they address. This study concludes by suggesting a working model that is suitable for the unique linguistic situations of schools. / Linguistics and Modern Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (Linguistics)

Text in English / There is an abundance of multilingual education (MLE) studies internationally and locally. Studies show that MLE is a global issue. South Africa is a unique country since it has assigned eleven languages official status at the national level. The multilingual nature of this country calls for the implementation of MLE. This study seeks to argue that if mother tongue, the language of wider communication as well as other languages are important, the transition should be geared towards MLE rather than to second language (L2). The question is how the transitioning to MLE is embraced in South Africa. This study is an attempt to examine the transitioning to MLE in South Africa schools with reference to Limpopo Province. The study mainly explored the Language-in-education policy (LiEP) implementation and practices in the selected schools as well as examining schools’ compliance with the pedagogical motivations and theories dealing with transition to multilingual education. The study used both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to corroborate the data obtained by using one method to reduce the limitations of another method. In quantitative research, questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used to gather data from principals, parents, teachers and learners. In the qualitative research methodology, observations and document analysis methods of collecting data were employed. Purposive sampling was the major sampling method to ensure that relevant data was collected. Qualitative data was analysed thematically. LiEP and the National Language Policy Framework (NLPF) formed the major analytical framework for this study. Cummins’ theories (1978), bi/multilingual education models as well as the Language management theory form the theoretical framework that guided this study. The theories emphasise the link between mother tongue and the development of L2. The findings of this study show the misunderstandings of the LiEP, the implementation of early transitional bilingual education as well as the lack of confidence in the ability of African languages to provide quality education. The study generally suggests that language policies should be dealt with differently due to the contexts which they address. This study concludes by suggesting a working model that is suitable for the unique linguistic situations of schools. / Linguistics and Modern Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (Linguistics)

Syftet med studien är att undersöka två lärares erfarenheter av att arbeta med svenskundervisning för elever med ett annat modersmål än svenska i grundsärskolan. Studien är en fallstudie där resultatet bygger på två kvalitativa intervjuer med en speciallärare och en lärare som arbetar i grundsärskolan med elever som har ett annat modersmål än svenska. Intervjuerna analyseras med inspiration av ett intersektionellt perspektiv med fokus på att eleverna tillhör de båda kategorierna elever med ett annat modersmål än svenska och elever med en intellektuell funktionsnedsättning. I diskussionskapitlet ses resultatet sedan i relation till aktuell forskning och annan litteratur om flerspråkighet, svenska som andraspråk och intellektuell funktionsnedsättning. Resultatet visar att informanterna bedriver svenskundervisning med stort fokus på elevernas individuella förutsättningar och förmågor. Om eleverna läser enligt kursplanen för svenska (SV) eller svenska som andraspråk (SVA) är för informanterna mindre viktigt. Informanterna menar att det kan föra med sig särskilda svårigheter att eleverna har ett annat modersmål än svenska. Till exempel är det extra svårt att utreda eleverna inför en eventuell inskrivning i grundsärskolan. Det är svårt att veta vilka insatser som ska göras för eleven när det är oklart om elevens svårigheter i skolan beror på språket eller på funktionsnedsättningen. Enligt ett intersektionellt perspektiv finns en risk att man glömmer att en elev har fler kategoritillhörigheter. Dessa olika kategoritillhörigheter påverkar varandra och den som tillhör flera minoritetsgrupper riskerar att utsättas för dubbelt förtryck. I forskningen hittas belägg för att elever med funktionsnedsättning och annat modersmål än majoriteten diskrimineras, både i Sverige och internationellt. Studien visar tydligt att mer kunskap behövs när det gäller elever med annat modersmål än svenska i grundsärskolan. Lärare och annan personal i grundsärskolan behöver också mer kunskap om kursplanen i svenska som andraspråk. / The purpose of this study is to investigate two teachers' experiences regarding the subject Swedish with pupils with a different mother tongue than Swedish in compulsory school for pupils with learning disabilities. The study is a case study where the results are based on two qualitative interviews with a special education teacher and a teacher. They both work in the compulsory school for pupils with learning disabilities with pupils who have a different mother tongue than Swedish. The interviews are analyzed inspired by an intersectional perspective with focus on that the pupils both have a different mother tongue than Swedish and an intellectual disability. In the discussion chapter the results are seen in relation to current research and litterature on multilingualism, Swedish as a second language and intellectual disabilities. The result show that the informants conduct Swedish education with a strong focus on students' individual circumstances and abilities. If students study according to the curriculum for Swedish (SV) or Swedish as a second language (SVA) is less important for the teachers. The informants in this study believe that specific difficulties can arise from the fact that the pupils have a different mother tongue than Swedish. For example, it can be especially difficult to assess students for possible enrollment in compulsory school for pupils with learning disabilities. It is difficult to know what support should be given to the student when it is not clear if the student't difficulties in school are due to language or disability. According to an intersectional perspective there is a risk in forgetting that the student belongs to more than one category. These categories affect each other and those who belong to many minority groups are in risk of double oppression. Research shows that pupils with disabilities and a different mother tongue than the majority are discriminated both in Sweden and internationally. The study clearly shows that more knowledge is needed regarding pupils with a different mother tongue than Swedish in compulsory school for pupils with learning disabilities. Teachers and other personnel in compulsory school for pupils with learning disabilities also need more knowledge about the curriculum in Swedish as a second language.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT : Between Languages – Exploring the potential of exophonic literature for the implementation of didactics of literariness in German foreign language teaching at tertiary level in South Africa This thesis aims to make a contribution to the field of literature study in foreign language teaching in South Africa. It investigates the practical implications of Claire Kramsch’s theory of “symbolic competence” of the multilingual subject, Michael Dobstadt’s and Renate Riedner’s theory of a “Didaktik der Literarizität” as well as theories of multilingualism and exophony. Specifically this thesis looks at how these approaches can be combined and then implemented at advanced levels in foreign language teaching (B1 and B2), namely German modules at Stellenbosch and other South African universities where a multilingual background of language learners is the norm. The thesis thus explores how exophonic literature as an educational tool can help students to improve their language learning and shows the range of possibilities that exophonic literature offers in the field of foreign language learning. On the basis of the theories and a survey amongst the students studying German in their third year in Stellenbosch, two sets of lesson plans are developed for university students with B1/B2 level in Stellenbosch. The literature used was Maja Haderlap‘s poem “Als mir die Sprache abhanden kam” as well as Yoko Tawada’s Essay “Bioskoop der Nacht”. These lesson plans shall serve as examples on how Dobstadt/Riedner’s and Kramsch’s theories can be implemented in practise using exophonic literature in a multilingual environment. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Hierdie tesis beoog om ‘n bydra tot die gebied van literatuurstudie in vreemde taal-onderrig in Suid-Afrika te lewer. Dit bestudeer die praktiese implikasies van Claire Kramsch se teorie “simboliese kompetensie” van veeltaligheid, Michael Dobstadt en Renate Riedner se teorie van ‘n “didaktiek van letterkundigheid” asook ander teorieë van veeltaligheid en “eksofonie”. Daar word veral gefokus op hoe hierdie benaderinge gekombineer kan word en dan toegepas moet word op hoër vlakke van vreemde taal-onderrig (B1 en B2); naamlik by die Duitse modules van Stellenbosch en ander Suid-Afrikaanse universiteite, waar studente met ‘n veeltalige agtergrond die norm is. Die tesis ondersoek dus hoe “eksofoniese” literatuur as onderrigmiddel studente met verbetering van taalvaardighede kan help. Verder stel dit die omvang van moontlikhede ten toon wat “eksofoniese” literatuur in die gebied van vreemde taal-onderrig kan bied. Gebaseer op die bogenoemde teorieë en ‘n opname onder studente wat in hul derdejaar Duits aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch studeer, word twee lesplanne vir Stellenbosch studente op B1/B2 vlak ontwikkel. Die literatuur wat gebruik is, is Maja Haderlap se gedig “Als mir die Sprache abhanden kam” sowel as Yoko Tawada se essay “Bioskoop der Nacht”. Hierdie lesplanne sal dien as voorbeelde van hoe Dobstadt/Riedner en Kramsch se teorieë prakties toegepas kan word deur die gebruik van “eksofoniese” literatuur in ʼn veeltalige omgewing.