This thesis explores and discusses the current practice of English as a Second Language (ESL) evaluation primarily in terms of validity, authenticity, and experiential groundedness. The researcher endeavours to apply theories of ESL evaluation to actual practice, analyzing the differences or harmonization between with regard to validity, authenticity, experiential groundedness and some other factors identified as being important in evaluation in language acquisition situations, particularly CRTs, NRTs, foramtive and summative evaluations. Ethnographic inquiry is used for obtaining data. A program case study, a technique of qualitative research, is used for this study. The purpose is to gather some genuine data from the interviewees which are real and revealing, thus enabling the researcher to gain particular insights relative to the aims of his study. The analysis aspires to give voice to interviewee's on ESL evaluation in terms of validity, authenticity, and experiential groundedness, along with other factors noted above. This report sets out to determine how or if validity, authenticity, and experiential groundedness, along with some other factors identified above, are integrated elements of an efficient and effective ESL evaluation. Such was found to ve the case and it was also found that these can be reinforced by guaranteeing that an evaluation targets its population closely, adopting real-life approaches and, establishing linkages between evaluation and prior knowledge and skills. / xi, 156 leaves ; 28 cm.

D.Ed. (Educational Linguistics) / This study focuses on the language learning patterns and processes of ten English Second Language pupils in a Johannesburg inner-city school. The investigation was undertaken with the aim of describing and clarifying these patterns and processes by means of a case study (monographic study) design which included mostly qualitative methods for data collection. The rationale for the study was that the demographic character of a typical inner-city school presupposes that a substantial number of pupils would not be proficient in the language of instruction. The specific problems encountered by these pupils, in this type of setting, needed a scientific investigation, with a view to identifying and clarifying the nature of these pupils' language learning. The South African urban context, where inner-city schools are being founded at an increasing pace, needed a local study to shed some light on the issue of English Second Language learning for school learning. The literature review consisted of readings in second language learning, the relatedness of language, culture and cognition and the characteristics of the typical inner-city school. The theory framework constructed from the review concluded with the theoretical premise that the inner-city pupil need not be pathologised as a language learner and that poverty, culture, ethnicity, although impacting on learning, can manifest in a variant pedagogy such as proposed by Bartolome (1994). The field investigation, which was conducted over one year, included data collection from three sources or constituents, namely the ten pupils of the monographic studies, their parents or caregivers, and the teacher. These data were consolidated, reduced and clustered, emanating in final empirical findings which were confirmed via the different methods and sources. The categories of data indicated, among others, that the pupils' reading comprehension was limited, that their syntactic knowledqe was undeveloped, that their pronunciation of English and limited vocabulary are obstacles in their communication and that they had a positive attitude towards English as medium of instruction. In the interpretation phase of this study, when the theory framework, with additional reading, was implemented in the clarification of the empirical findings, it was evident that the pupils' progress in English could be related to the role of the home, more than to variables at school. This aspect of the interpretation argument was selected as the focus for the construction of a model for home and English curriculum integration. This model is presented as an implementable and verifiable model for practice firstly, but also as a guideline for policy and research.

M.Ed. / The need to redress the educational deficiencies of the workforce and adult population generally is enormous, especially in the poverty stricken rural areas of the country. While the government has committed itself to redressing adult illiteracy, there are other issues like the language policy which make the situation even more complex. Although the country has eleven official languages, all of which have been recognized and given equal status, it is generally accepted that English will remain an important language of wider communication and of international communication for South Africa. The aim of this study is to explore the teaching of literacy in English as a second language (ESL) in literacy programmes in a rural area of Mapulaneng, in the Mpumalanga Province. For this aim to be achieved, an interpretive design is applied, and qualitative data-collection methods are used, which include the analysis of written documents, observations and interviews. The major finding of this investigation is: The teaching of literacy in ESL is not successful in Mapulaneng, a rural area of the Mpumalanga Province. The main reasons for this are: • The teaching of English literacy is approached inappropriately. Adult learners are not literate in the first language commonly used at the centres - Northern Sotho. The main implications of the findings are: There is a need for the training of literacy teachers in this rural area of Mapulaneng. There is a need for some form of communication between the Department of Education and Culture and all the stakeholders involved in adult education. Although not replacing the other languages, English should remain as the main language of learning.

A growing number of American businesses are offering ESL courses at the work site; likewise, more and more textbooks designed specifically for teaching ESL in the Workplace (EWP), are being written and published. The need for an evaluation of these new texts with regard to current teaching methodology, the particularities of EWP, and the social implications of EWP is a vital one. A good EWP text, besides serving as a guide and resource for learners, can also facilitate intercultural understanding, increase awareness of workers' rights and unions, and promote participation in training programs for job flexibility and promotion. Most importantly, a good EWP textbook can develop the skills necessary for learners, not simply to fit into the American world of work, but to become active participants in their workplaces. This study was intended to determine what EWP texts are currently available, and to evaluate them in light of three primary concerns: the social implications of their contents, their portrayal of workplace culture and relationships, and their effectiveness in exploring issues of conflict and unfairness at work.

Within medical facilities in South Africa, including the Western Cape, language barriers often exist between healthcare professionals and their patients. This can cause a barrier to efficient patient treatment. In order to address this problem, educational institutions in the Western Cape have started to introduce Xhosa language facilitation for healthcare professionals. In order to facilitate the learning of this additional language, the use of e-learning as a complement to traditional classroom lectures was investigated. The students who participated in this Xhosa language facilitation were specifically identified. This study was quantitative in nature and questionnaires were used. It was concluded that the combination of lectures and the complementary e-learning component helps to improve the student’s ability to learn an additional language, in this case Xhosa. Recommendations were made that would possibly alleviate the problem of language barriers in healthcare settings in the Western Cape. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

Within medical facilities in South Africa, including the Western Cape, language barriers often exist between healthcare professionals and their patients. This can cause a barrier to efficient patient treatment. In order to address this problem, educational institutions in the Western Cape have started to introduce Xhosa language facilitation for healthcare professionals. In order to facilitate the learning of this additional language, the use of e-learning as a complement to traditional classroom lectures was investigated. The students who participated in this Xhosa language facilitation were specifically identified. This study was quantitative in nature and questionnaires were used. It was concluded that the combination of lectures and the complementary e-learning component helps to improve the student’s ability to learn an additional language, in this case Xhosa. Recommendations were made that would possibly alleviate the problem of language barriers in healthcare settings in the Western Cape. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

Chu Shun-lung. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 118-126). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ABSTRACT (English version) --- p.i / ABSTRACT (Chinese version) --- p.ii / ACKNOWLEGEMENTS --- p.iii / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Overview --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Further description of the problem and objectives of the study --- p.2 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.5 / Chapter 2.1 --- The language situation in Hong Kong --- p.5 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- The role of English in Hong Kong --- p.5 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- The education system in Hong Kong --- p.9 / Chapter 2.1.2.1 --- The medium of instruction --- p.9 / Chapter 2.1.2.2 --- The banding system --- p.13 / Chapter 2.1.2.3 --- The examination-oriented curriculum --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Motivation of Hong Kong students in English learning --- p.17 / Chapter 2.2 --- The Native-speaking English Teacher (NET) Scheme --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Longitudinal review of the development --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Critical analysis of the scheme --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2.2.1 --- Local teachers' complaints --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2.2.2 --- The NETs' comments --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2.2.3 --- Views expressed by the school authorities --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.2.4 --- An ideal model --- p.35 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- DATA COLLECTION --- p.36 / Chapter 3.1 --- Research in education --- p.36 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Primary vs. Secondary research --- p.36 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Qualitative vs. Quantitative research --- p.36 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- The Case Study research approach --- p.37 / Chapter 3.1.3.1 --- The Case Study: Qualitative perspective --- p.37 / Chapter 3.1.3.2 --- The Case Study: Qualitative-Quantitative perspective - --- p.38 / Chapter 3.1.3.3 --- Influence from other disciplines --- p.38 / Chapter 3.1.3.4 --- Intrinsic vs. Instrumental study --- p.39 / Chapter 3.1.3.5 --- Six different types --- p.39 / Chapter 3.1.3.6 --- Merits and limitations of the Case Study --- p.40 / Chapter 3.1.3.7 --- Grey area? --- p.44 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- The Case Study approach for investigating the NET scheme ´ؤ´ؤ --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2 --- Selection of subjects for the study --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- The selection process --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Description of subjects --- p.46 / Chapter 3.3 --- Procedures of the study --- p.46 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- RESULTS --- p.51 / Chapter 4.1 --- Students' questionnaires --- p.51 / Chapter 4.2 --- NETs´ة questionnaires --- p.58 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- ANALYSIS OF RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ´ؤ´ؤ --- p.60 / Chapter 5.1 --- Descriptions of the four cases --- p.60 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- Teacher A - a successful demonstrator --- p.60 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Teacher B-a depressed survivor --- p.63 / Chapter 5.1.3 --- Teacher C - a well-prepared adaptation --- p.67 / Chapter 5.1.4 --- Teacher D-a problematic adaptation --- p.70 / Chapter 5.2 --- Implications from the cases - --- p.72 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Cultural adaptation in Hong Kong --- p.72 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- School adaptation --- p.74 / Chapter 5.2.2.1 --- Relationship with local teachers --- p.75 / Chapter 5.2.2.2 --- Allocation of duties --- p.77 / Chapter 5.2.2.3 --- Team-teaching - --- p.78 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Classroom adaptation --- p.81 / Chapter 5.2.3.1 --- Class size --- p.81 / Chapter 5.2.3.2 --- Classroom management --- p.82 / Chapter 5.2.3.3 --- Teaching styles --- p.85 / Chapter 5.2.3.4 --- Students' perspectives --- p.88 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- Positive experience --- p.90 / Chapter 5.3 --- The induction programme - - --- p.91 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- The design of the induction programme --- p.91 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Comments and suggestions --- p.93 / Chapter 5.4 --- Recommendations for the improvement of the NET scheme --- p.97 / Chapter 5.4.1 --- The Education Department --- p.97 / Chapter 5.4.1.1 --- The recruitment process --- p.98 / Chapter 5.4.1.2 --- Allocation of schools --- p.100 / Chapter 5.4.1.3 --- Communication with the NETs --- p.101 / Chapter 5.4.1.4 --- Urgency for reform --- p.102 / Chapter 5.4.2 --- The school authorities --- p.104 / Chapter 5.4.2.1 --- The role of the NETs in the school --- p.105 / Chapter 5.4.2.2 --- The value of team-teaching --- p.106 / Chapter 5.4.3 --- The NETs --- p.106 / Chapter 5.4.3.1 --- Cultivation of social circle --- p.107 / Chapter 5.4.3.2 --- Gaining support from local colleagues --- p.107 / Chapter 5.4.3.3 --- Participation in extra-curricular activities --- p.107 / Chapter 5.5 --- The value of the NET scheme --- p.108 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- CONCLUSION --- p.110 / Chapter 6.1 --- Pedagogical implications --- p.110 / Chapter 6.1.1 --- Understanding of the learners --- p.110 / Chapter 6.1.2 --- Adaptation of the teaching style --- p.111 / Chapter 6.2 --- Limitations of the present study --- p.112 / Chapter 6.3 --- Implications for further research --- p.114 / Chapter 6.4 --- Summary and conclusion --- p.115 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.118 / APPENDICES --- p.127 / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.128 / APPENDIX A GENERAL TABLES --- p.129 / APPENDIX B GENERAL FIGURES --- p.136 / APPENDIX C FORMS --- p.138 / APPENDIX D QUESTIONNAIRE FOR STUDENTS --- p.145 / APPENDIX E QUESTIONNAIRE FOR TEACHERS --- p.149 / APPENDIX F QUESTIONNAIRE FROM 'YOUNG POST' --- p.154 / APPENDIX G STATISTICAL RESULTS --- p.157 / APPENDIX H TRANSCRIPTS OF INTERVIEWS --- p.196

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

‘A critical review of language errors in the writing of distance education students’ examines linguistic competence and investigates the language errors made by a heterogeneous group of 100 entry-level distance education university students with a view to improving their academic writing skills. The research follows a process of error identification and statistical analysis, and reviews intervention strategies based on the findings. Despite the continuing debates on the value of error correction, especially in relation to ‘World Englishes’, language accuracy remains a key factor in determining academic success. This is of particular concern in the South African multi-lingual context and in the light of the under-performance of South African students as evidenced in international comparative studies. The implications of the bimodal pattern of distribution in the review findings are discussed and pedagogically appropriate approaches and intervention strategies are suggested. / English Studies / M.A. (TESOL (Teaching English to speakers of other languages))

South African indigenous language teaching and learning materials do not provide sufficient information to help additional language learners learn the target languages effectively. While there are institutions that are tasked with developing and sharpening the skills of students in speaking South African indigenous languages, such students hardly, if at all master the art of speaking them eloquently. Students who study these languages in order to converse proficiently with their mother-tongue speakers experience insurmountable difficulties, in spite of various efforts made by the teachers who train them to read books on their own. Passing their examinations does not mean that the students’ ability to communicate with mother-tongue speakers will improve to the extent of eliminating the prevailing misunderstanding between the two groups. The persistence of this problem reveals a discrepancy between the studies of indigenous languages in South Africa and the way of speaking them, whereby important linguistic elements that make communication more authentic are excluded in language materials. This study analyses the use and significance of CIFWs in daily interactions by investigating the two Xhosa CIFWs words wethu and bethu. The overall aim of this study is to explore the use of a corpus in the examination of CIFWs in general, and wethu and bethu in particular. Both a quantitative approach based on the Gothenburg-Unisa spoken corpus and a qualitative approach based on Allwoods’ ACA theoretical framework were used in the analysis and description of the functions and significances of wethu and bethu as communicative and interactive function words. / Linguistics / MA ((Applied Linguistics)