Thesis (MPhil (Modern Foreign Languages))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / The continuing decline in Matriculation pass rates is a matter of concern for
government, educators, parents and students in South African schools.
According to official statistics, only 8% of South Africans are mother-tongue
English speakers, yet English is the chief language of learning and teaching
in South African schools. Researchers relate the poor pass rate to
inadequate proficiency in English of both English First Additional Language
learners and some of their teachers. Research has further revealed a
significant positive correlation between reading comprehension and academic
achievement.
Consensus exists among researchers about the necessity of a basic
vocabulary (variously estimated at 2000 to 3000 words and more) for
developing the necessary reading comprehension. Theories and approaches
regarding the development of vocabulary, however, are sometimes
diametrically opposed to one another. Among the most conflicting theories
are those which advocate the acquisition of vocabulary by guessing the
meanings of words from the context as opposed to those favouring conscious
and deliberate vocabulary teaching, which may include lists of words.
The current study briefly investigates underlying problems, theories,
methods and approaches to enhancing learners’ vocabularies. Conclusions
are applied to the development of an interactive, multimedia program for
improving learners’ functional vocabularies. The content of the program is
based on authentic texts and simulations of situations which call for language
interaction. This is supplemented with extracts from classical literary works
and poetry and entertaining verses which present possibilities for use in
vocabulary building.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/1829 |
| Date | 03 1900 |
| Creators | Ekron, Anna Cecilia |
| Contributors | Du Toit, Renate, University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Modern Foreign Languages. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Stellenbosch |
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