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English lingua franca in the South African tertiary classroom: recognising the value of diversity

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Globalisation has led to the use of English lingua franca (ELF) in many international
classrooms and in the majority of the South African tertiary education institutions. The South
African situation and use of ELF is grounded in the historic developments of the country and
an understanding that it is an international requirement for individuals to have access to
English language skills to enable them to realise their potential and participate fully within
South African society (CHE, 2002:4). While the development of the previously neglected
field of African languages as scientific and academic languages remains a priority, examining
the use of ELF in the South African tertiary classroom is essential; therefore, this study
explores the use of ELF in the South African tertiary education classroom to understand the
role of linguistic diversity in the learning environment. Particular attention is directed to the
linguistic repertoires of students, their codeswitching behaviour and instances of
miscommunication. The study was conducted at a university of technology and participants
were observed during group work sessions, which culminated in a formal assessment.
Questionnaires were also utilised to gain further data for analysis.
Findings indicate that the role of English as a global economic language should not be
underestimated. However, the promotion of multilingualism is advocated and attention should
be given to not only the promulgation of language policies, but also their implementation.
Furthermore, flexibility in language should be encouraged, with a move away from the
traditional use of one language for teaching and learning to a translanguaging classroom and
an assessment environment, which brings to the forefront the benefits of translanguaging,
where one language is used to reinforce and increase understanding in the other languages
(Garcia & Wei, 2014:64). This will assist students to reach their full potential in the tertiary
education environment. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Globalisasie het gelei tot die gebruik van Engelse lingua franca (ELF) in baie internasionale
klaskamers, sowel as in die meerderheid van Suid-Afrika se tersiêre onderwysinsitute.
Die Suid-Afrikaanse situasie en die gebruik van ELF is gegrond op die historiese
ontwikkelings in die land. Elke student moet, om sy volle potensiaal te ontwikkel en volkome
deel te wees van die Suid-Afrikaanse gemeenskap, Engels taalvaardig wees, wat in elk geval
'n internasionale vereiste is (CHE, 2002:4).
Terwyl die ontwikkeling van Afrika-tale (wat voorheen nie so baie aandag gekry het nie) as 'n
wetenskap- en akademiese taal steeds die voorkeur geniet, moet die ondersoek in die gebruik
van ELF in die Suid Afrikaanse klaskamers gesien word as ʼn uiters belangrike onderwerp.
Hierdie navorsing ondersoek die gebruik van ELF in die Suid-Afrikaanse tersiêre klaskamer.
Die doel is dan om die rol van linguistieke diversiteit in die leeromgewing, naamlik die
klaskamer, na te vors. Spesifieke aandag is gegee aan die studente se linguistieke
vaardighede, kodewisseling en kommunikasiebreuke.
Hierdie navorsing is gedoen by 'n universiteit van tegnologie en deelnemers is waargeneem
tydens groepwerksessies. Die waarnemings is ten slotte saamgevat in 'n formele assessering.
Vraelyste is ook gebruik om inligting te verkry vir verdere ontleding. Bevindings het bewys
dat die rol van Engels as ʼn globale ekonomiese taal nie onderskat moet word nie. Alhoewel
die bevordering van veeltaligheid bepleit word, moet aandag nie net gegee word aan die
teorie van taalbeleide nie, maar ook aan die uitvoering hiervan. Buigsaamheid moet verder in
taalonderrig aangemoedig word deur weg te beweeg van die tradisionele gebruik van slegs
een taal vir onderrig en leer. Daar behoort dus meer as een taal in die klaskamer en op
assesseringsgebiede gebruik te word; dit sal lei tot die versterking en beter verstandhouding
tussen tale (Garcia & Wei, 2014:64). Dit sal leerders ondersteun om hulle volle potensiaal te
bereik in ʼn tersiêre onderwys-omgewing.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/98075
Date12 1900
CreatorsScott, Linda
ContributorsHuddlestone, K., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of General Linguistics.
PublisherStellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
Languageen_ZA
Detected LanguageUnknown
TypeThesis
Format144 pages : illustrations
RightsStellenbosch University

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