M.A. (Applied Linguistics) / The central concern of the research study is the academic underachievement of the student. The problem is probed by looking at the language and learning difficulties encountered by the student as he strives to cope with the demands of his academic programme. The research target group consists of students registered inter alia, to do English 100, a course that exposes the students to literary texts. Since the group is at the entry level to university education, the complex of adjustments which confront the student offer stimulating theoretical possibilities. Illumination to the problem is sought in three related directions, viz the semanticconceptual, the sociocultural and an encapsulation strategy. In its general orientation the study looks beyond the student and the lecture room in seeking answers to vexing educational problems. The research method used is, in the main, eclectic with a predilection to approaches that lend themselves more amenably to the sociocultural and experiential undergirding of the investigation as a whole. . The main findings identify the key players on whom initiatives towards alleviation and amelioration largely depends. Above all, the problem is conceived as sociocultural, for which only a socioculturally adequate solution can ever be viable. The perceived significance of the research study is its serious attempt to ask educationally significant questions. It however, does not claim to offer answers in such an intricate area of human endeavour.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:3966 |
| Date | 13 February 2014 |
| Creators | Masebenza, Benson James |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Johannesburg |
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