Foundation Phase teachers’ experiences with instruction in the mother tongue in the Eastern Cape
Background: The perception that educating learners using their mother tongue contributes positively to educational and learning outcomes is well documented. Aim: This study explores the purported benefits of employing the mother tongue in teaching Foundation Phase (FP) learners. Specifically, the s...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
AOSIS
2019-11-01
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| Series: | South African Journal of Childhood Education |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://sajce.co.za/index.php/sajce/article/view/658 |
| _version_ | 1818338902124003328 |
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| author | Madoda Cekiso Thenjiwe Meyiwa Mashudu Mashige |
| author_facet | Madoda Cekiso Thenjiwe Meyiwa Mashudu Mashige |
| author_sort | Madoda Cekiso |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The perception that educating learners using their mother tongue contributes positively to educational and learning outcomes is well documented.
Aim: This study explores the purported benefits of employing the mother tongue in teaching Foundation Phase (FP) learners. Specifically, the study focuses on an examination of the experiences of teachers of isiXhosa (one of the indigenous languages in South Africa) and explains the effects of employing isiXhosa in teaching at the FP (Grades 1–3).
Setting: The study was conducted in three rural schools in the Eastern Cape.
Methods: The study utilised a qualitative approach and case study design was followed. The sample comprised nine FP teachers (one male and eight females) who were selected purposively from three public schools. Three FP teachers were selected from each school and the one-on-one interview was used to collect data. The collected data were analysed thematically.
Results: This study revealed that a majority of FP teachers had not received training to teach subjects using isiXhosa as a medium of instruction. This study also revealed that teachers encountered numerous difficulties in teaching mathematics and life skills using isiXhosa as a medium because of lack of vocabulary to match mathematics and life skills concepts.
Conclusion: The authors suggest that teacher training institutions should provide adequate and relevant professional training to FP teachers so that they could teach in isiXhosa optimally. The authors also suggest that all textbooks, readers, educational media, study guides and related literature be made available in isiXhosa. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T15:18:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9391712dcb164af69ec3fa57ee6c72ac |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2223-7674 2223-7682 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T15:18:29Z |
| publishDate | 2019-11-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Journal of Childhood Education |
| spelling | doaj.art-9391712dcb164af69ec3fa57ee6c72ac2022-12-21T23:40:38ZengAOSISSouth African Journal of Childhood Education2223-76742223-76822019-11-0191e1e1010.4102/sajce.v9i1.658364Foundation Phase teachers’ experiences with instruction in the mother tongue in the Eastern CapeMadoda Cekiso0Thenjiwe Meyiwa1Mashudu Mashige2Department of Applied Languages, Tshwane University of Technology, PretoriaOffice of the DVC Research, University of South Africa, PretoriaSchool of Human and Social Sciences, University of Venda, ThohoyandouBackground: The perception that educating learners using their mother tongue contributes positively to educational and learning outcomes is well documented. Aim: This study explores the purported benefits of employing the mother tongue in teaching Foundation Phase (FP) learners. Specifically, the study focuses on an examination of the experiences of teachers of isiXhosa (one of the indigenous languages in South Africa) and explains the effects of employing isiXhosa in teaching at the FP (Grades 1–3). Setting: The study was conducted in three rural schools in the Eastern Cape. Methods: The study utilised a qualitative approach and case study design was followed. The sample comprised nine FP teachers (one male and eight females) who were selected purposively from three public schools. Three FP teachers were selected from each school and the one-on-one interview was used to collect data. The collected data were analysed thematically. Results: This study revealed that a majority of FP teachers had not received training to teach subjects using isiXhosa as a medium of instruction. This study also revealed that teachers encountered numerous difficulties in teaching mathematics and life skills using isiXhosa as a medium because of lack of vocabulary to match mathematics and life skills concepts. Conclusion: The authors suggest that teacher training institutions should provide adequate and relevant professional training to FP teachers so that they could teach in isiXhosa optimally. The authors also suggest that all textbooks, readers, educational media, study guides and related literature be made available in isiXhosa.https://sajce.co.za/index.php/sajce/article/view/658south africamother tongue teachingteacher experiencesteacher training institutionsmother tongue based education |
| spellingShingle | Madoda Cekiso Thenjiwe Meyiwa Mashudu Mashige Foundation Phase teachers’ experiences with instruction in the mother tongue in the Eastern Cape South African Journal of Childhood Education south africa mother tongue teaching teacher experiences teacher training institutions mother tongue based education |
| title | Foundation Phase teachers’ experiences with instruction in the mother tongue in the Eastern Cape |
| title_full | Foundation Phase teachers’ experiences with instruction in the mother tongue in the Eastern Cape |
| title_fullStr | Foundation Phase teachers’ experiences with instruction in the mother tongue in the Eastern Cape |
| title_full_unstemmed | Foundation Phase teachers’ experiences with instruction in the mother tongue in the Eastern Cape |
| title_short | Foundation Phase teachers’ experiences with instruction in the mother tongue in the Eastern Cape |
| title_sort | foundation phase teachers experiences with instruction in the mother tongue in the eastern cape |
| topic | south africa mother tongue teaching teacher experiences teacher training institutions mother tongue based education |
| url | https://sajce.co.za/index.php/sajce/article/view/658 |
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