Indigenous African languages as agents of change in the transformation of higher education institutions in South Africa: Unisa

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Periodical article

Title:	Indigenous African languages as agents of change in the transformation of higher education institutions in South Africa: Unisa
Author:	Phaahla, Pinkie
Year:	2014
Periodical:	Nordic Journal of African Studies (ISSN 1459-9465)
Volume:	23
Issue:	1
Pages:	31-56
Language:	English
Geographic term:	South Africa
Subjects:	languages of instruction higher education multilingualism language policy educational reform
External link:	https://njas.fi/njas/article/view/154/144
Abstract:	The promotion of multilingual education can be regarded as a force that is driving change in language teaching and learning. The existing literature refers to the positive impact of new discourses and interventions on non-English home-language speakers' efforts to learn English successfully as a subject in school. However, the effectiveness of English 2nd Language (EL2) teaching interventions remains a bone of contention. In this paper, the author therefore investigates whether or not issues of mother-tongue and multilingual education have been placed at the centre of educational reform. The paper is based on a situation analysis of multilingual language policies in 18 institutions of higher learning in South Africa. Unisa (a national and international university) is perceived as a major force in achieving this goal in South Africa. It was found that students' perceptions of language matters are not reflected in Unisa's language policy planning. App., bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract]