ERIC Number: EJ1410577
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0313-7155
EISSN: EISSN-1837-6290
Available Date: N/A
Exploring the Impact of Bilingual Education in the Foundation Phase in South Africa
Issues in Educational Research, v33 n4 p1461-1477 2023
This paper explores the efficacy of implementing bilingual education in the Foundation Phase in South Africa. Doctrinal analysis was used as a data collection tool wherein English and Xitsonga were both used as mediums of instruction in the Foundation Phase. To acquire empirical evidence used to add doctrinal data, eight contact sessions were arranged with four selected schools. Four teachers were observed teaching English and thereafter, Xitsonga classes in one day, to evaluate how learners switch from one lesson to the other. Data shows that on some occasions learners were confused by learning one thing in two languages but in some cases, it aided in understanding the concepts better. Moreover, as learners at the Foundation Phase have little knowledge of English, teachers use translanguaging to anchor communication. Although the use of Xitsonga Home Language in an English First Additional Language class contradicts the departmental policy, teachers are compelled to help bilingual learners use the linguistic repertoires available to acquire information.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Bilingual Education, Native Language Instruction, Second Language Learning, Elementary School Students, English (Second Language), Language of Instruction, Educational Policy, Native Language, Language Usage, Classroom Communication, Teacher Student Relationship, Code Switching (Language)
Western Australian Institute for Educational Research Inc. 5/202 Coode Street, Como, Western Australia 6152, Australia. e-mail: editor@iier.org.au; Web site: http://www.iier.org.au/iier.html
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: South Africa
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A