Investigating kinds of support provided to primary school learners to alleviate language as a barrier to learning with specific reference to grades 4-6
Abstract
The main purpose of the study is to investigate the kinds of support given to learners who
experience language as a barrier to learning, and the support given to educators in order
to support learners with this barrier. The study was interested in learners who experience
language as a barrier to teaching and learning, triggered by the learners who are unable
to read and write in class in grades 4 to 6 at the primary school. The study was carried
out in five primary schools that fall under Ngaka Modiri Molema Municipality in Ratlou
sub-district. The researcher selected ten English educators, 2 in each of the selected
primary schools who are teaching language in grades 4-6. The 10 grade 4-6 educators
were easily accessible and were willing to participate. One-on-one semi-semi-structured
interviews were carried out with these educators. A one-on-one semi-structured interview
was carried out with two officials from DBST, and one educator from the SBST from each
of the five selected schools.
Thematic data analysis was used to interpret data from interviews. Four themes emerged
from data analysis. The themes that emerged are challenges faced by grade 4-6 learners
in acquiring speaking, reading, writing, and spelling skills, factors causing language
barriers, support given to educators for learners with language barriers, and strategies
that can be used to help learners with language barriers. The themes were discussed
making reference to literature in the study. The findings reveal that some learners are
encountering language barriers for listening, speaking, reading and writing. The
Department is assisting learners with barriers, but such learners need to be provided with
the necessary support that encompasses provision of necessary teaching and learning
materials and application of relevant teaching approaches. The study recommends that
the Department of Basic Education (DBE) should provide the necessary support on
screened learners with English language learning barriers. After being screened, then the
support that is necessary must be offered to such learners in an inclusive classroom.
Collections
- Education [1695]
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