ENGLISH

promote the use of primary languages as languages of learning and teaching (LoLT);

support the idea of mother/home language education from the primary level to the highest level of education; support the development of educators in their profession and develop materials so as to raise the status of the primary languages; romote multilingualism in schools; develop strategies and campaigns for a multilingual education; identify areas in language in education, which will lead to further language development; and serve as an advisory body to the Department of Education on policy and curriculum development issues.

THE VALUE AND IMPACT OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION

Language in Education is central to the promotion and development of the South African languages,especially those languages which were previously marginalised.  The PanSALB supports: the recognition, promotion and development of all South African languages, especially those which were previously marginalised, through a home language instruction and multilingual policy; findings in research conducted so far which lays emphasis on the value of home language as a language of learning and teaching (LoLT) for cognitive development during formative years; and thinking which suggests that a solid foundation in learning is based on good early cognitive development.

MULTILINGUALISM IN EDUCATION

The South African Language policy reflects a strong position on multilingualism.  Multilingual education entails the provision of effective bilingual education.  By implementing this policy, the following should result: empowerment and national development of individuals and communities;acceleration of development by the promotion of an equitable use of the official languages in South Africa, with special emphasis on previously marginalised languages; increased awareness in the campaign for language rights, as well as equal access to knowledge and information for all citizens; and increase in feelings of national unity and the value of multiculturalism expressed through multilingualism. In practice multilingualism implies that, whereas home language receives priority as the language of learning and teaching (LoLT), an additional second language should/could be developed simultaneously either as a subject only or as a second language of learning and teaching.The government and the Department of Education espouse an additive approach to multilingualism.The PanSALB regards multilingualism as central to the development and promotion of all official languages in South Africa, especially those which were previously marginalised, the South African Sign language as well as the Khoe, the San and the Nama languages. Since linguistic diversity becomes a barrier to cross-cultural communication, the PanSALB believes that active promotion of multilingualism is a very desirable means of achieving communication.

 EDUCATORS DISCUSSION FORUM

The Forum will be created as a platform for educators to exchange professional knowledge and ideas. It will help to bridge the gap between educators and break down the feeling of isolation amongst teachers. It will encourage and stimulate research among individual scholars and educators. The sharing of teaching methods in a multilingual environment across the curriculum will be encouraged by its operation. A spirit of renaissance characterised by an exchange of ideas should be promoted through multilingualism. The existence of the forum will enable the concept of twinning to be put into practice. The twinning will give rise to the formation of the Learners Forum, which could grow into a global network (Learners’ multilingual chat corner).

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Research and development (abstracts, contact details and links).Completed projects Learner’s perception of the teaching and learning of isiXhosa first language in the Eastern and Western Cape High School’ by G. Barkhuizen. The main objective of the researcher was to discover the cause of poor performance and lack of interest in African languages. (Click for more information.) The bilingual (English/Lesotho sa Leboa) collection of 12 past Physical Science matriculation question papers and their solutions by P.T.Pare. The findings should disclose whether student performance is improved because of the use of a language other than English for revision. (Click for more information.) The Breakthrough to Literacy, Grade 2 and 3 by Molteno Project. This project aimed at material development for Grades 2 and

3.  The developed material promotes mother tongue and/or dual medium instruction.  The MacDonald baseline of evaluation and report proves to be valuable information for material developers. (Click for more information.)4.       Grade 1 Mother tongue Literacy project by SAILI Project.This development project aims at establishing a firm foundation for every learner’s understanding of mathematical concepts, equipping teachers with skills to teach reading and deal with multilingual classrooms (bi-literacy).

(Click for more information.)Projects in progress1.  Dual medium Schools Programme by P. Plüddemann.The aim of the research is to combat the widespread belief that English is the only language of educational value. (Click for more information.)2.   An investigation of the possible effects of English education on Home language competence by S. Suzman.The research aims at assessing the effects of English on Home language competence in Grade 5.

(Click for more information.)

CALENDAR OF EVENTS