South Africa has 11 official languages enshrined in the Constitution of the country. An additional language, sign language was approved as an official language at the end of 2008. The Constitution of the Republic of S...South Africa has 11 official languages enshrined in the Constitution of the country. An additional language, sign language was approved as an official language at the end of 2008. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996 emphasise teaching and learning through any mother tongue, a learner would understand best. Section 29（1） of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa categorically states that： ＂Everyone has the right to receive education in the official language or languages of their choice in public educational institutions where that education is reasonably practicable＂. However, most text books written in English have been prescribed at many schools. One is not certain whether the subjects are taught in English or in the indigenous language at these schools. In the end, those teachers use the mother tongue, together with English, in teaching learners. This result in code switching and code mixing takes place in classes, which are meant to facilitate communication across barriers of colour, language, and region, while creating an environment in which respect for languages other than one＇s own would be encouraged. Teaching and learning in one＇s mother tongue promotes full participation in the economy of the country. The aim of the paper is to investigate teaching and learning in Vhembe primary schools of the Limpopo Province in South Africa, within the framework of existing legislation. This will be compared with empirical evidence. The researcher seeks to establish what language（s） primary schools use for teaching and learning. Based on this, conclusions and recommendations will be made to assist stakeholders in language-in-education policy formulation.展开更多
文摘South Africa has 11 official languages enshrined in the Constitution of the country. An additional language, sign language was approved as an official language at the end of 2008. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996 emphasise teaching and learning through any mother tongue, a learner would understand best. Section 29（1） of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa categorically states that： ＂Everyone has the right to receive education in the official language or languages of their choice in public educational institutions where that education is reasonably practicable＂. However, most text books written in English have been prescribed at many schools. One is not certain whether the subjects are taught in English or in the indigenous language at these schools. In the end, those teachers use the mother tongue, together with English, in teaching learners. This result in code switching and code mixing takes place in classes, which are meant to facilitate communication across barriers of colour, language, and region, while creating an environment in which respect for languages other than one＇s own would be encouraged. Teaching and learning in one＇s mother tongue promotes full participation in the economy of the country. The aim of the paper is to investigate teaching and learning in Vhembe primary schools of the Limpopo Province in South Africa, within the framework of existing legislation. This will be compared with empirical evidence. The researcher seeks to establish what language（s） primary schools use for teaching and learning. Based on this, conclusions and recommendations will be made to assist stakeholders in language-in-education policy formulation.
