Research 

This thesis examines the teaching practices and ideas about language and teaching that Foundation Phase educators hold as regard literacy and language issues, and the effect of these ideas and practices on children’s learning. An ethnographic-style case study approach was used to examine classroom-based literacy and language practices. Qualitative classroom-based data indicated a disjuncture between educators' conceptualisations about early learning and their literacy teaching practices and that the teaching practices that were evident did not facilitate successful learning on the part of the learners despite the availability and use of isiXhosa as a medium of instruction. Instead, classroom literacy lessons were limited to rote learning and memorisation, which resulted in learners being passive recipients of literacy knowledge. The study concludes that home language instruction does not of itself guarantee academic success, as learners struggle to learn when are not given the freedom to participate in classroom activities and to become active learners, despite being taught in their home language. 

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Cape Town, 2011