Christa van der Walt

In this number the authors cover three themes: (i) the practice of reading and the development of reading comprehension, (ii) assessment and (iii) the use of electronic devices in language teaching. We have not included a teaching note for a long time and in this number, we include research by Nkomo that provide very practical guidelines for teachers to implement an extensive reading programme for multilingual learners in the foundation phase.

The use of the ecology metaphor is widespread in language studies, particularly in discussions about language policy and planning and minority language maintenance. Attributed to Haugen (1972), the metaphor emphasises the context in which languages are used, providing a holistic view of language and communication practices in a particular environment. Some authors link language diversity explicitly to environmental protection, noting that biodiversity coincides with language diversity (Krauss, 1992; Nettle and Romaine, 2000; Skutnab-Kangas, Maffi, and Harmon, 2003). The ecology metaphor seems to be linked mainly to the conservation of minoritized languages. In this article the argument is put forward that we need to recognise the limits of this metaphor where newly emerging languages are concerned. The implicit metaphor in the term ‘language ecology’ depends on an understanding of the natural world, so it can be argued that just as new species and new habitats are being discovered in the natural world, new languages should be acknowledged as part of the language landscape. Using the example of Sepitori and other urban varieties in South Africa, the article supports the recognition of newly emerging languages because it has important implications for education and for the potential of translanguaging classroom practices.

Ethno-linguistically diverse South African students' writing

As a result of transnational mobility of students and attempts to widen access to higher education, university campuses have become increasingly multilingual. Responses to this phenomenon have ranged from resistance (sticking to a local and established language) to wide-ranging attempts to become English-medium institutions. The fact that student populations can differ from one semester and one year to the next means that it becomes difficult to plan language-in-education strategies and practices. In the context of South African higher education, this paper argues that lecturers who teach multilingual classes cannot depend on policy makers to create circumstances in which deep learning will take place. It becomes necessary to think in terms of micro-planning (Baldauf 2006), or perhaps rather classroom strategies, to create spaces for multilingual learning.

This article investigates university students’ attitudes and perceptions about language in a multilingual country where most instruction is in English and annual national literacy results have been declining for at least 15 years. Despite this decline, English seems to be entrenched as the language of instruction, and at university it seems a foregone conclusion that instruction will occur in English. Bourdieu’s concept of linguistic capital is offered as an explanation for the preponderance of English, but the question is posed: Is the dominance of English as simple as desiring linguistic capital? Do students really regard English as critical to success, and if so, is it to the exclusion of their home languages? The results show that students invest considerable effort in learning English, but not to the exclusion of their home language and with little desire to assimilate with the English culture. The results also provide interesting and sometimes contrasting insights into students’ desired language of instruction.

From ‘English-only’ to translanguaging strategies: Exploring possibilities

One of the enduring problems of South African educational policy changes in the past 20 years is the fact that curricula, legislation and policies have changed radically while the staff complement has remained relatively stable. Despite a progressive national language policy, schools have increasingly introduced English as the sole language of learning and teaching (LoLT), preferably from the earliest grades. In all the debate about the ‘best’ language of learning and teaching, however, there seems to be a missing voice: that of the teacher. Using an analytical framework developed by Richard Baldauf, this study shows how a focus on micro level language planning activities is important for teacher development and language policy implementation. When debating language issues, particularly the language of learning and teaching, teachers do not have a big enough say or may not be fully aware of alternative models for multilingual classes. This study brings the teacher's voice to the language policy debate. The results show that teachers are keenly aware of the multilingual context and their views and decision-making processes reflect this awareness.