English Second Language in Junior schools: Policy and Research. Use of English by Second Language Learners in Junior Schools: Renegotiation of Methodology

      Аннотация: The teachers interviewed during this study were convinced that the learning of English as both Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT) and as a subject right from the Foundation Phase to higher learning is ideal. This would alleviate the language and learning challenges that English Second Language(ESL)learners could otherwise encounter in their lives. Hence all the languages a learner must learn should be introduced from kindergarten and equally promoted through high school. Mother tongue can be adequately promoted and efficiently studied as a compulsory subject from kindergarten to higher learning. This study recommends a review of language policy that first teach the children mother tongue as LOLT in the Foundation Phase and thereafter introduce a second language as LOLT at a later learning stage. It also recommends an increase participation of teachers in education policymaking processes and the intensification of teacher professional development in language teaching. Knowledge is power but language is the way. Language messed is knowledge doomed. Language and education policies must prioritise knowledge acquisition otherwise doomed to compromise the future of our children.

Ключевые слова: Bilingualism, code-mixing, Code-switching, curriculum development, Education policy, English Teaching, Language acquisition, Language Curriculum, Language education, language policies, mother tongue, Multilingualism, vocabulary development, communication and methodology, Learning of English, English second language learning, Foundation phase English, classroom English communication, language difficulties, English language development, English as medium of instruction, Junior school English language challenges, Education and language development, Language of learning & teaching (LOLT), English Second Language (ESL), English First Additional Language (EFAL), studying of English, Junior school English, language challenges, English Language policy in KwaZulu-Natal, Foundation Phase English, english grammar, Language in Education Policy (LiEP), South Africa language policy, Transition to mother tongue, Grade 4 use of English Second Language.