Abstract
D.Litt. et Phil
The primary aim of this study is to:
assess the relevance of the Zulu first language syllabus in respect of its meeting the needs of pupils;
investigate and discuss language teaching approaches that may be appropriate to Zulu first language teaching;
establish if various types of language syllabuses can be integrated for the enhancement of effective language teaching; integrate teaching approaches.
Method of investigation
The main method of investigation used was the literature review. In this research the focus is on the theoretical treatises, the present syllabus as well as Zulu textbooks and methodology books used for language teaching. Only materials relevant to the study were
selected, categorised and discussed systematically in detail under the topics such as:
the role of linguistics in language teaching; language teaching syllabuses;
learning styles and theories on language learning and teaching; methods of language teaching in the classroom.
The findings were compared with other investigations in the same field of study and were applied to Zulu first language teaching.
Findings
In this thesis it is recognised that the methodology and approaches in the teaching of Zulu first language is inadequate, since it focuses primarily on theoretical intricacies of the subject. Grammar teaching is not utilised maximally because teachers are to adhere to the
theoretical aspects of the subject at the cost of the development of communicative competence. In the teaching of languages such as English, the value of the teaching of grammar has been questioned in the course of time, but not so with Zulu first language. The focus in the traditional Zulu first language syllabus is on grammar teaching, it
however, lacks proper application. In the light of the above it is clear that the traditional way of teaching Zulu first language is inadequate.
The thesis will hopefully guide Zulu mother tongue teachers into acquiring adequate language teaching skills and techniques.
Recommendations
It is recommended that language teaching should break away from the methodology that does not apply to real-life situations and that language learning should be made useful to learners by applying it to develop their life-skills. Teachers should explain theoretical
principles by using authentic or quasi-authentic texts or speech as the point of departure. In other words the theoretical principles should not be merely illustrated by isolated decontextualised examples.
Language teaching should reflect on all four language skills, namely, listening, speaking, reading and writing. An integrated approach to language teaching will enhance the standard of Zulu first language teaching. Therefore, language teaching should not be confined to only one syllabus type, but various syllabus types should be integrated depending on the language need to be addressed