Abstract
M.Ed.
The aim of this research essay is to develop language awareness in the teaching of
Human and Social Sciences subjects in the senior phase. This aim is of necessity
linked to the medium of instruction in schools, which ultimately has an impact on the
performance of learners. I undertook this study for the following two reasons:
The medium of instruction in a number of schools results in a lack of effective
communication amongst teachers and learners, thus hindering effective teaching and
learning.
The multilingual composition of classrooms often cause problems in some schools.
The main purpose of the study was to make teachers aware and take note of the different
languages in their classrooms, and to make it their goal to utilize these languages for
teaching and learning rather than seeing the diverse languages as a problem which
hinders classroom progress. The study tried to suggest the introduction or establishment
of an academic support system, such as a translation centre amongst other things, to
help teachers improve their professional and academic performance and classroom
practice.
In retrospect it appears that teachers have teaching needs which are obviously not being
properly addressed. There is also a missing link between teachers and learners, teachers
and education specialists, and between teachers and parents. If these links are missing
and not found, the level of teaching and learning cannot be improved, and that will
result in the fact that the interaction between teachers and learners bears no fruit. These
missing educational links could be reached through clear communication among
stakeholders.
If teachers are not in a position to interpret clearly what they are teaching and applying
in the classroom, then their knowledge is redundant and useless, as it will not reach the
intended target, which is the learners in this instance. Teachers also need to be
supported throughout their teaching if their teaching is to bear positive fruit for the
learners and the community in general Teachers need to be constantly reminded of their
responsibility towards learners. They need to be competent to ensure that quality
learning takes place in their classrooms.
It is hoped that these findings will highlight sufficiently how MSS subjects' activities
are being managed in the senior phase classrooms, and help to improve the situation to
the benefit of everybody in the education sector.