The Centre for African Languages (CALT) at the University of Johannesburg Soweto Campus hosted a seminar at the Funda Ujabule Lecture Hall on August 22 to highlight the importance of integrating African languages in the schooling system.
CALT was established in 2018 to address literacy challenges in African languages.
The focus is on promoting literacy in IsiZulu and Sesotho while enhancing reading training in primary education.
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Amongst the speakers was Dr Fikile Simelane who is a lecturer at the CALT UJ who mentioned that there is a reading crisis as many children face difficulties with learning.
Dr Simelane said a study they have done revealed that Grade three learners are still reading at a Garde one level which is very alarming.
This is due to the disconnect between their home languages and the medium of instruction which is English as they are not exposed to learning in their home languages.
During her presentation, she also demonstrated how children are not prepared for learning due to language barriers.
“The aim of this whole programme is that in the end, teachers are fluent and competent in teaching reading and writing in African languages,” said Dr Simelane.
Regression in learners who can read was also discussed during the seminar and this was mostly affected by COVID.
It was also mentioned that teachers do not have the necessary resources and training to teach their learners how to read.
Deputy Principal of Sicelo Primary School, Sepati Mabula pleaded that the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) be brought back to assist teachers.
Mabula went on to show the progress her school has made in teaching children to read in African languages with the help of a mobile library.
“The Midvaal Library has been working with our children and helping them with reading and we see a big difference,” said Mabula.
Professor Lionel Posthumus who is the Senior Research Associate at UJ said, “It should be easier to read in our African languages than it is in English,’’
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He further went on to say that English is a hard-to-understand language and not so straight forward as compared to African languages.
Amongst the guests were Nomvuyo Lertao Zamane who is an Education Specialist and also part of Puku Children’s Literature Foundation.
She showcased a book they wrote in African languages and other books they worked on. Students from UJ also attended.
Deputy HOD of Childhood Education at UJ, Dr Dean van De Merwe went on to saying that this month being Woman’s Month and the seminar being led by mostly women was phenomenal. He went to thanked all the speakers and all those that attended.
