English as a Language of Learning, Teaching and Inclusivity: Examining South Africa's Higher Education Crisis

Hibbert examines South Africa's higher education crisis, using case studies and first-hand experiences with English as the language of instruction. It provides a historical overview of imported English teaching methodologies and how they have emerged and developed in the local educational system. It also highlights the experiences of non-monolingual English-speaking staff and students, and local English/African language bilinguals, and how they can improve English acquisition curricula.

Format: Hardback
Length: 174 pages
Publication date: 18 August 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Hibbert delves into the depths of South Africa's higher education crisis, employing comprehensive case studies and firsthand experiences with English as the language of instruction. The historical overview serves as a foundational framework for understanding the intricate dynamics of using English as a language of instruction in South Africa, spanning both the past and present.

Student narratives are showcased to illustrate both remarkable breakthroughs and formidable challenges encountered in the educational landscape.

An overview is presented, tracing the emergence and evolution of imported English teaching methodologies within the local educational system over several decades. It is demonstrated how these methodologies align with socio-economic and political events and trends at each juncture. Through the application of defamiliarization as a research methodology, the struggles of students in their translanguaging journey are documented and analyzed, encompassing both pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. The experiences of non-monolingual English-speaking staff and students, as well as local English/African language bilinguals, are brought to the forefront, as they constitute the majority in South African higher education and schools.

The relevance of these experiences and learning paths is further enhanced, emphasizing the importance of understanding and valuing the perspectives of these stakeholders.

This book serves as a valuable resource for lecturers across various disciplines and English language facilitators, providing them with insights and perspectives to enhance English acquisition curricula. It also serves as a catalyst for researchers, encouraging them to develop further theories and experiments tailored to their own contexts. By exploring the complexities of English as a language of instruction in South Africa, this book contributes to a deeper understanding of the educational landscape and offers valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and students alike.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032466330