Language Development

The Schools Act considers South African sign language as an official language for the purposes of learning in a public school

What seems to be most important for child language development is the extent to which parents and children take turns when speaking to each other

Although English may not be the de facto talk of the town in South Africa, in written form it continues to dwarf others

It does not make linguistic or financial sense to offer a subject so lacking in depth or substance.

Universities that have actively pursued multilingualism have been vindicated.

Universities, industry and the state need research that includes input from civil society.

Learning in one’s mother tongue promotes a deep conceptual understanding of a subject.

For centuries the language has defined what knowledge and truth are and by embracing it Africa will always be in a unequal position.

More than 60% of South African pupils choose English for learning and teaching, the South African Institute of Race Relations has revealed.

Without an adequate academic vocabulary, students cannot prosper.

Trying to find ways of teaching English better won’t solve anything for most in South Africa.

English is much more fun when rapping and hip-hopping is involved

Research has shown that speaking two languages improves brain performance.

Attorney wins the first round of his battle to force the government to honour its constitutional duty towards South Africa’s official languages.

Certain languages are considered to be prestigious but community languages are often dismissed as irrelevant or second rate. Rowenna Davis reports.