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04 January 2021 | Story Nonsindiso Qwabe | Photo Anja Aucamp
Dr Sekanse Ntsala

Lecturer in the School of Social Sciences and Language Education at the University of Free State, Dr Sekanse Ntsala, collaborated with colleagues from eight universities across South Africa to produce instructional reading strategies for Sesotho and isiZulu students in the Faculty of Education.

The project will see Dr Ntsala partner in the production of learning material in Sesotho and IsiZulu for Foundation and Intermediate phase lecturers, academics, and students. The project is centred in the Centre for African Language Teaching at the University of Johannesburg. 

Designing African language material is a progressive move 

He said there was a gap in the learning material currently being produced, as it was all produced in English, even for African languages. 

"The dilemma is that thus far, all the material that we use for teaching has been written in English. This means that lecturers have to rely on material written in English, and in some instances, they have to translate into the relevant African language. The challenge with translation is that the final product does not always come out the same. You find that even when lecturers have to compile study guides, they still have to rely on the same material. It's a challenge that affects even students themselves, as discussions and assessments have to be done in the African language in question."

He said rather than to translate the content that has been written in English, the collaboration will result in newly created material for Sesotho and IsiZulu.

The two languages were selected as pilot languages; Dr Ntsala said the aim of the project is to expand the creation of material to other languages in order to eliminate English as the main focus in teaching.

"The main rationale is that it's only fair that we have material that will be relevant to a particular language. The manner in which it is happening now is sort of degrading to other languages," he said.

Dr Ntsala said the material would be completed by the end of 2020 and would then go through the process of getting approval from the deaneries of the approved universities, as well as from the Department of Education.

"We are trying to ensure that every language gets recognition in classrooms. Having material that is language-specific is a step in the right direction to ensure that each language is given the respect it deserves."

News Archive

UFS Centenary 2004/05: Sports Festival
2004-05-07

Win or lose! It is part of sportsmanship. The Kovsie Sports Festival will take place on Thursday, 13 May to Saturday, 15 May 2004, as part of the UFS’s centenary celebrations. Through this event, Kovsiesport will focus on the many sports opportunities offered on campus. Fit or unfit, first team or no team, there is an opportunity for every staff member and student to participate.

This exceptional sporting weekend will start on Thursday, 13 May 2004 at 17:15, with a 2,5km fun run (or walk) on the campus. It will start at Pellies Park (the first official rugby field on campus). Men and women will take part separately in five different categories. They are:

 

  • Lecturing staff members
     
  • Administrative staff members
     
  • Support service staff members
     
  • Hostel residents
     
  • Alumni

    After the fun day on Thursday, the serious sports activities will commence. Different league matches are scheduled to take place from Friday, 14 May to Saturday afternoon, 15 May 2004. The Northern Tertiary Tennis League, as well as the Cross Country City League will take place. Hockey, netball, cricket, squash, basket ball, rugby and soccer matches have also been scheduled. The Shimla’s City Cup match will take place on Saturday afternoon on Shimla Park.

    After the sports activities on Saturday evening, we will have another chance to socialize. Medix Residence is organising a special Idols concert at 19:00 in the Callie Human Centre as part of this fun weekend. Idols from 2002 and 2003 will perform. They are Brandon October, Anke Pietrangelli, Poseletso Sejosingoe and Bianca le Grange. Tickets are available at Computicket (Greyhound stall, Tourist Centre in Park Way).

    The festival will be a weekend to relax and enjoy. Please participate in the fun walk, support Kovsiesport and join the Idols in an evening of song.

     

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