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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

Great is what the UFS is and should be
2013-02-15

Photo: Johan Roux
09 February 2013

 

   YouTube Video - UFS Official Opening
   YouTube Video - Staff share their hopes and expectations for 2013

This passage from the book Good to Great by Jim Collis was the core message of Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Free State (UFS) at the official opening on Friday 8 February 2013.

Prof. Jansen warned the audience in a packed hall of the reasons why the UFS should not be good, but great.

“Good makes one become complacent. Good means you show up for class, but great means you are at the top of you class. Good means you simply do your work, but great means you’re the best amongst your peers. Good is ok, but great is what the UFS is and should be about,” Prof. Jansen said.

At the opening Prof. Jansen also highlighted a seven-point priority plan for the university in 2013.

These points are:

  • The growth in numbers and quality of postgraduate students
  • The planned westward expansion of the main campus (New Master Plan)
  • The drive for quality and productivity in research
  • The development of an advancement culture throughout the university
  • The acceleration of diversity and equity in all aspects of campus life, but especially in academic appointments
  • The building of a positive and supporting staff culture at the university
  • The continued investment in undergraduate student leadership

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