Senior phase teachers’ experiences of teaching English in a rural context: a case study of Msinga Circuit Management
type: CreativeWork
description: The teaching of English as a second language in bilingual or multilingual classes presents many challenges to both teachers and students. Bilingual classes are not easy to handle and sometimes it becomes very difficult for the teachers to cope with the challenges. The purpose of this study was to investigate the actual experiences and challenges encountered by the teachers of English in the rural context of the Msinga Circuit Management. Interpretivism paradigm was employed for this study. Data were collected using qualitative research methods. Three secondary schools were randomly selected from Msinga Circuit, namely Mabaso Secondary (Tugela Ferry ward), Msimbithi Secondary (Pomeroy ward) and Sakhiseni Secondary (Msinga Top ward). Data were collected through two (2) focus group discussions with teachers, in-depth interviews with 11 randomly selected teachers of English and five (5) Departmental Heads. The research findings indicated that the teachers of English experienced many challenges during the teaching of English in bilingual/multilingual classes. Learner-oriented problems observed by teachers in class were poor reading skills, speaking skills, pronunciation, not comfortable speaking in front of peers, poor foundation demonstrated through failure to grasp the basic concepts when in senior level and the lack of motivation to use English, negative attitude towards English, lack of discipline, absenteeism and late coming to school. Some learners could not read or write simple words, which made them want to use their mother tongue all the time. Teachers had to code- switch and allow the learners to use vernacular language in class for them to comprehend what was being taught. The study participants identified age as an important factor in the learning of English. Learners who were not exposed to English early in life, as they grew up, were not able to use it fluently in classes and other subjects. The home and school environments were reported to be negatively co…
abstract: The teaching of English as a second language in bilingual or multilingual classes presents many challenges to both teachers and students. Bilingual classes are not easy to handle and sometimes it becomes very difficult for the teachers to cope with the challenges. The purpose of this study was to investigate the actual experiences and challenges encountered by the teachers of English in the rural context of the Msinga Circuit Management. Interpretivism paradigm was employed for this study. Data were collected using qualitative research methods. Three secondary schools were randomly selected from Msinga Circuit, namely Mabaso Secondary (Tugela Ferry ward), Msimbithi Secondary (Pomeroy ward) and Sakhiseni Secondary (Msinga Top ward). Data were collected through two (2) focus group discussions with teachers, in-depth interviews with 11 randomly selected teachers of English and five (5) Departmental Heads. The research findings indicated that the teachers of English experienced many challenges during the teaching of English in bilingual/multilingual classes. Learner-oriented problems observed by teachers in class were poor reading skills, speaking skills, pronunciation, not comfortable speaking in front of peers, poor foundation demonstrated through failure to grasp the basic concepts when in senior level and the lack of motivation to use English, negative attitude towards English, lack of discipline, absenteeism and late coming to school. Some learners could not read or write simple words, which made them want to use their mother tongue all the time. Teachers had to code- switch and allow the learners to use vernacular language in class for them to comprehend what was being taught. The study participants identified age as an important factor in the learning of English. Learners who were not exposed to English early in life, as they grew up, were not able to use it fluently in classes and other subjects. The home and school environments were reported to be negatively co…
author: Sijiye, Knowledge
license: https://uzspace.unizulu.ac.za/bitstreams/75e140f8-debf-483a-b1c6-f6a488bc6b4d/download
date published: 2023
date modified: 2026-07-24T06:17:15Z
provider: University of Zululand
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Zululand