The non-effectiveness of the communicative language teaching approach (CLT) in the teaching and learning of English as a second language (ESL) in selected black high schools in Lower Umfolozi District in KwaZulu-Natal
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Date
2003
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Abstract
The new political dispensation in South Africa has given "equal" status to eleven languages, practically English still enjoys special rights it used to enjoy in the old order, prior to 1994.
To cite but a few examples, English is still the official medium of instruction in many South African schools, private or public. Huge knowledge of information is inaccessible to many South Africans unless they are competent in English. Job applications and interviews are carried out in this language. When dealing with issues of national interest, government officials use this language. They will argue that many South Africans and ethnic groups can comprehend English. Thus, it is an "unbiased", "neutral", "standard" and a unifying", etc. language. It is, therefore, very much unlikely that the South African president could one day deliver the State of the nation Address in isiXhosa, seSotho or isiZulu.
Media institutions would rarely employ a person who cannot comprehend English. Many of them - printing, radio stations and television channels -have English as their main language.
One may cite commercials and interviews with the president on a national TV as examples. Even those media institutions that use other languages (not English), very often find themselves compromising their standards because of the influence of English.
What is discussed above is the undeniable situation of the country. Whether one views it as good or otherwise, the truth is, this is the status quo at the present moment. English has not only established itself as a national lingua franca, but it is also taking control globally, both in politics, economy and other social affairs.
The whole research in this study was based on the premise that, "with English you stand, and without English you fail", particularly in South Africa. Hence the utmost aim of this research work has been to come up with a teaching technique that would avert any "fall" of any South African.
The researcher was convinced that there was something wrong with the main existing teaching technique, the Communicative Language Teaching approach (CLT) for failing to yield desired results after so many years it has been in place. Moreover, the time that the learners expend in learning the language (from grade one to grade twelve) is sufficient for them to have grasped and internalised a considerable knowledge and command of English, particularly at matric level. Consequently, the study had to examine the CLT approach thoroughly, before anything could be recommenced.
The researcher is of the conviction that, although English was sometimes referred to as a "neutral"' language, it is not always so with Black South African learners, especially in Black rural schools. In some instances English has been seen as a barrier to some learners' possible success. The Black High schools where this research was conducted have attested to this statement.
Considering the magnitudirial role of English already discussed, one could not dispute the fact that learners to whom English is a second language (ESL) are not competing from an equal footing with their English native speaking counterparts. The former are usually held back whilst the latter are put a step ahead by the status of the language.
All the above mentioned facts should lay a profound reason for the introduction of the best possible ever teaching technique. One could only hope that this piece of work will make a positive difference for the disadvantaged learners to be assisted.
Description
A mini-thesis submitted in fulfillrnent ofthereqnirements for the degree
of Master of Arts in the Department of Linguistics, University of
Zululand, 2003.
Keywords
Communicative competence--South Africa--Lower Umfolozi, English language--Study and teaching (Secondary)--South Africa--Lower Umfolozi--Foreign speakers, English teaching