University language policy management: the case of a university of technology in South Africa
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Date
2022-09-02
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University of Zululand
Abstract
The present study examined language policy management in higher education institutions in South Africa using a University of Technology as a case study. The first objective of the study was to ascertain the extent of students’ language learning problems that manifest at the University of Technology after the adoption of the English-only language policy. The second objective was to determine whether students’ biographical factors (gender, age, year of study, home language, and faculty) have any influence on their language learning problems. The third objective was to ascertain the nature of lecturers’ opinions regarding English as a medium of instruction at the University of Technology. The fourth objective was to determine whether the faculty variable has any influence on lecturers’ opinions regarding English as a medium of instruction at the University of Technology. To this end, a questionnaire was administered to a randomly selected sample of 110 students and 84 lecturers who completed and returned the questionnaires. The last objective was to establish the reasons why the University of Technology changed its language policy from a dual-medium to a monolingual language policy. To this end, purposive sampling, namely a single-case study, was used to select the Registrar as the participant in this study.
The findings revealed that the students differed in the extent of their language learning problems that manifest at the institution after the adoption of an English-only language policy. A very high percentage (78.18%) of students reported a moderate language listening problem. The findings also revealed that the year of study influenced students’ experiences of listening problems. Fourth-year students experienced more challenges from learning problems than first-, second- and third-year students. The findings showed that lecturers differed significantly in the nature of their opinions regarding English as a medium of instruction at the institution. A very high percentage (83.33%) of lecturers reported an uncertain opinion level. The findings on the analysis of each item indicated that the faculty variable had a significant influence on lecturers’ opinions regarding some of the single items. The findings from the interviews regarding reasons as to why the University of Technology changed its language policy from a dual-medium to a monolingual language policy, point to inclusivity to accommodate black students who are in the majority but also driven by sociolinguistic, bureaucratic, and economic factors which lead to ineffective language management in South Africa and at South African universities.
On the basis of the findings of this study, a model for the process of implementing the university language policy management was proposed and recommended.
Description
A dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Department of General Lingustics in the Faculty of Arts, University of Zululand, 2022.