High school learners' attitudes towards isiZulu in the Greater Durban Area

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine learners’ attitudes towards isiZulu at the former House of Delegates high schools, in view of them having the option of choosing between Afrikaans as a first additional language and isiZulu as a second additional language. A questionnaire comprising of closed and open-ended questions was completed by Zulu mother-tongue learners and by non-Zulu-speaking learners. Survey results indicate that the majority of Zulu mother-tongue learners and non-Zulu learners have positive attitudes towards isiZulu. Many schools have developed their language policies in accordance with the stipulations of the Schools Act of 1996. In some schools, isiZulu is offered exclusively to Zulu mother-tongue learners; non-Zulu learners are not given a chance to learn the language – even if they show a desire to do so. Some Zulu mother-tongue learners stated that they were forced to study their mother tongue as a second additional language – a linguistic scenario they do not find challenging at all.

Keywords:

• Attitude
• first additional language
• language policy
• second additional language
• Schools Act