Postgraduate students' experiences and attitudes towards isiZulu as a medium of instruction at the University of KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

IsiZulu is one of the 11 official languages of South Africa and has the highest number of speakers in the country. While the South African Language Policy for Higher Education (2002) emphasizes the need to use African languages at universities, not many universities’ isiZulu-speaking students prefer to be taught in isiZulu. Research has revealed that mother tongue instruction has a great impact on student academic achievement, and that students learn better in their mother tongue than when they are taught in the second language. This study reports on the students' experiences and attitudes towards isiZulu as the medium of instruction at the University of KwaZulu Natal, in the School of Education. The study uses case study methods. Interviews are used as data collection strategies. The sample consists of six Honours students enrolled in the modules offered in the medium of isiZulu. Among findings, it is found that students have positive experiences of being taught in isiZulu. Their attitudes are also positive for various reasons. The study concludes by suggesting ways in which isiZulu can be made useful and attractive to university students.

Keywords:

• mother tongue education
• students' experiences
• students' attitudes
• isiZulu
• medium of instruction

Notes on contributor

Zinhle Primrose Nkosi worked as a school teacher for 17 years in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, in South Africa. She joined the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in 2007 first as a tutor and later on as a permanent lecturer. She now lives in the city of Durban in South Africa. She studied part-time at the University of South Africa (UNISA) up to BA Honours level. She did her Masters and Ph.D. degrees at UKZN. She is a National Research Foundation (NRF) Scholar.