Language and science in Africa: English as medium of instruction

  • DATE

    02 September 2015

  • TIME

    18:00 - 19:00

  • VENUE

    Sci-Enza Auditorium, Hatfield Campus, University of Pretoria

The Southern Africa Association for the Advancement of Science (S2A3) invites you to a public talk by Dr Ian Raper: ‘Language and science in Africa: English as medium of instruction’.

The use of English as a medium of instruction poses particular challenges for speakers of the major African family of languages, the largest family of languages in terms of geographical area, number of speakers, and number of distinct languages. Included in this Niger-Congo family are the languages of South Africa, which are characterised by many shared features, notably the concord sentence construction. The talk covers the specific structural aspects of language confronting users of English as the language of tuition and as an ‘additional’ language within the education system. The talk also looks at the use of English in scientific, public and commercial spheres. The MEC for Education in Gauteng and the Minister of Higher Education have recently expressed their concern over the obstacles learners and students are facing. Dr Raper will introduce Sound English as a radical, linguistics-based approach to overcoming the obstacles.

Dr Raper is the former Dean of Education, Arts and Science at the University of Venda and founder of  Liivha Combined School, Thohoyandou. He currently serves as President of the S2A3.

This talk is open to the public; there is no entry fee. Refreshments will be served at 19:00.

Anyone with an interest in science is welcome to join the S2A3. The current membership fee is R150. Forms will be available at the podium front desk after the talk.

 

  • Contact: Walter Meyer 012-420-2637
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