Learning to read in another language is tough: how Namibian teachers can help kids
IN a classroom in Namibia’s northern Oshikoto region, a teacher has written English vocabulary words on the chalkboard. She asks her learners to read them aloud. When they stumble with pronunciation, she corrects them. She also helps the youngsters to sound out words. At another school nearby, an English teacher is showing her class cartoon strips on her cell phone to help them create mental images while reading – an approach that’s proven to enhance comprehension. MARTA NDAKALAKO ALUMBUNGU, PhD student, Stellenbosch University NHLANHLA MPOFU , Chair- Curriculum Studies, Stellenbosch University These teachers were part of a study we conducted…