Implementing a problem-solving approach (in Afrikaans) to strengthen comprehension skills
Written by: Esmalet van Zyl
12 min read
ESMALET VAN ZYL, ST MARY’S SCHOOL WAVERLEY, SOUTH AFRICA
Abstract
This action research project examined the possibility of strengthening comprehension skills in Grade 9 girls learning Afrikaans first additional language (FAL). In the language classroom, students often feel anxious about comprehension exercises and tests, perhaps because comprehension is not a language aspect that is explicitly taught in the additional language classroom. The setting for the research was an English-medium girls’ school in Johannesburg, South Africa. Students were equipped with two problem-solving strategies that were chosen through extensive research of literature on comprehension in additional language studies. Data was collected through surveys, questionnaires, classroom observations and group discussions. This data indicated that teaching students a problem-solving approach to answer comprehension questions in an additional language could be beneficial. The research findings might be of signifi
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