Studies in Linguistics and Language Education

Exploring Language Variation As A Suitable Learning Strategy In A Multilingual Learning Context: The Case Of Translanguaging In A French Class As A Foreign Language In Lesotho’s Multiracial Context

Auteurs : Salae Bafokeng .

Résumé

Many scholars claim that the use of many languages in a multilingual context can be one of the major pillars of learning around the globe nowadays. However, in the Lesotho context more priority is still given to English as the only medium of instruction at the secondary level. Therefore, it is believed that language variation can play a key role in bypassing English to enhance the learners understanding if used frequently in a classroom. The study followed a qualitative approach through the use of questionnaires as a form of data collection method in three schools doing the international curriculum with 72 learners participating in this research. Findings reveal that in the international setting where learners come from different races and nationalities English or the colonial language plays an important role in connecting learners and facilitating understanding. As a result, the teacher should try to rely more on the medium of instruction which is known by all which is English in this context but with a little help of learner’s home language here and there.

Mots clés

classroom, international, language variation, medium of instruction, multilingual context, learning strategies,