Innovative teaching strategies in South African classrooms enhance mathematics comprehension through multilingual education.
As South Africa grapples with low literacy and numeracy outcomes, a groundbreaking collaboration between Funda Wande and Wits University is redefining how teachers navigate multilingualism.
At a national dissemination event in Johannesburg on Friday, researchers shared insights on Mother Tongue-Based Bilingual Education (MTBBE), moving beyond mere translation toward “meaning-making” in the classroom.
Professor Anthony Essien emphasised that the traditional “transition model”, where pupils abruptly switch from their home language to English in Grade 4, is a reality that often hinders deep understanding.
He argues for a shift toward harnessing the multiple languages already present in the classroom.
