- Call for Multilingual Teaching Methods: Dr. Tarisai Mpofu advocates for incorporating multiple languages in university classrooms to enhance student understanding and success, particularly in South Africa.
- Translanguaging as a Pedagogical Approach: Her research emphasizes the use of translanguaging, where students interact with academic content in both English and their home languages like isiXhosa, to improve comprehension.
- Addressing Language Barriers in Higher Education: Dr. Mpofu highlights that exclusive English instruction poses challenges for students whose first language is not English, especially those from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Promoting Inclusive Learning Environments: By integrating indigenous languages into teaching, universities can create more inclusive spaces that support the success of diverse student populations.
Dr Tarisai Mpofu, a lecturer and researcher at Walter Sisulu University (WSU), is leading a call for multilingual teaching methods in higher education to help students succeed.
Her study, titled “Towards a framework for translanguaging pedagogies in an institution of higher education in South Africa”, states how incorporating more than one language in university classrooms can help students grasp complex academic material more effectively.
Dr Mpofu’s research is centred around the use of translanguaging, a teaching approach where students are encouraged to engage with academic content in both English and their home languages, including isiXhosa. According to her findings, many students struggle because they are taught exclusively in English, which is often not their first language.
“We must allow students to use the language they understand best to unlock learning,” said Dr Mpofu. “By acknowledging and incorporating indigenous languages, we create inclusive spaces that promote success.”
She argues that South African universities can no longer afford to ignore the language barriers that hinder performance, particularly for first-generation students and those from rural backgrounds.
The findings form part of a growing body of research calling for a shift from monolingual teaching. Dr Mpofu believes adopting this framework could help improve pass rates, especially in historically disadvantaged institutions.
