Exploring the attitudes of isiZulu first language students towards learning Sepedi as an additional language at university level

Abstract

A significant number of isiZulu first language students enrolled for the Language Practice course at Tshwane University of Technology in  Soshanguve. Considering the linguistic diversity of South Africa, plurality of cultures and the different roles played by languages, this university has developed a programme that seeks to provide access to learning additional languages for first language students. This study sought to understand the attitudes of isiZulu students towards learning Sepedi as an additional language for communicative  purposes. The study adopted a mixed methods approach which used questionnaires and interviews for data collection. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Findings from the study indicate that  isiZulu first language students have mixed feelings regarding the learning of Sepedi as an additional language at university level.   Respondents and participants from the selected samples confirmed that they acknowledge the importance of learning Sepedi as an additional  language because it might open career opportunities in business for graduates. Furthermore, the respondents and participants have a positive attitude and understanding that learning Sepedi as an additional language might also assist them in becoming multilingual.