Four languages, one classroom: ‘Reasonably practicable'?

Abstract

During the course of 2006 the Department of Linguistics and Literary Theory of the University of Johannesburg embarked on a research project whereby the viability of implementing the use of the four designated languages of the University (English, Afrikaans, isiZulu and Sepedi) in a classroom situation was investigated. After an brief overview of the background which lead to the University of Johannesburg's current language policy and an outline of the research design, this paper reports on one aspect of the research, namely students' views on the practical use of language facilitation. Following the interpretation of the results and the recommendations, it is concluded that it is ‘reasonably practicable' to give effect to the University's language policy.

Southern African Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 2007, 25(3): 401–418