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Influence of indigenous language on the mastery of scientific concepts and vocabulary: a review and analysis of the literature

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posted on 2024-09-06, 05:59 authored by Stuart Greenhalgh, Overson Shumba
In different cultural contexts, it has been demonstrated that student proficiency in language may he related to academic achievement and to mastery of concepts and technical vocabulary in school subjects such as science. Where a second language (1.2) is the official medium of instruction, the achievement and mastery may be affected by linguistic difficulties arising in the medium of instruction by conceptual difficulty of the subject taught, and additionally, by the interference of the meanings and experiences derived from the mother language (LI). Further, misconceptions can arise where the learner is striving to master simultaneously the medium of instruction and the scientific concepts and vocabulary presented. For example, science content in textbooks and in classrooms in Zimbabwe is usually presented in English, vet the majority of pupils arc non-native speakers of English, and thus interference of the mother tongue is predicted, especially for younger students. This article is a review and analysis of the research and theoretical literature on the relationship between language, bilingual communication and education, conceptual understanding and misconceptions in science. Hypotheses are suggested for field testing with Shona, Ndchele and English (LI) students in Zimbabwe.

A research paper on the importance of one's first language (mother tongue) in appreciating and understanding educational concepts.

History

Publisher

Human Resource Research Centre (HRRC), University of Zimbabwe (UZ.)

Citation

Greenhalgh, S. and Shumba, O. (2014) Influence of indigenous language on the mastery of scientific concepts and vocabulary: a review and analysis of the literature, Zimbabwe Journal of Educational Research, vol. 26, no.2, pp. 185-207. Harare: HRRC.

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Article

Copyright holder

University of Zimbabwe (UZ), Human Resources Research Centre (HRRC)

Country

Zimbabwe.

Language

en

Identifier ISSN

1013-3445

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    University of Zimbabwe Social Sciences Research

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