Literacy learning in Limpopo – a multilingual environment

Abstract

This article is a report on research conducted to support the development of a multilingual literacy learning software programme for adult learners in rural Limpopo Province, South Africa. The topic of inquiry for the research was literacy learning in a multilingual environment, with special attention paid to attitudinal and metacognitive aspects. Preliminary results of the study suggest that the learners, mostly female and Sepedi mother tongue speakers, exhibited a specific and strong desire to become literate through the medium of English for personal advancement and improved interethnic communication. The central concern of this article is to describe the study, briefly discuss preliminary findings, and suggest possible avenues for further research.