Inligtingsbehoeftes van Afrikaans T1-onderwysers

Abstract

This article reports on an investigation into the information needs of Afrikaans L1 language teachers in South Africa. The main data collection methods were focus group discussions, a questionnaire and unstructured interviews. The most important information needs that were identified, were those pertaining to classroom activities, curricula and supportive study material. Interesting differences between the information needs of primary and high school teachers were found. Factors that impact on the information needs of Afrikaans L1 teachers are, among others, the changing curriculum, the nature of languages as a subject, a high workload, extramural activities and pressures with regard to examination results. The research revealed that it is of the utmost importance that those who have to supply language teachers with information are aware of their information needs in order to improve the standard of language teaching in South Africa.