Anna Nkomo
About
Dr Sibhekinkosi Anna Nkomo is a lecturer in the Foundation Phase Division in the School of Education, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. Her research interests are in Foundation Phase literacy development in disadvantaged communities as a way of addressing the existing educational inequalities through implementing reading interventions. Her interests are also on issues of language education in the early years and in higher education, multilingualism and multiculturalism. She has published a number of research articles, book chapters and research reports in the field of Primary and Higher Education. In 2018, she was awarded best publication in the Reading and Writing journal for her research article titled 'Grade 3 learners' imagine identities as readers revealed through their drawings'.Sessions
Young Learners Promoting Multilingual Literacies in a Buddy Reading Program in South Africa more
This presentation explores multilingual practices implemented in an after-school buddy reading program with Grades 3 and 7 learners from a township school in South Africa. In this qualitative study, learners were provided with a selection of linguistically and culturally relevant books in both isiXhosa and English, enabling them to maintain their home language while simultaneously learning their first additional language. Given that the participants were emerging bilinguals, the study explored educational activities that valorise multilingualism, in a complementary manner to support multilingual development. Activities such as interactive reading with translanguaging, storytelling and retelling in both languages, and the use of bilingual storybooks were designed. The multilingual strategies implemented in the program supported linguistic development and enhanced learners’ confidence in their ability to use both languages in social and academic contexts. The study recommends promoting multilingualism to policymakers and educators, highlighting its importance in nurturing literacy, linguistic diversity, and cultural identity.