English is not education and education is not English: An urgent need for multilingual teaching strategies in South Africa

Abstract: This paper reports on one of the findings from a study that was conducted to determine strategies that can be used to promote indigenous African languages as Languages of Learning and Teaching (Lolts) in South African schools. A review of literature indicated that the Language-in-Education Policy (LiEP) which was adopted in 1997 recognises the need for multilingual teaching in South African schooling as a form of redress for the linguistic imbalances that were created by apartheid. It further indicates that there are differences in the way multilingualism is understood as well as differing views on how it should be provided for in teaching and learning. However, though the policy recognises the need to promote multilingualism in the South African education system, promotion requirements that are recommended for the various grades seem to negate this constitutional provision, particularly for black learners who are the main speakers of the South African indigenous languages..