Exploring visual literacy development through films in senior phase English first additional language

Despite learners’ general poor performance in English First Additional Language (EFAL), research indicates their wide exposure to film viewing which is untapped when teaching visual literacy in EFAL classes (Mnyanda, 2017). This study identified a golden opportunity of introducing film teaching in the senior phase in order to equip learners with the knowledge, skills and values for self-fulfilment, and meaningful participation in society as citizens of a free country. Two teachers’ meaning-making and pedagogical practices of teaching film were explored in a rural Eastern Cape District, South Africa. Qualitative research methodology was used to collect data from lesson observations using a video camera and post-lesson interviews with each teacher. I drew on Vygotsky’s (1978) socio-cultural theory of learning which privileges learners’ social interaction, More Knowledgeable Other and scaffolding in the learning process. Critical Discourse Analysis offered insights on challenging stereotypes available in designing and redesigning texts. It emerged that lack of resources in previously disadvantaged schools and teachers’ missed opportunities to teach film in context were major causes of underperformance. Findings also interestingly revealed that learners could perform better when taught through the film. This study recommends that schools should teach film since it is can improve learners’ results