In October 2021, the Zenex Foundation awarded MIET AFRICA a two-year (2022-2023) contract to pilot a learner-based intervention at 10 Umlazi secondary schools to test innovative strategies to improve English First Additional Language (EFAL) reading for understanding at Grade 8 and 9 levels.
The key focus of this pilot fell on learner improvement in reading for understanding through the educational support of trained learner support agents (LSAs). The use of innovative strategies to address poor reading habits and negative attitudes to reading, drawing on the teachers’ knowledge of their learners and the baseline reading assessments, were at the heart of the project goal. A critical success factor in the project was the establishment and strengthening of teacher-LSA collaboration to identify learners’ errors and develop individual support plans for learners needing additional support to address the learning gaps. A key activity in the project was therefore the capacity-building of teachers and LSAs to conduct diagnostic assessment, analyse learners’ errors, and develop strategies to address the learning gaps.
The project reached 280 learners exceeding the targeted number of learners (250). Each school was provided with a lockable mobile library stocked with over 100 new age-appropriate readers that learners borrow and read at home. To promote reading for enjoyment, the project allowed for learner-participation in a range of events at school and out of school. These included the Reading Tree event held at the Bluff by Dr Gcina Mhlophe in Durban, Living Book Fair held in Durban, learner group-visits to the new library in Umnini, Umlazi, learner participation in the UNITAR 60th anniversary youth dialogues on climate change, and the interschool reading competition in Umlazi. A group of 25 learners from one of the project schools (Igagasi) took part in a six-month technology pilot project focusing on the identification and addressing of learning gaps using analysis of data collected from learner tasks completed online. The results of the pilot were quite positive: 11 of the learners had shown improvement in covering learning gaps.
For more information contact Chris Ramdas chris@miet.coza