The Whuzoo approach
The initial Whuzoo Afrikaans Level 1 and isiZulu Level 1 programmes were developed together with
De La Salle Holy Cross College, Junior School in 2008 and the approach serves as the basis for all the programmes we have developed since then. It illustrates the collaboration needed to make language learning effective.
What we aim to achieve ?
How do the educators participate ?
How does the school management participate ?
De La Salle Holy Cross College, Junior School in 2008 and the approach serves as the basis for all the programmes we have developed since then. It illustrates the collaboration needed to make language learning effective.
What we aim to achieve ?
- A programme that supports the schools language syllabus as best as possible
- Providing learners with a computer program that enables them to work at their own pace and in their own time
- Giving learners access to all the words, phrases and sentences, categorised into Themes, that will enable them to effectively build a vocabulary to become conversant in the new language
- Providing learners with accurate pronunciations for each of the words phrases and sentences that they cover in each of Themes
- Enabling learners to Test themselves independently and to gain confidence in their abilities as they master their tests
- Providing the program as cost effectively as possible
How do the educators participate ?
- Language educators are the "essential ingredient" in language learning
- They principally provide enthusiasm and passion matched with great knowledge of the language and its peoples
- Language educators work with the Whuzoo team and update the wordbase with new ideas and experiences
- Either quarterly, half-yearly or annually, they feedback using the Xcel spreadsheets provided (The same one that are provided in PDF format for each programme)
- Language educators develop lessons plans according to the guidelines of the relevant education authority (i.e. Department of Basic Education & CAPS) and match these to the relevant Whuzoo language programme
- They naturally work with learners through the problems and issues that the learner picks up while working through the Whuzoo language programme
- Language educators also use the Whuzoo programmes, in class, as part of their lessons
- Equally, educators use the Whuzoo programme in the Media Lab to facilitate group work and to provide learners with access to the programme during their gap periods, between extra-murals or in circumstances where the learner does not have access to a computer
How does the school management participate ?
- Academic and School heads provide guidance and leadership particularly in elevating the importance of language learning, particularly within South Africa's multi-cultural society
- These heads are critical to realising the value of technology in supporting language learning and that it is the lingua franca of todays learners
- Specifically, academic and schools heads are catalysts for enabling the participation of parents and learners in the process of language learning
|
|
