Exploring effects of incorporating English language in secondary school science education : a case of secondary school physical sciences learners in Mpumalanga Province

摘要

This study investigated the effects of incorporating English language teaching inPhysical Sciences education. The sample was selected from Physical Sciences Grade10 learners in a school in Mpumalanga Province and comprised an experimental groupwho were taught through a workbook that incorporated language teaching in sciencelessons and a control group who were taught via the normal textbook prescribed by theDepartment of Basic Education. Pre- and post-tests were administered to both groupsand a sample of learners participated in a focus group interview. Two educators werealso individually interviewed.The results revealed that incorporating language teaching in science lessons not onlyimproves learners’ academic performance but also their comprehension skills, andencouraged the application of learner-centred methods of teaching. The studyrecommends that Physical Sciences textbooks include English language activities withthe view of incorporating language teaching in Physical Sciences content lessons.