Challenges faced by intermediate phase English First Additional Language teachers in establishing classroom libraries in Limpopo Province
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17159/ijtl.v18i1.17181Keywords:
classroom libraries, classroom interaction pedagogy, English First Additional Language (EFAL), rural circuit, primary school teachers, reading ability, reading comprehensionAbstract
Classroom libraries have an important function in the development of reading abilities for English First Additional Language (EFAL) learners in the Intermediate Phase (grades 4 to 6). This research aimed at exploring the challenges faced by the Intermediate Phase EFAL teachers in establishing classroom libraries in a rural circuit of the Limpopo Province to promote learners’ reading ability. A qualitative grounded theory approach was employed using observations and an interview schedule with semi structured open-ended questions. Nine participants were purposefully selected. The study found that there was limited relevant reading material, a lack of space for setting up a classroom library in overcrowded classrooms, teachers’ lack of knowledge on organising the classroom library books and a lack of strategies on how to control the checking in and out of books. It is recommended that schools should first allocate funds for buying books and seek donations for reading material from public libraries as well as non-governmental organisations. Inservice training should be conducted to equip teachers with the basic skills of organising and facilitating the checking out and returning of classroom library books.
References
Akinfenwa, K. (2019) Vanguard news. Addressing decline of reading culture in Nigeria. 2 April 2019. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/04/addressing-decline-of-reading-culture-in-nigeria/ (Accessed 7 July 2021).
Allington, R.L. & McGill-Franzen, A. (2013) Eliminating summer reading setback: How we can close the rich/poor reading achievement gap. http://www.joanwink.com/wpcontent/uploads/2016/03/Allingtons-research-1-1.pdf (Accessed 6 January 2020).
Andersen, S. (2012) Creating and managing a classroom library. http://yaloveblog.com/2012/05/29/creating-and-managing-a-classroom-library/ (Accessed 23 September 2021).
Antunez, J. (2021) How does the Dewey system work? https://briefversion.com/how-does-the-dewey-system-work (Accessed 11 July 2021).
Asri, D.N., Cahyono, B.E.H. & Trisnani, R.P. (2021) Early reading learning for special needs students: Challenges on inclusive primary school during COVID-19 pandemic. Linguistics and Culture Review 5(S1) pp.1062-1074. https://doi.org/10.21744/lingcure.v5nS1.1489 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21744/lingcure.v5nS1.1489
Ayub, A., Saud, S. & Akhtar, S. (2018) Overcrowded classrooms and teaching-learning process: Analysis of elementary public sector schools of Quetta City. Pakistan Journal of Educational Research 1(1) pp.49-69. https://doi.org/10.52337/pjer.v1i1.5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.52337/pjer.v1i1.5
Bates, N. & Cook, J.C. (2020) Is it a competition? Classroom and school libraries. Texas Library Journal 96(1) pp.19-21.
Berrill, D.P. (2018) How should I organize my classroom library to make it accessible to all students? https://www.ldatschool.ca/a-t-e-organize-classroom/ (Accessed 19 July 2021).
Boyi, A.A. (2013) Education and sustainable national development in Nigeria: Challenges and way forward. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences 4(8) pp.147-152. https://doi.org/10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n8p147 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n8p147
Catapano, S, Fleming, J. & Elias, M. (2009) Building an effective classroom library. Journal of Language and Literacy Education 5(1) pp.59–73.
Charmaz, K. (2006) Constructing grounded theory: A practical guide through qualitative analysis. London: Sage.
Chou, M., Cheng, J. & Cheng, Y. (2016) Operating classroom aesthetic reading environment to raise children’s reading motivation. Universal Journal of Educational Research 4(1) pp.81-97. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2016.040111 DOI: https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2016.040111
Coppens, K. (2018) Creating a classroom library. Science Scope 42(1) pp.22-25. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2505/4/ss18_042_01_22
Corbin, J. & Strauss, A. (2008) Basics of qualitative research: Techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781452230153
Corbin, J. & Strauss, A. (2015) Basics of Qualitative Research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Creswell, J.W. (2007) Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing Among five approaches (2nded.). London: SAGE Publications, Inc.
Creswell, J.W. & Creswell, JD. (2018) Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods Approaches (5th ed.). Los Angeles: SAGE Publications, Inc.
Department of Basic Education (DBE). (2016) Education Statistics in South Africa 2014. Department of Basic Education: Pretoria.
Du Plessis, E.C. & Letshwene, M.J. (2020) A reflection on identified challenges facing South African teachers. The Independent Journal of Teaching and Learning 15(2) pp.69-91. https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-jitl1-v15-n2-a7
Du Plessis, E.C. & Marais, P. (2017) A grounded theory perspective on leadership in multicultural schools. Journal of Asian and Afican Studies 52(5) pp.722-737. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021909615612 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0021909615612122
Elementary Librarian. (2012) Confession: My students check out their own books. https://elementarylibrarian.com/confession-my-students-check-out-their-own-books/ (Accessed 21 September 2021).
Gao, Q., Wang, H., Mo, D., Shi, Y., Kenny, K. & Rozelle, S. (2018) Can reading programs improve reading skills and academic performance in rural China? China Economic Review 52 pp.111-125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chieco.2018.07.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chieco.2018.07.001
Gao, Q., Wang, H., Chang, F., Yi. H. & Shi, Y. (2021) Reading achievement in China’s rural primary schools: a study of three provinces. Educational Studies 47(3) pp.344-368. https://doi.org/10.1080/03055698.2019.1701994 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03055698.2019.1701994
Glaser, B.G. & Strauss, A. (1967) The discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research. Chicago, IL: Aldine Publishing Co. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/00006199-196807000-00014
Harmon, J., Martinez, M., Juarez, L., Wood, K., Simmerson, L. & Terrazas, C. (2019) An investigation of middle school classroom libraries. Reading Psychology 40(7) pp.583-611. https://doi.org/10.1080/02702711.2019.1635240 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02702711.2019.1635240
Haupt, S. (2020) Creating a reading culture in South African schools. http://www.shineliteracy.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Creating-a-Reading-Culture-in-South African-Schools.docx.pdf (Accessed 16 July 2021).
Howie, S.J., Combrinck, C., Roux, K., Tshele, M., Mokoena, G. & McLeod-Palane, N. (2017) PIRLS literacy 2016: South African highlights report. Pretoria: Centre for Evaluation and Assessment.http://www.shineliteracy.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/pirls-literacy-2016-hl
report.zp136320.pdf (Accessed 11 October 2021).
Hughes-Hassell, S. (2021) Urban teenagers talk about leisure reading. The International Association of School Librarianship: Chapel Hill. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29173/iasl7975
Khan, P. & Iqbal, M. (2012) Overcrowded classroom: A serious problem for teachers. Elixir Education Technology 49 pp.10162–10165.
Knows. R. (2018) Easy classroom library checkout with booksource classroom organizer. http://www.mrsoknows.com/2018/07/easy-classroom-library-checkout-with.html (Accessed 23 December 2021).
Kolb, S.M. (2012). Grounded theory and the constant comparative method: Valid research strategies for educators. Journal of Emerging Trends in Educational Research and Policy Studies 3 pp.83–86. https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC135409
Krashen, S. (2019) NAEP scores and the science of reading. http://skrashen.blogspot.com/2019/11/naep-scores-and-science-of-reading.htm (Accessed 21 January 2022).
Lempinen, S. (2017) Parental and municipal school choice in the case of children receiving support. D.Ed. dissertation, University of Turku. Southwest Finland, Finland.
Makena. B. & Mpiti. T. (2020) Role played by the library to promote a culture of reading among Learners. In M. Motseke, M. Chitiyo, I. Ugorji, U.I. Ogbonnaya, O.C. Dada & G. Charles-Ogan (Eds.) Rethinking Teaching and learning in the 21st Century, South African International Conference on Education (SAICEd), 20-21 October 2020. Pretoria, South Africa pp.251–259.
Malekani, A. & Mubofu, C.M. (2019) Challenges of school libraries and quality education in Tanzania: A Review. Library Philosophy and Practice 2334 pp.1-12.
Mangila, B.B. & Adapon, M.T. (2020) Helping struggling readers to read: The impact of the care for the non-readers (CRN) program on Filipino pupils' reading proficiency. English Teaching Learning and Research Journal 6(2) pp.195-218. https://doi.org/10.24252/Eternal.V62.2020.A2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24252/Eternal.V62.2020.A2
Marais, P. (2016) We can’t believe what we see: Overcrowded classrooms through the eyes of student teachers. South African Journal of Education 36(2) pp.1-10. https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC189909 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15700/saje.v36n2a1201
Matsepe, D., Maluleke, M. & Cross, M. (2019) Re-imagining teachers’ experience with overcrowded classrooms in the public secondary schools in South Africa. Journal of Gender, Information and Development in Africa (September) pp.91-103. https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC-1997f9e889
Mohammed, I. & Amponsah, O. (2018) Predominant factors contributing to low reading abilities of pupils at Elsie Lund Basic School in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. African Educational Research Journal 6(4) pp.273–278. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30918/AERJ.64.18.071
Mojapelo, S.M. (2018) School library development initiatives in a democratic South Africa: Roles of the various stakeholders. Library Philosophy and Practice 1828 pp. 1-21.
Mojapelo, S.M. (2020) Storytelling initiatives and reading in schools in South Africa: A case from Limpopo Province. Mousaion 38(3) pp.1-18. https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-mousaion-v38-n3-a3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-659X/7873
Mupa, P. & Chinooneka, T.I. (2016) Factors contributing to ineffective teaching and learning in primary schools: Why are schools in decadence? Journal of Education and Practice 6(19) pp.125-132.
Nagaraja. S. (2018) Training manual on planning, organisation and effective use of classroom library. Regional Institute of Education NCERT, Manasagangotri Mysuru-570006. http://www.ir.riemysore.ac.in:8080/jspui/bitstream/123456789/1193/1/Training%20manual%20on%0planning%20organisation%20and%20effective%20use%20of%20Classroom%20Library.pdf (Accessed 19 July 2021).
Nakale, A. (New Era, 31 August, 2020) Namibia: Unions wary of reopening schools. https://neweralive.na/posts/unions-wary-of-reopening-schools (Accessed 18 August 2021).
National Council of Teachers of English. (2017) Statement on classroom libraries. https://ncte.org/statement/classroom-libraries/ (Accessed 29 September 2021).
Ntsala, S.A., Ramabenyane, M.J., Koen, M. & Loock, I. (2021) Addressing the challenge of overcrowdedness in English First Additional Language (EFAL) classrooms. Journal for Language Teaching 55(1) pp.151-173. https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-langt_v55_n1_a8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/jlt.v55i1.7
Olaleye, F.O., Ajayi, A., Oyebola, O.B. & Ajayi, O.A. (2017) Impact of overcrowded classroom on academic performance of students in selected public secondary schools in Surelere Local Government of Lagos State, Nigeria. International Journal of Higher Education and Research 7(1) pp.110-132.
Omenyo. R. (2016) The role of the school library in teaching and learning: A case study of a basic public school in Accra, Ghana. M.Ed. Dissertation. University of Cape Town, South Africa.
Omigie, C.A. & Idiedo, O.V. (2019) Developing classroom libraries for promoting primary education in Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice 2818 pp.1-32.
Paton-Ash, M. & Wilmot, D. (2015) Issues and challenges facing school libraries in selected primary schools in Gauteng Province, South Africa. South African Journal of Education 35(1) pp.1-10. https://doi.org/10.15700/201503062342 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15700/201503062342
Reutzel, D.R. Parker, C. & Fawson, P.C. (2002) Your classroom library: New ways to give it more teaching power. New York: Scholastic Professional Books.
Santa, C.M., Williams, C.K., Ogle, D., Farstrup, A.E., Au, K.H., Baker, B.M., Edwards, P.A., Klein, A.F., Kurek, G.M., Larson, D.L., Paratore, J.R., Rog, L.L. & Shanahan, T. (2000) Providing books other print materials for classroom school libraries: A position statement of the international reading association. Newark: International Reading Association. https://www.literacyworldwide.org/docs/defaultsource/where-we-stand/providing-books-position-statement.pdf?sfvrsn=e44ea18e_6 (Accessed 26 June 2019).
.png){kind=spacer}