Use of Whatsapp in Teaching Sepedi Home Language at a South African University

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the experiences of fourth-year students regarding the use of WhatsApp group chat for teaching and learning of Sepedi Home Language drawing from social media theory. Qualitative method approach was adopted in this study and data was collected through semi-structured interviews with six fourth-year pre-service teachers registered for a Bachelor of Education in Senior Phase and FET degree majoring in Sepedi Home Language and Life Orientation. Results indicated that the use of the WhatsApp mediation was more effective than the regular instruction in improving the critique writing and reading proficiency of the participants which helps in increasing their motivation for learning. The implication of this study is that lecturers can draw from the findings of this study that technology can be effective in improving Sepedi Home Language pre-service teachers’ academic literacy and interpersonal skills. Future research that could emerge from the present study could examine the use of other social media platforms in Sepedi Home Language classroom to facilitate the process of students’ acquisition of academic literacy skills.