Dr. Corrin Varady

Despite South Africa’s constitutional right to education in one’s preferred language, children who do not learn in their mother tongue continue to underperform compared to those who do. With R99 million earmarked to support the expansion of mother tongue instruction into Grade 4 and beyond from 2025, leveraging technology to facilitate this transition should be a key consideration, rather than relying on outdated, one-size-fits-all models of instruction.

Mother tongue instruction

South Africa’s linguistic diversity presents unique challenges. As Dr Tessa Dowling, senior lecturer in the African Languages and Literatures Section at the University of Cape Town, explains: “We first need to establish what variety of the mother-tongue language is going to be used in education. Many children grow up in multilingual homes with Sotho fathers, Xhosa mothers, Zulu uncles, and aunts. So, what is their true mother tongue?”

She says addressing this complexity requires more than a policy shift - it demands a strategy that aligns with both student preferences and research-backed best practices. “Studies confirm that the home language is the most effective medium for teaching reading and writing skills, especially in early education. However, most South African learners prefer English as their language of instruction after their first four years of schooling. One key reason is the widely held belief that fluency in English is essential for economic mobility. Historically, home-language education was used as a tool to suppress the advancement of Black South Africans under apartheid, reinforcing economic inequality. Meanwhile, English and Afrikaans, as the home languages of the White population, maintained dominance in political, economic, and civic spheres both during and after apartheid.”

Parallel instruction in both mother tongue and English is imperative. Research shows transitioning to a second language can be a traumatic experience for many learners and can take up to seven years for full academic proficiency. A parallel and complementary approach, however, can prevent setbacks in academic development by building understanding in the home language while preparing students for higher education and the workforce, where English remains a key tool.

Technology as the language bridge builder

Global success stories, such as Canda’s AI-driven bilingual learning platforms and Sweden’s adaptive digital language programmes, prove that technology can be a game-changer in multilingual education. South Africa must embrace these tools to ensure a seamless transition between languages without compromising comprehension.

Home language technologies should be used to clarify, reinforce, and support student understanding. These tools should help students move between their home language and English, particularly when they struggle with complex concepts. This ensures they grasp subject matter in both languages, rather than being left behind in the transition.

Beyond student learning, technology also plays a crucial role in professional development for teachers by enhancing their pedagogical skills and supporting a bilingual teaching approach. Teachers don’t need to completely overhaul their teaching strategies, instead, technology can support them as they evolve their approach. Personalised digital training, AI-assisted lesson planning, and multilingual instructional tools can equip educators to navigate South Africa’s complex linguistic landscape effectively.

A blended approach

The expansion of mother tongue instruction is a vital step towards educational equity, but a binary approach - either home language or English - will not yield the best results. Dr Dowling emphasises that a blended approach, where students receive explanations in their home language while engaging with subject content in English, is the most effective model. “Rather than viewing languages as separate entities, we should consider them as repertoires that students can expand.”

With the right technological interventions, students can transition seamlessly into a multilingual learning environment without compromising their future academic and professional opportunities. Mother tongue instruction, when implemented thoughtfully, has the potential to transform South Africa’s education landscape. However, success hinges on a blended approach that incorporates technology to support both teachers and students. By leveraging digital tools, educators can create dynamic, multilingual learning environments that foster deeper understanding and academic achievement, without forcing students to choose between their home language and their future prospects.

*Varady is an education analyst and CEO of IDEA an award-winning edtech platform that seeks to democratise education by harnessing the power of technology.

Weekend Argus