Investigation of grade 10 learners' essay writing in English First Additional Language in Eensaam Circuit, Sekhukhune South District , Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

This study reflects on the experiences of Grade 10 learners’ essay writing in English First Additional Language in Eensaam Circuit, Sekhukhune South District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Since the study sought to gain an in-depth understanding of the strategies that teachers use to improve essay writing, a qualitative methodology was used. It is within this methodology that a case study was adopted, whereby two methods of data collection were used, namely: interviews and observation. Two schools were purposively selected as sites for the study. The interviewed participants were the Departmental Head, Senior education specialist, teachers and learners. Learners in grade 10 are not performing exceptionally well in essay writing and this results in high failure rate in English first Additional language. The study discussed the contributory factors to the findings and, therefore, recommends that the Department of Education should provide Grade 10 English FAL teachers with in-service training and support programs. The programmes should aim at equipping teachers with skills to use when teaching essay writing in Grade 10. The Department of Education should also provide materials and strategies that will help all learners develop writing skills.