Sekoai Elliot Nkhi | Limkokwing University Of Creative Technology (original) (raw)

Papers by Sekoai Elliot Nkhi

Research paper thumbnail of Is pedagogical translanguaging a panacea to the colonial monoglossic language ideology in the classroom? Focus on higher education in Lesotho

Journal of Education, 2024

Translanguaging is an approach to language aimed at promoting diversity and plurality of language... more Translanguaging is an approach to language aimed at promoting diversity and plurality of languages in the classroom. In this approach, students are taught in two or more languages, and literature suggests that they tend to participate more in the classroom when concepts are explained in their mother tongue. However, higher learning institutions in most countries, including Lesotho, still practise a colonial monoglossic language approach in the classroom wherein native languages are not included as languages of instruction alongside colonial languages. Therefore, I believe that pedagogical translanguaging can serve as a useful strategy to curb the hegemony of colonial monoglossic ideologies that prohibit the use of African languages in the classroom. This study adopted a qualitative approach confined within a case study design. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with three lecturers and focus group discussions with 60 students. Findings reveal that pedagogical translanguaging is an effective approach because it can promote social justice and plurality of languages in the classroom. The study thus recommends that minority African languages be included as languages of instruction as well, alongside the English language.

Research paper thumbnail of Is pedagogical translanguaging a panacea to the colonial monoglossic language ideology in the classroom? Focus on higher education in Lesotho

Translanguaging is an approach to language aimed at promoting diversity and plurality of language... more Translanguaging is an approach to language aimed at promoting diversity and plurality of languages in the classroom. In this approach, students are taught in two or more languages, and literature suggests that they tend to participate more in the classroom when concepts are explained in their mother tongue. However, higher learning institutions in most countries, including Lesotho, still practise a colonial monoglossic language approach in the classroom wherein native languages are not included as languages of instruction alongside colonial languages. Therefore, I believe that pedagogical translanguaging can serve as a useful strategy to curb the hegemony of colonial monoglossic ideologies that prohibit the use of African languages in the classroom. This study adopted a qualitative approach confined within a case study design. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with three lecturers and focus group discussions with 60 students. Findings reveal that pedagogical translanguaging is an effective approach because it can promote social justice and plurality of languages in the classroom. The study thus recommends that minority African languages be included as languages of instruction as well, alongside the English language.

Research paper thumbnail of Exploring first-year Communication students’ perception of plagiarism in one University in Lesotho

Journal of African education, Jan 31, 2024

Research paper thumbnail of An investigation of the impact of non-formal education on sustainable development in Mafeteng, Lesotho

Interdisciplinary Journal of Rural and Community Studies (Online), Sep 21, 2023

In the context of this study, non-formal training has been viewed as an intentional educational e... more In the context of this study, non-formal training has been viewed as an intentional educational endeavour that frequently operates outside the traditional schooling system, with the curriculum and instructional systems tailored to the participants' particular needs and requirements. The study explored the relationship between non-formal education training and sustainable development. An interpretive paradigm was espoused in this study using a qualitative approach confined within a case study, and in-depth face-to-face interviews with three managers from one program of poverty reduction were selected. The other 18 beneficiaries participated in three focus group discussions made of six participants per group. Findings from face-to-face interviews revealed challenges that managers faced in convincing old and illiterate beneficiaries to adapt to modern agricultural trends, especially climate change and the preservation of seeds. Furthermore, findings from focus group discussions reveal a number of training difficulties faced by the beneficiaries, including low literacy levels, lack of efficient teaching techniques, insufficient time for beneficiaries to fully comprehend the concepts, information overload, and the frustration they experience during training. On these premises, the study thus recommends that beneficiaries should be actively involved in all decision-making processes in order to understand their requirements and preferences as well as the transparent use of funding.

Research paper thumbnail of Effective communication in postgraduate supervision: Shaping experiences and overcoming challenges

Interdisciplinary journal of education research, Mar 23, 2024

Although postgraduate supervision relies on effective communication, it has become increasingly c... more Although postgraduate supervision relies on effective communication, it has become increasingly challenging due to various factors, including the cultural, ethnic, and educational backgrounds of both the supervisors and supervisees. As a result, institutions of higher learning are struggling to attract and retain these students. In addition, students often feel frustrated by the pressure to balance their academic and social lives during their studies. Therefore, this study explores the impact of effective communication on postgraduate supervision in higher learning institutions in Lesotho and South Africa. The study adopts an interpretive paradigm and uses a qualitative approach rooted in a case study design. Faceto-face interviews were employed as the data collection tool, and latent thematic analysis was used to analyse emergent themes. The findings reveal several factors that hinder effective communication in postgraduate supervision, including cultural dominance, lack of mutual respect, insufficient training, and a lack of professionalism, among others. Based on these findings, the study recommends that experienced supervisors be assigned to students and that there be a focus on two-way communication and training to develop the necessary skills for a respectful supervisor-student relationship. 1. Introduction Postgraduate supervision is an integral part of higher education that relies heavily on effective communication. This is because it involves the exchange of important information that is crucial for the supervision process. Written, verbal, and non-verbal cues are just a few examples of the various communication strategies that inform supervision (Knapp et al., 2013). Communication in postgraduate supervision has evolved from being solely focused on information exchange to serving multiple functions in the supervision process. In support of the notion, Mahlangu (2021) asserts that communication holds significant value in the realm of postgraduate supervision as it serves to eradicate any potential ambiguities or misconceptions that may arise during the exchange of information. Within this particular context, effective communication allows supervisors to engage in meaningful dialogues with their supervisees, thereby facilitating the provision of clear instructions, constructive criticism, and opportunities for critical thinking (Laksana & Nurhaliza, 2023). Furthermore, Adedokun and Oyetunde-Joshua (2024) highlight the importance of emotional support through communication, positing that such support plays a pivotal role in assisting students in navigating and mitigating anxiety and burnout that may manifest throughout the course of their studies. This demonstrates how communication stabilises the supervision process by allowing both sides to express their opinions regarding the ongoing study. However, there are significant communication challenges in postgraduate supervision. Abdaoui's (2021) study results revealed that poor communication in supervisory relationships has rendered

Research paper thumbnail of Effective Communication in Postgraduate Supervision Shaping Experiences and Overcoming Challenges

Interdisciplinary Journal of Education Research, 2024

Although postgraduate supervision relies on effective communication, it has become increasingly c... more Although postgraduate supervision relies on effective communication, it has become increasingly challenging due to various factors, including the cultural, ethnic, and educational backgrounds of both the supervisors and supervisees. As a result, institutions of higher learning are struggling to attract and retain these students. In addition, students often feel frustrated by the pressure to balance their academic and social lives during their studies. Therefore, this study explores the impact of effective communication on postgraduate supervision in higher learning institutions in Lesotho and South Africa. The study adopts an interpretive paradigm and uses a qualitative approach rooted in a case study design. Face-to-face interviews were employed as the data collection tool, and latent thematic analysis was used to analyse emergent themes. The findings reveal several factors that hinder effective communication in postgraduate supervision, including cultural dominance, lack of mutual respect, insufficient training, and a lack of professionalism, among others. Based on these findings, the study recommends that experienced supervisors be assigned to students and that there be a focus on two-way communication and training to develop the necessary skills for a respectful supervisor-student relationship.

Research paper thumbnail of International Journal of Curriculum and Instruction

International Journal of Curriculum and Instruction, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of An Investigation of the Impact of Non-formal Education on Sustainable Development in Mafeteng, Lesotho

Interdisciplinary Journal of Rural and Community Studies, 2023

In the context of this study, non-formal training has been viewed as an intentional educational e... more In the context of this study, non-formal training has been viewed as an intentional educational endeavour that frequently operates outside the traditional schooling system, with the curriculum and instructional systems tailored to the participants' particular needs and requirements. The study explored the relationship between non-formal education training and sustainable development. An interpretive paradigm was espoused in this study using a qualitative approach confined within a case study, and in-depth face-to-face interviews with three managers from one program of poverty reduction were selected. The other 18 beneficiaries participated in three focus group discussions made of six participants per group. Findings from face-to-face interviews revealed challenges that managers faced in convincing old and illiterate beneficiaries to adapt to modern agricultural trends, especially climate change and the preservation of seeds. Furthermore, findings from focus group discussions reveal a number of training difficulties faced by the beneficiaries, including low literacy levels, lack of efficient teaching techniques, insufficient time for beneficiaries to fully comprehend the concepts, information overload, and the frustration they experience during training. On these premises, the study thus recommends that beneficiaries should be actively involved in all decision-making processes in order to understand their requirements and preferences as well as the transparent use of funding.

Research paper thumbnail of An Investigation into the Impact of Digital Social Media on the Writing and Speaking Skills of Tertiary Level Students in one Institution in Lesotho

J-SHMIC : Journal of English for Academic, Feb 28, 2023

dengan lima (n=5) dosen dan diskusi kelompok fokus dengan enam puluh (n=60) mahasiswa digunakan s... more dengan lima (n=5) dosen dan diskusi kelompok fokus dengan enam puluh (n=60) mahasiswa digunakan sebagai alat untuk pengumpulan data. Temuan dari wawancara tatap muka dengan dosen mengungkapkan bahwa media sosial digital memiliki dampak negatif pada kompetensi tata bahasa siswa karena mereka menggunakan bentuk pendek dalam tulisan formal. Lebih lanjut, temuan dari diskusi kelompok dengan siswa mengungkapkan dua hal; pertama, mereka menunjuk media sosial digital memiliki dampak positif pada keterampilan berbicara mereka, dan kedua memiliki dampak buruk pada keterampilan menulis mereka karena bahasa informal yang digunakan di platform media sosial. Temuan ini menunjukkan bahwa siswa harus diajari cara menggunakan platform dengan benar untuk menyeimbangkan kedua keterampilan tersebut. Konsekuensinya, penelitian ini diakhiri dengan merekomendasikan bahwa dosen harus terus-menerus mendorong mahasiswanya untuk mengobrol menggunakan bahasa formal sepanjang waktu terutama di antara mereka sendiri karena hal ini akan membantu mereka meningkatkan keterampilan menulis mereka.

Research paper thumbnail of Challenges Encountered by ESL Students in The Development of Communicative Competence Skills in Lesotho

International Journal of Language and Literary Studies

This study explored the challenges that undergraduate tertiary students encounter in the developm... more This study explored the challenges that undergraduate tertiary students encounter in the development of communicative competence skills in three selected tertiary institutions in Lesotho. Adopting the qualitative approach, the study employed a case study design for data collection strategies which included face-to-face interviews with lecturers (n=11), focus group discussions with students (n=100) as well as classroom observations (n=2). The findings from face-to-face interviews revealed that traditional methodologies which are mostly employed in the language classrooms because of large classrooms do not enhance students’ communicative competence. Furthermore, the findings from focus group discussions showed lack of motivation to learn English language and the anxiety caused by the fear to speak the target language. Further noted from the observations is that lack of language exposure due to scarcity of interactive activities in the classrooms may further render students communicati...

Research paper thumbnail of The impact of pedagogical translanguaging in enhancing communicative competence of university students in Lesotho

International Journal of Language Studies, 2024

This article reports on the impact of translanguaging in enhancing communicative competence of th... more This article reports on the impact of translanguaging in enhancing communicative competence of the university students in three selected institutions in Lesotho. Data were collected through focus group interviews with ninety (N=90) selected students from the three selected institutions and face-to-face semi-structured interviews with nine (N=9) lecturers from the three institutions as well. The findings reveal that most students prefer being taught in both the target language and their mother-tongue instead of only the target language. These findings highlight the importance of adopting pedagogical translanguaging in the classroom so that students from all backgrounds can be included in their own learning. Future research should therefore focus on how pedagogical translanguaging can be adopted in ESL classroom so that students can have a liberty to draw from their mother tongue in cases where they encounter challenges with the target language.

Research paper thumbnail of An Investigation of the Impact of Non-formal Education on Sustainable Development in Mafeteng, Lesotho

Research paper thumbnail of An exploration into the impact of citizen journalism on traditional journalism in Lesotho

Interdisciplinary Journal of Sociality Studies

In recent years, technological advancement in communication has given citizens opportunities to b... more In recent years, technological advancement in communication has given citizens opportunities to be recipients and purveyors of news. Social networking sites propagate citizen journalism, wherein ordinary citizens without professional training gather and disseminate information. This has presented a number of challenges due to limited quality control standards for determining what constitutes news. The study thus sought to establish the depth and breadth of the impact of citizen journalism on traditional journalism in Lesotho. The study used the qualitative methodology embedded in a case study design. The in-depth face-to-face interviews with (n=10) journalists were conducted to get insight into the impact citizen journalism has on traditional media. The respondents were selected using a purposive sampling technique. In this case, respondents were selected based on their availability and knowledge of the subject at hand. The findings were analysed using thematic analysis to interpret...

Research paper thumbnail of International Journal of Curriculum and Instruction An investigation of the impact of language anxiety on the tertiary ESL undergraduate students' communicative competence in the three selected institutions in Lesotho

International Journal of Curriculum and Instruction, 2023

The study set out to investigate the impact of language anxiety on the tertiary ESL undergraduate... more The study set out to investigate the impact of language anxiety on the tertiary ESL undergraduate students' communicative competence at the three selected universities in Lesotho. Present research point to language anxiety as a hindrance to second language learning and acquisition. This means that students who are anxious cannot learn the target language towards being communicatively competent. In exploring this impact, the study thus adopted a qualitative approach rooted in a case study. Through this design, data were collected in two ways; focus group discussions with (n=100) students from the three selected institutions and the face-to-face interviews with (n = 9) lecturers from the three institutions. Findings from the focus group discussions with students bring to surface students' fear to speak because of negative evaluation from their peers as well as constant error correction by their lecturers. The findings from face-toface interviews with lecturers reveal amongst others that students' anxiety is manifest as a result of lack of exposure to English from high schools. The study thus recommends that high school teachers be equipped with communicative language teaching skills, so that students can be adequately exposed to language for ease of progression to tertiary level.

Research paper thumbnail of An Exploration of The Challenges that Teachers Encounter in Enhancing Learners' Communicative Competence in English Language through Communicative Activities in Three Selected High Schools

International Journal of Language and Literature, 2022

This study explores the challenges that teachers encounter in enhancing learners' communicative c... more This study explores the challenges that teachers encounter in enhancing learners' communicative competence in English Language. The study was conducted in three high schools in the Maseru District, and the design of the study necessitated the adoption of qualitative approach in order to probe the multifaceted phenomenon of English language teaching in its natural setting (the classroom situation). Data in this study were collected through face-to-face interviews with (n=9) teachers from three selected high schools. The findings of the study reveal that English Language teachers employ traditional teaching approaches in their classrooms due to a number of reasons. One of the reasons is that teachers do not teach according to the Curriculum and Assessment Policy standards because the LGCSE English Language Syllabus only accommodates writing and reading, and thus leaves out the other skills; speaking and listening which is why many students are communicatively incompetent. It is hoped that the study will encourage critical reflection from the LGCSE English Language Syllabus developers to equally assess all the four language skills, so that teachers cannot focus on teaching learners for examinations but towards enhancement of learners' communicative competence in English language.

Research paper thumbnail of Challenges Encountered by ESL Students in The Development of Communicative Competence Skills in Lesotho

The field of second language acquisition (SLA) research explores the way English as second langua... more The field of second language acquisition (SLA) research explores the way English as second language learners attain communicative competence in second language (L2). Many communicative language teaching (CLT) theorists define communicative competence differently, thus differentiating it from linguistic competence. For instance, Canale and Swain (1980) define communicative competence as a linguistic term, denoting the speaker's grammatical knowledge of syntax, morphology as well as social knowledge about how and when to use utterances in appropriate contexts. Linguistic competence is also defined as the implicit knowledge of the language structure (Kamiya, 2006; Ohno,

Research paper thumbnail of An exploration into the impact of citizen journalism on traditional journalism in Lesotho

Interdisciplinary Journal of Sociality Studies

In recent years, technological advancement in communication has given citizens opportunities to b... more In recent years, technological advancement in communication has given citizens opportunities to be recipients and purveyors of news. Social networking sites propagate citizen journalism, wherein ordinary citizens without professional training gather and disseminate information. This has presented a number of challenges due to limited quality control standards for determining what constitutes news. The study thus sought to establish the depth and breadth of the impact of citizen journalism on traditional journalism in Lesotho. The study used the qualitative methodology embedded in a case study design. The in-depth face-to-face interviews with (n=10) journalists were conducted to get insight into the impact citizen journalism has on traditional media. The respondents were selected using a purposive sampling technique. In this case, respondents were selected based on their availability and knowledge of the subject at hand. The findings were analysed using thematic analysis to interpret...

Research paper thumbnail of Lecturers' perceptions of blended teaching in the Post COVID-19 Era: A case study of a University in Lesotho

Interdisciplinary journal of education research, Mar 6, 2023

Research paper thumbnail of An Investigation into the Impact of Digital Social Media on the Writing and Speaking Skills of Tertiary Level Students in one Institution in Lesotho

J-SHMIC : Journal of English for Academic, Feb 28, 2023

This study set out to explore the impact of digital social media on the writing and speaking skil... more This study set out to explore the impact of digital social media on the writing and speaking skills of English as second language tertiary level students in one institution in Lesotho. Current research stipulates that digital social media can have a negative impact on students’ grammatical competence if not used properly. However, digital social media has also been found to have a positive impact on students’ productive skills. In order to find out the impact of digital social media on students’ written and oral skills, the study adopted a qualitative approach confined in a case study. Face-to-face interviews with five (n=5) lecturers and focus group discussions with sixty (n=60) students were used as tools for data collection. Findings from face-to-face interviews with lecturers reveal that digital social media has a negative impact on students’ grammatical competence because they employ short forms in formal writings. Furthermore, findings from group discussions with students reveal two things; firstly, they point to digital social media as having a positive impact on their speaking skills, and secondly as having an adverse impact on their writing skills because of the informal language used in the social media platforms. These findings suggest that students should be taught how to properly use the platforms in order to balance the two skills. The study consequently concludes by recommending that lecturers should constantly encourage their students to chat using formal language all the times especially amongst themselves as this will help them to improve their writing skills.

Research paper thumbnail of A content analysis of the alignment between CAP secondary education aims and the LGCSE English language syllabus aims

international journal of curriculum and instruction, 2022

Lesotho went through various phases of curriculum implementations and all were never fruitful unt... more Lesotho went through various phases of curriculum implementations and all were never fruitful until in 2009 when the new policy was adopted. The study therefore sought to investigate an extent to which the LGCSE English Language syllabus aims correlate with the secondary education aims. This study adopted a qualitative research orientation involving document analysis as a method of data generation. The relevant aims were purposefully sampled for analysis and interpretation. The findings of the study reveal that there is an alignment between secondary education aims and the English Language Syllabus aims. However, there is a gross misalignment between standards and assessment which is an indication that the teaching of English might not be comprehensive. The study therefore, proposes ways through which the syllabus and curriculum aims can be both horizontally and vertically aligned in order to bring clarity to English language teaching. It is hoped that the study will stimulate critical reflection on English Language syllabus developers, since only two language skills are tested externally while speaking and listening are ignored.

Research paper thumbnail of Is pedagogical translanguaging a panacea to the colonial monoglossic language ideology in the classroom? Focus on higher education in Lesotho

Journal of Education, 2024

Translanguaging is an approach to language aimed at promoting diversity and plurality of language... more Translanguaging is an approach to language aimed at promoting diversity and plurality of languages in the classroom. In this approach, students are taught in two or more languages, and literature suggests that they tend to participate more in the classroom when concepts are explained in their mother tongue. However, higher learning institutions in most countries, including Lesotho, still practise a colonial monoglossic language approach in the classroom wherein native languages are not included as languages of instruction alongside colonial languages. Therefore, I believe that pedagogical translanguaging can serve as a useful strategy to curb the hegemony of colonial monoglossic ideologies that prohibit the use of African languages in the classroom. This study adopted a qualitative approach confined within a case study design. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with three lecturers and focus group discussions with 60 students. Findings reveal that pedagogical translanguaging is an effective approach because it can promote social justice and plurality of languages in the classroom. The study thus recommends that minority African languages be included as languages of instruction as well, alongside the English language.

Research paper thumbnail of Is pedagogical translanguaging a panacea to the colonial monoglossic language ideology in the classroom? Focus on higher education in Lesotho

Translanguaging is an approach to language aimed at promoting diversity and plurality of language... more Translanguaging is an approach to language aimed at promoting diversity and plurality of languages in the classroom. In this approach, students are taught in two or more languages, and literature suggests that they tend to participate more in the classroom when concepts are explained in their mother tongue. However, higher learning institutions in most countries, including Lesotho, still practise a colonial monoglossic language approach in the classroom wherein native languages are not included as languages of instruction alongside colonial languages. Therefore, I believe that pedagogical translanguaging can serve as a useful strategy to curb the hegemony of colonial monoglossic ideologies that prohibit the use of African languages in the classroom. This study adopted a qualitative approach confined within a case study design. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with three lecturers and focus group discussions with 60 students. Findings reveal that pedagogical translanguaging is an effective approach because it can promote social justice and plurality of languages in the classroom. The study thus recommends that minority African languages be included as languages of instruction as well, alongside the English language.

Research paper thumbnail of Exploring first-year Communication students’ perception of plagiarism in one University in Lesotho

Journal of African education, Jan 31, 2024

Research paper thumbnail of An investigation of the impact of non-formal education on sustainable development in Mafeteng, Lesotho

Interdisciplinary Journal of Rural and Community Studies (Online), Sep 21, 2023

In the context of this study, non-formal training has been viewed as an intentional educational e... more In the context of this study, non-formal training has been viewed as an intentional educational endeavour that frequently operates outside the traditional schooling system, with the curriculum and instructional systems tailored to the participants' particular needs and requirements. The study explored the relationship between non-formal education training and sustainable development. An interpretive paradigm was espoused in this study using a qualitative approach confined within a case study, and in-depth face-to-face interviews with three managers from one program of poverty reduction were selected. The other 18 beneficiaries participated in three focus group discussions made of six participants per group. Findings from face-to-face interviews revealed challenges that managers faced in convincing old and illiterate beneficiaries to adapt to modern agricultural trends, especially climate change and the preservation of seeds. Furthermore, findings from focus group discussions reveal a number of training difficulties faced by the beneficiaries, including low literacy levels, lack of efficient teaching techniques, insufficient time for beneficiaries to fully comprehend the concepts, information overload, and the frustration they experience during training. On these premises, the study thus recommends that beneficiaries should be actively involved in all decision-making processes in order to understand their requirements and preferences as well as the transparent use of funding.

Research paper thumbnail of Effective communication in postgraduate supervision: Shaping experiences and overcoming challenges

Interdisciplinary journal of education research, Mar 23, 2024

Although postgraduate supervision relies on effective communication, it has become increasingly c... more Although postgraduate supervision relies on effective communication, it has become increasingly challenging due to various factors, including the cultural, ethnic, and educational backgrounds of both the supervisors and supervisees. As a result, institutions of higher learning are struggling to attract and retain these students. In addition, students often feel frustrated by the pressure to balance their academic and social lives during their studies. Therefore, this study explores the impact of effective communication on postgraduate supervision in higher learning institutions in Lesotho and South Africa. The study adopts an interpretive paradigm and uses a qualitative approach rooted in a case study design. Faceto-face interviews were employed as the data collection tool, and latent thematic analysis was used to analyse emergent themes. The findings reveal several factors that hinder effective communication in postgraduate supervision, including cultural dominance, lack of mutual respect, insufficient training, and a lack of professionalism, among others. Based on these findings, the study recommends that experienced supervisors be assigned to students and that there be a focus on two-way communication and training to develop the necessary skills for a respectful supervisor-student relationship. 1. Introduction Postgraduate supervision is an integral part of higher education that relies heavily on effective communication. This is because it involves the exchange of important information that is crucial for the supervision process. Written, verbal, and non-verbal cues are just a few examples of the various communication strategies that inform supervision (Knapp et al., 2013). Communication in postgraduate supervision has evolved from being solely focused on information exchange to serving multiple functions in the supervision process. In support of the notion, Mahlangu (2021) asserts that communication holds significant value in the realm of postgraduate supervision as it serves to eradicate any potential ambiguities or misconceptions that may arise during the exchange of information. Within this particular context, effective communication allows supervisors to engage in meaningful dialogues with their supervisees, thereby facilitating the provision of clear instructions, constructive criticism, and opportunities for critical thinking (Laksana & Nurhaliza, 2023). Furthermore, Adedokun and Oyetunde-Joshua (2024) highlight the importance of emotional support through communication, positing that such support plays a pivotal role in assisting students in navigating and mitigating anxiety and burnout that may manifest throughout the course of their studies. This demonstrates how communication stabilises the supervision process by allowing both sides to express their opinions regarding the ongoing study. However, there are significant communication challenges in postgraduate supervision. Abdaoui's (2021) study results revealed that poor communication in supervisory relationships has rendered

Research paper thumbnail of Effective Communication in Postgraduate Supervision Shaping Experiences and Overcoming Challenges

Interdisciplinary Journal of Education Research, 2024

Although postgraduate supervision relies on effective communication, it has become increasingly c... more Although postgraduate supervision relies on effective communication, it has become increasingly challenging due to various factors, including the cultural, ethnic, and educational backgrounds of both the supervisors and supervisees. As a result, institutions of higher learning are struggling to attract and retain these students. In addition, students often feel frustrated by the pressure to balance their academic and social lives during their studies. Therefore, this study explores the impact of effective communication on postgraduate supervision in higher learning institutions in Lesotho and South Africa. The study adopts an interpretive paradigm and uses a qualitative approach rooted in a case study design. Face-to-face interviews were employed as the data collection tool, and latent thematic analysis was used to analyse emergent themes. The findings reveal several factors that hinder effective communication in postgraduate supervision, including cultural dominance, lack of mutual respect, insufficient training, and a lack of professionalism, among others. Based on these findings, the study recommends that experienced supervisors be assigned to students and that there be a focus on two-way communication and training to develop the necessary skills for a respectful supervisor-student relationship.

Research paper thumbnail of International Journal of Curriculum and Instruction

International Journal of Curriculum and Instruction, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of An Investigation of the Impact of Non-formal Education on Sustainable Development in Mafeteng, Lesotho

Interdisciplinary Journal of Rural and Community Studies, 2023

In the context of this study, non-formal training has been viewed as an intentional educational e... more In the context of this study, non-formal training has been viewed as an intentional educational endeavour that frequently operates outside the traditional schooling system, with the curriculum and instructional systems tailored to the participants' particular needs and requirements. The study explored the relationship between non-formal education training and sustainable development. An interpretive paradigm was espoused in this study using a qualitative approach confined within a case study, and in-depth face-to-face interviews with three managers from one program of poverty reduction were selected. The other 18 beneficiaries participated in three focus group discussions made of six participants per group. Findings from face-to-face interviews revealed challenges that managers faced in convincing old and illiterate beneficiaries to adapt to modern agricultural trends, especially climate change and the preservation of seeds. Furthermore, findings from focus group discussions reveal a number of training difficulties faced by the beneficiaries, including low literacy levels, lack of efficient teaching techniques, insufficient time for beneficiaries to fully comprehend the concepts, information overload, and the frustration they experience during training. On these premises, the study thus recommends that beneficiaries should be actively involved in all decision-making processes in order to understand their requirements and preferences as well as the transparent use of funding.

Research paper thumbnail of An Investigation into the Impact of Digital Social Media on the Writing and Speaking Skills of Tertiary Level Students in one Institution in Lesotho

J-SHMIC : Journal of English for Academic, Feb 28, 2023

dengan lima (n=5) dosen dan diskusi kelompok fokus dengan enam puluh (n=60) mahasiswa digunakan s... more dengan lima (n=5) dosen dan diskusi kelompok fokus dengan enam puluh (n=60) mahasiswa digunakan sebagai alat untuk pengumpulan data. Temuan dari wawancara tatap muka dengan dosen mengungkapkan bahwa media sosial digital memiliki dampak negatif pada kompetensi tata bahasa siswa karena mereka menggunakan bentuk pendek dalam tulisan formal. Lebih lanjut, temuan dari diskusi kelompok dengan siswa mengungkapkan dua hal; pertama, mereka menunjuk media sosial digital memiliki dampak positif pada keterampilan berbicara mereka, dan kedua memiliki dampak buruk pada keterampilan menulis mereka karena bahasa informal yang digunakan di platform media sosial. Temuan ini menunjukkan bahwa siswa harus diajari cara menggunakan platform dengan benar untuk menyeimbangkan kedua keterampilan tersebut. Konsekuensinya, penelitian ini diakhiri dengan merekomendasikan bahwa dosen harus terus-menerus mendorong mahasiswanya untuk mengobrol menggunakan bahasa formal sepanjang waktu terutama di antara mereka sendiri karena hal ini akan membantu mereka meningkatkan keterampilan menulis mereka.

Research paper thumbnail of Challenges Encountered by ESL Students in The Development of Communicative Competence Skills in Lesotho

International Journal of Language and Literary Studies

This study explored the challenges that undergraduate tertiary students encounter in the developm... more This study explored the challenges that undergraduate tertiary students encounter in the development of communicative competence skills in three selected tertiary institutions in Lesotho. Adopting the qualitative approach, the study employed a case study design for data collection strategies which included face-to-face interviews with lecturers (n=11), focus group discussions with students (n=100) as well as classroom observations (n=2). The findings from face-to-face interviews revealed that traditional methodologies which are mostly employed in the language classrooms because of large classrooms do not enhance students’ communicative competence. Furthermore, the findings from focus group discussions showed lack of motivation to learn English language and the anxiety caused by the fear to speak the target language. Further noted from the observations is that lack of language exposure due to scarcity of interactive activities in the classrooms may further render students communicati...

Research paper thumbnail of The impact of pedagogical translanguaging in enhancing communicative competence of university students in Lesotho

International Journal of Language Studies, 2024

This article reports on the impact of translanguaging in enhancing communicative competence of th... more This article reports on the impact of translanguaging in enhancing communicative competence of the university students in three selected institutions in Lesotho. Data were collected through focus group interviews with ninety (N=90) selected students from the three selected institutions and face-to-face semi-structured interviews with nine (N=9) lecturers from the three institutions as well. The findings reveal that most students prefer being taught in both the target language and their mother-tongue instead of only the target language. These findings highlight the importance of adopting pedagogical translanguaging in the classroom so that students from all backgrounds can be included in their own learning. Future research should therefore focus on how pedagogical translanguaging can be adopted in ESL classroom so that students can have a liberty to draw from their mother tongue in cases where they encounter challenges with the target language.

Research paper thumbnail of An Investigation of the Impact of Non-formal Education on Sustainable Development in Mafeteng, Lesotho

Research paper thumbnail of An exploration into the impact of citizen journalism on traditional journalism in Lesotho

Interdisciplinary Journal of Sociality Studies

In recent years, technological advancement in communication has given citizens opportunities to b... more In recent years, technological advancement in communication has given citizens opportunities to be recipients and purveyors of news. Social networking sites propagate citizen journalism, wherein ordinary citizens without professional training gather and disseminate information. This has presented a number of challenges due to limited quality control standards for determining what constitutes news. The study thus sought to establish the depth and breadth of the impact of citizen journalism on traditional journalism in Lesotho. The study used the qualitative methodology embedded in a case study design. The in-depth face-to-face interviews with (n=10) journalists were conducted to get insight into the impact citizen journalism has on traditional media. The respondents were selected using a purposive sampling technique. In this case, respondents were selected based on their availability and knowledge of the subject at hand. The findings were analysed using thematic analysis to interpret...

Research paper thumbnail of International Journal of Curriculum and Instruction An investigation of the impact of language anxiety on the tertiary ESL undergraduate students' communicative competence in the three selected institutions in Lesotho

International Journal of Curriculum and Instruction, 2023

The study set out to investigate the impact of language anxiety on the tertiary ESL undergraduate... more The study set out to investigate the impact of language anxiety on the tertiary ESL undergraduate students' communicative competence at the three selected universities in Lesotho. Present research point to language anxiety as a hindrance to second language learning and acquisition. This means that students who are anxious cannot learn the target language towards being communicatively competent. In exploring this impact, the study thus adopted a qualitative approach rooted in a case study. Through this design, data were collected in two ways; focus group discussions with (n=100) students from the three selected institutions and the face-to-face interviews with (n = 9) lecturers from the three institutions. Findings from the focus group discussions with students bring to surface students' fear to speak because of negative evaluation from their peers as well as constant error correction by their lecturers. The findings from face-toface interviews with lecturers reveal amongst others that students' anxiety is manifest as a result of lack of exposure to English from high schools. The study thus recommends that high school teachers be equipped with communicative language teaching skills, so that students can be adequately exposed to language for ease of progression to tertiary level.

Research paper thumbnail of An Exploration of The Challenges that Teachers Encounter in Enhancing Learners' Communicative Competence in English Language through Communicative Activities in Three Selected High Schools

International Journal of Language and Literature, 2022

This study explores the challenges that teachers encounter in enhancing learners' communicative c... more This study explores the challenges that teachers encounter in enhancing learners' communicative competence in English Language. The study was conducted in three high schools in the Maseru District, and the design of the study necessitated the adoption of qualitative approach in order to probe the multifaceted phenomenon of English language teaching in its natural setting (the classroom situation). Data in this study were collected through face-to-face interviews with (n=9) teachers from three selected high schools. The findings of the study reveal that English Language teachers employ traditional teaching approaches in their classrooms due to a number of reasons. One of the reasons is that teachers do not teach according to the Curriculum and Assessment Policy standards because the LGCSE English Language Syllabus only accommodates writing and reading, and thus leaves out the other skills; speaking and listening which is why many students are communicatively incompetent. It is hoped that the study will encourage critical reflection from the LGCSE English Language Syllabus developers to equally assess all the four language skills, so that teachers cannot focus on teaching learners for examinations but towards enhancement of learners' communicative competence in English language.

Research paper thumbnail of Challenges Encountered by ESL Students in The Development of Communicative Competence Skills in Lesotho

The field of second language acquisition (SLA) research explores the way English as second langua... more The field of second language acquisition (SLA) research explores the way English as second language learners attain communicative competence in second language (L2). Many communicative language teaching (CLT) theorists define communicative competence differently, thus differentiating it from linguistic competence. For instance, Canale and Swain (1980) define communicative competence as a linguistic term, denoting the speaker's grammatical knowledge of syntax, morphology as well as social knowledge about how and when to use utterances in appropriate contexts. Linguistic competence is also defined as the implicit knowledge of the language structure (Kamiya, 2006; Ohno,

Research paper thumbnail of An exploration into the impact of citizen journalism on traditional journalism in Lesotho

Interdisciplinary Journal of Sociality Studies

In recent years, technological advancement in communication has given citizens opportunities to b... more In recent years, technological advancement in communication has given citizens opportunities to be recipients and purveyors of news. Social networking sites propagate citizen journalism, wherein ordinary citizens without professional training gather and disseminate information. This has presented a number of challenges due to limited quality control standards for determining what constitutes news. The study thus sought to establish the depth and breadth of the impact of citizen journalism on traditional journalism in Lesotho. The study used the qualitative methodology embedded in a case study design. The in-depth face-to-face interviews with (n=10) journalists were conducted to get insight into the impact citizen journalism has on traditional media. The respondents were selected using a purposive sampling technique. In this case, respondents were selected based on their availability and knowledge of the subject at hand. The findings were analysed using thematic analysis to interpret...

Research paper thumbnail of Lecturers' perceptions of blended teaching in the Post COVID-19 Era: A case study of a University in Lesotho

Interdisciplinary journal of education research, Mar 6, 2023

Research paper thumbnail of An Investigation into the Impact of Digital Social Media on the Writing and Speaking Skills of Tertiary Level Students in one Institution in Lesotho

J-SHMIC : Journal of English for Academic, Feb 28, 2023

This study set out to explore the impact of digital social media on the writing and speaking skil... more This study set out to explore the impact of digital social media on the writing and speaking skills of English as second language tertiary level students in one institution in Lesotho. Current research stipulates that digital social media can have a negative impact on students’ grammatical competence if not used properly. However, digital social media has also been found to have a positive impact on students’ productive skills. In order to find out the impact of digital social media on students’ written and oral skills, the study adopted a qualitative approach confined in a case study. Face-to-face interviews with five (n=5) lecturers and focus group discussions with sixty (n=60) students were used as tools for data collection. Findings from face-to-face interviews with lecturers reveal that digital social media has a negative impact on students’ grammatical competence because they employ short forms in formal writings. Furthermore, findings from group discussions with students reveal two things; firstly, they point to digital social media as having a positive impact on their speaking skills, and secondly as having an adverse impact on their writing skills because of the informal language used in the social media platforms. These findings suggest that students should be taught how to properly use the platforms in order to balance the two skills. The study consequently concludes by recommending that lecturers should constantly encourage their students to chat using formal language all the times especially amongst themselves as this will help them to improve their writing skills.

Research paper thumbnail of A content analysis of the alignment between CAP secondary education aims and the LGCSE English language syllabus aims

international journal of curriculum and instruction, 2022

Lesotho went through various phases of curriculum implementations and all were never fruitful unt... more Lesotho went through various phases of curriculum implementations and all were never fruitful until in 2009 when the new policy was adopted. The study therefore sought to investigate an extent to which the LGCSE English Language syllabus aims correlate with the secondary education aims. This study adopted a qualitative research orientation involving document analysis as a method of data generation. The relevant aims were purposefully sampled for analysis and interpretation. The findings of the study reveal that there is an alignment between secondary education aims and the English Language Syllabus aims. However, there is a gross misalignment between standards and assessment which is an indication that the teaching of English might not be comprehensive. The study therefore, proposes ways through which the syllabus and curriculum aims can be both horizontally and vertically aligned in order to bring clarity to English language teaching. It is hoped that the study will stimulate critical reflection on English Language syllabus developers, since only two language skills are tested externally while speaking and listening are ignored.

Research paper thumbnail of Fostering Effective Communication and Information Sharing in Higher Education Institutions

IGI Global, 2024

Effective communication is crucial for cohesive team dynamics in higher education settings, going... more Effective communication is crucial for cohesive team dynamics in higher education settings, going beyond individual interaction. This chapter discussed the effective communication and information sharing towards the development effective and high Performing teams in higher education. In higher education institutions, email, bulletin boards, messaging applications, and questionnaires are efficient means of communication in order for high performing teams. It is revealed that communication obstacles including language, cultural, psychological, emotional, environmental,