Abstract:

The study investigates how language teachers’ strategies instil the culture of reading in primary school learners in Qumbu Education District, South Africa. An inductive approach was appropriate for small samples that produced qualitative data. Participants comprised of 20 primary school teachers who were conveniently selected from various schools around district. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, then thematically analysed and interpreted. It emerged from the analysed data that varying teaching and learning strategies seemed to yield good results, however, there seemed to be lack of intervention strategies with regard to available resources. Poor home learner-background played a negative role in encouraging reading. Findings of this study also revealed that teaching reading remains one of the basic skills in learning and this was being compromised as teachers teaching other subjects, besides languages, attributed this task only to those offering languages. The study concluded that if relevant teaching strategies could be adhered to, a culture of reading could be instilled. The study recommends that launching of libraries is a vital adventure to be undertaken. Teachers, irrespective of the subjects they offer, should encourage learners to visit the library for the purposes of instilling the love of reading books. Reading habits seem to have an effect on academic performance, therefore relevant teaching strategies need to be attended to effectively so as to instil a culture of reading.

Keywords:

A culture of reading, effective teaching strategies, exposure to reading material.