Answer to Question #127515 in English for Sabelo Xolani Mlangeni

Question

Why is EMI important in South Africa

Answer 1

Importance of EMI in South Africa

The South African educational context is deeply depended upon English as the primary language of instruction given the multicultural and multilingual nature of the country’s school system. Other languages like the Afrikaans have not done enough to come to the level of proficiency and universal appeal that the English language has and until now, children whose native languages are different from English must change to English as it is the medium of communication and instruction in the South African learning institutions. Although English continues to be a second language to many indigenous students and the main medium of instruction, it has become the language of social, cultural and economic integration that is used in industry, trade, tourism, diplomacy, science and technology.