ERIC Number: EJ958923
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Mar
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1077-6958
EISSN: N/A
The Language(s) of Failure? Unequal Access to Journalism Education and Training at a Former Whites-Only Afrikaans University in South Africa
Botma, Gabriel J.
Journalism and Mass Communication Educator, v67 n1 p26-44 Mar 2012
A former whites-only South African university's journalism department employs a dual-medium language policy in which Afrikaans and English alternate in classrooms, and students may use either. Admissions processes include a test of linguistic ability (general/cultural knowledge and writing skills). Citing Bourdieu, this article disputes the validity of the test's score as an indication of a student's linguistic ability (part of his/her "cultural capital"); in fact, students' biographical profile form part of their "habitus." First, levels and composition of cultural capital of different "racial" groups of students show how the way the test determines linguistic ability structures student performances. Second, statistical findings are discussed with reference to the profile and assessments practices of department staff members. Such practical changes could improve selection of black students, but this article also suggests reconsidering the dual-medium language policy. (Contains 1 figure, 1 table and 41 notes.)
Descriptors: Language Planning, Writing (Composition), Journalism Education, Linguistics, Biographical Inventories, Journalism, Foreign Countries, Profiles, Writing Skills, Whites, Indo European Languages, Language of Instruction, English, Language Usage, College Students, Aptitude Tests, Scores, Cultural Capital, Student Characteristics, Blacks, Departments, Educational Policy, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Test Validity, College Faculty, Bilingual Education
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: South Africa
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A