Promotion of culture through the teaching of local languages: a case of Icibemba in selected primary schools in Mansa district, Zambia.

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Date
2024
Authors
Kalumba, Morgan
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The University of Zambia
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the promotion of culture through the teaching of local languages: A case of Icibemba in some selected primary schools in Mansa district, Zambia. The objectives of the study were; to identify some of Zambian cultural aspects embedded in the teaching of local languages (Icibemba) in schools in Mansa, to ascertain the extent to which Zambian cultural aspects are being promoted through the teaching of local languages (Icibemba) and to establish challenges being faced in promoting the Zambian cultural aspects through the teaching of local languages. The study was qualitative and descriptive design was employed. The participants in this study involved only 13 grade four primary school teachers, 16 grade four learners and 1 standard officer which gave a study a total of thirty (30) participants. The research design used was descriptive; Interviews, focus group discussions lesson observation and document analysis were the modes of collecting data. Data was then analyzed thematically and was presented in a descriptive manner. The findings established that, culture was taught in some topics of Icibemba. Document analysis of the Zambian school curriculum revealed that there was content variation of cultural aspects across Icibemba, as some topics had more or less content than the others. It was also established that a native Language of a particular ethnic group was a factor for promotion of its culture, as language was an important aspect of culture itself. Local language users aimed at culture continuation and survival of the heritage. There were less cultural activities which provided the learners with a cultural enabling environment to tap from. For this reason, in this study the researcher advocates for the compulsory teaching of local languages as a way of promoting culture. In this study, the researcher recommended for a compulsory teaching of local languages and culture, so as to ensure every learners’ participation into the actual promotion and maintenance of Zambia’s culture and its heritage. Henceforth, the Ministry of Education should allocate more time for the practical teaching of culture in various Zambian languages and consider to make cultural studies a compulsory subject. The Ministry should consider with cultural experts so as to enable learners get firsthand information and train teachers to teach culture.
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Thesis of Master of Education in Literacy Language and Applied Linguistics.
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