Browsing by Author "Mdukula, Paschal Charles"

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    Assessing compatibility between materials design, assessment methods, and competence-based language teaching (CBLT) in Tanzania
    (University of Dar Es Salaam, 2013) Mdukula, Paschal Charles
    This study attempted to assess the extent of compatibility between materials design, assessment method, and Competence-Based Language Teaching (CBLT) in the Tanzania. It also dealt with examining the pertinent challenges that English Language teachers encounter in adopting authentic materials and assessment methods in their classrooms. This study employed both quantitative and qualitative research designs. The data for the study were collected by using survey questionnaire, face-to-face interviews, and documentary review. A total of 42 informants: school teachers, TIE, and NECTA officers, were involved in soliciting the necessary information with regard to the research problem. The findings indicate that there is minimal compatibility between materials design, assessment methods, and CBLT. The materials adopted in schools do not match with the requirements of the curriculum, also the assessment methods have not changed with the adoption of a new curriculum. The findings further revealed that there are pertinent challenges facing teachers to the extent that they impede a smooth implementation of some aspects of the curriculum. These challenges include: Huge classes, problem of funding for teaching resources, inherent wrong assumption about authentic assessment methods held by English teachers, lack of knowledge about the curriculum and heavy workload. To curb these challenges, a number of recommendations have been given by the study; one of which being the need for the government to develop partnership between universities, teachers’ colleges, and schools so as to share knowledge and disseminate the necessary information and skills for the introduced innovations in the curriculum. In order to have quality teaching/learning materials, TIE should be given a fundamental support in terms of funds so as to develop quality textbooks relevant to the curriculum instead of leaving this noble task to private authors. Also the study recommends that NECTA adheres to what the CBLT requires in assessing learners’ achievement. Lastly, the study recommends that English language teachers to employ their professional creativity in dealing with the observed challenges instead of throwing blames to other stakeholders.
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    Linguist landscape of public health institution in Tanzania The case of Muhimbili National Hospital
    (University of Dar es salaam, 2018) Mdukula, Paschal Charles
    This is sociolinguistic study pursued to investigate the Linguistic landscap (LL) of a public health institution in Tanzania. Specifically, the study aimed to accomplish three sociolinguistic concerns--the nature of linguistic landscape of Muhimbili National Hospital MNH) the influence of linguistic landscape on access to information at MH and the coping strategies that are used by hospital clients to access information in the LL at MNH when they fail to understand is written on signboards. Data for this work which included photographs and interview narrative s from LL actors came primarily from MNH in Dar es salaam, Tanzania A total of 225 public signs from various areas of activity at MNH were purposively sampled through observation method and 20 respondents were purposively and conveniently sampled through interview during the field survey. The current study adopted sociolinguistic framework by Backhaus (2005) and spolsky (2009) which substantiates the explorative analysis of public signs by focusing on theoretical constructs like: LL actors, language choice and preference, motive for language function in the LL and the way these constructs influence access to information on the part of the reader(s) in the public space. The study employed a case study design to examine the nature of LL at MNH as a particular case and its influence on access to information. Results show that MHN,s linguistic landscape is predominantly controlled by top-down actors than bottom -up actors in which 96% of public signs analysed were top-down items. In terms of language choice and preference three languages were more visible in the linguistic public space of the hospital -- English, Kiswahili, and Chinese, but English was more visible in both monolingual and bilingual signs showed that most of sign were mainly disseminating information related to health promotion. Administration regulation and responsibilities. Furthermore two coping strategies used by hospital clients when they failed to understand what was written on signboards were identified -- there are asking other fellows at the hospital and using personal experience on the area and its compounds. Results concluded that the LL of the hospital does not guarantee access to information to the majority of hospital clients due to the language patens used on public signs. In order to improve access to information in the LL of the hospital and address linguistic needs of hospital clients, the study recommended adaptation of Kiswahili –English language pattern or bilingual policy in which two languages are used for public signage.