1. Early literacy as a foundation for learning
The Zenex story

2. It all adds up Partnership approach
20 years of evidence-based grant making
Dual focus on system-wide and
Innovation
Work across the schooling system
Specialised focus on maths, science and language education

3. Today’s focus: Foundation Phase literacy
Partnership
approach
20 years of
evidence-based
grant making
Dual Focus on
System-wide and
innovation
It all adds up logo
Specialised focus on maths, science and language education
Work across the schooling system
Literacy

4. Why is literacy important for M & S
Literacy at Foundation Phase is critical – it’s a game-changer
Maths and science are gateway subjects
Literacy is fundamental to learning
Good language = good maths and science
To build a skill base to enable economic growth and development

5. Why literacy?
Ability to read for meaning and pleasure is arguably the most important skill that children learn in primary school.
While there are many challenges in the South African education system, the fact that most children do not learn to read fluently and with comprehension by the end of Grade 3 (in any language) is arguably the binding constraint to improved educational outcomes for the poor.

6. Literacy Performance in SA Bimodality – indisputable fact (Spaull)
PIRLS / TIMSS / SACMEQ / NSES / ANA / Matric… by Wealth / Language / Location / Dept.…

7. Literacy Performance in SA Insurmountable learning deficits: (Spaull)
Spaull & Viljoen, 2014 (SAHRC Report)

8. Improving literacy is complex
Register for
African
Languages
Available
Resources
Teacher capability
Approaches to
teaching
reading
Language
Policy
Capacity
Contextual realities
Intervention
Strategy

9. Our 20 year journey Develop reading resources
1994
Support language policy
Dearth of good material
African language development
Development of English from grade 1
Poor transition to
English Grade 4
Innovating with English from Grade 1
African language development
Link between literacy and numeracy
African language development
Research shows integral relationship between literacy and numeracy
2015

10. Three action areas to influence literacy outcomes
Teacher development
Develop reading resources
English from Grade 1
Research programme
Link between literacy and numeracy
Resources

11. Classroom infrastructure
Resources
African
Languages
English
Classroom infrastructure
Graded readers
Lesson plans

12. Teacher development Supported accredited and non-accredited programmes
To assist teachers deal with complexities of a multi-lingual classroom
To improve teachers’ own proficiency
To support writing
To support classroom routines
To develop teachers’ understanding of how to teach reading

13. Research Programme English in a multi-lingual context
Benchmarking in African languages
Research to improve knowledge influence policy and practice
Literacy in African languages
Link between literacy and numeracy

14. What we have learnt
Teacher Development: Relationship between numeracy and literacy
Resources, training and support
“Learn through doing”
Implementation: teachers must not be overwhelmed
Specialised service providers in literacy & numeracy
Dual Focus: implementation & building capacity
Phased approach – literacy must precede numeracy
Theoretical underpinnings and skills

15. What we have learnt Research Resource Development
Developing materials with linguistic integrity
Invest in capacity
Research
Developing a body of evidence
Innovation or testing must be underpinned by M & E
Track Performance