Vuyokazi Yolanda Makubalo (Sol Plaatje University, South Africa)
Mzukisi Howard Kepe (Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa)
Abstract
There is a growing interest in the transformative potential of love in English as a second language (ESL) teaching. It seems to be a powerful, inclusive force in education, potentially significantly enhancing the teaching and learning of ESL in South African schools. At present, we are grappling with learner demotivation and escalating levels of anxiety in ESL classrooms, which impede language acquisition and negatively affect academic performance. However, the integration of love pedagogy could be the beacon of hope we need to address these challenges. In this narrative review, we investigate the literature to find a humanistic approach that could positively impact ESL teaching and learning. The comprehensive review and analysis we conducted demonstrated that a pedagogy of love in ESL teaching and learning creates a safe and nurturing classroom environment wherein second-language learners feel comfortable expressing their thoughts while learning the language. We therefore recommend that a pedagogy of love be included in ESL teacher education curricula.
Research Paper (Video; 25 minutes)
Social Justice Issues
General Interest
About the Presenters
Vuyokazi Makubalo is a Hornby Scholar with an MA in ELT from Warwick University in the United Kingdom. She has more than 20 years of teaching experience, which has seen her working as an English curriculum advisor and deputy chief marker for the Department of Education in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. At present, she serves as a teacher educator at Sol Plaatje University, where she advocates for humanistic and affective pedagogies in the ESL teacher education curriculum, which would sustain South African education.
Mzukisi Kepe has a PhD in English language education, with a specialized focus on sociolinguistics. His primary research interests advocate for classroom-based pedagogical practices that enhance the educational experience. He has actively contributed to the academic community by presenting at numerous prestigious international conferences. His endeavors have taken him to several international universities, where he collected data or delivered keynote addresses. His work continues to influence the field of English language education through his commitment to fostering effective pedagogical practices.
