ASSESSMENT 03
Essay-type questions
NB: This assessment is COMPULSORY for all students registered for this module.
Assessment 03 comprises essay-type questions. These questions are designed to help
you work through learning units 3 and 4 of your study guide.
QUESTION 1
Vygotsky’s theory, if applied to language teaching, views collaborative learning
conversations with older people as a form of collaborative learning that develops
children both cognitively and linguistically.
1.1 Argue the significance of collaborative learning in a Foundation Phase
classroom.
(Study guide pg. 34)
Collaborative learning is crucial in a Foundation Phase classroom as it fosters a
supportive environment where children learn from one another and from interactions
with more knowledgeable peers or adults. This method encourages active participation,
enhances communication skills, and develops critical thinking. Through group activities
and discussions, children can explore different perspectives, build on each other's
ideas, and develop a deeper understanding of concepts. This social interaction is
essential for cognitive development, as posited by Vygotsky, who believed that learning
is a social process.
1.2 Assess the significance of scaffolding in language acquisition.
Scaffolding is a vital instructional strategy in language acquisition. It involves providing
temporary support to children to help them achieve tasks they cannot accomplish
independently. This support can come in various forms, such as modeling, prompts, or
breaking down tasks into manageable steps. Scaffolding helps bridge the gap between
what children already know and what they need to learn, gradually transferring the
responsibility of learning from the teacher to the student. By doing so, it promotes
independence and confidence in language use. Vygotsky emphasized the importance
of scaffolding in facilitating learning within the child's zone of proximal development
(ZPD).
Essay-type questions
NB: This assessment is COMPULSORY for all students registered for this module.
Assessment 03 comprises essay-type questions. These questions are designed to help
you work through learning units 3 and 4 of your study guide.
QUESTION 1
Vygotsky’s theory, if applied to language teaching, views collaborative learning
conversations with older people as a form of collaborative learning that develops
children both cognitively and linguistically.
1.1 Argue the significance of collaborative learning in a Foundation Phase
classroom.
(Study guide pg. 34)
Collaborative learning is crucial in a Foundation Phase classroom as it fosters a
supportive environment where children learn from one another and from interactions
with more knowledgeable peers or adults. This method encourages active participation,
enhances communication skills, and develops critical thinking. Through group activities
and discussions, children can explore different perspectives, build on each other's
ideas, and develop a deeper understanding of concepts. This social interaction is
essential for cognitive development, as posited by Vygotsky, who believed that learning
is a social process.
1.2 Assess the significance of scaffolding in language acquisition.
Scaffolding is a vital instructional strategy in language acquisition. It involves providing
temporary support to children to help them achieve tasks they cannot accomplish
independently. This support can come in various forms, such as modeling, prompts, or
breaking down tasks into manageable steps. Scaffolding helps bridge the gap between
what children already know and what they need to learn, gradually transferring the
responsibility of learning from the teacher to the student. By doing so, it promotes
independence and confidence in language use. Vygotsky emphasized the importance
of scaffolding in facilitating learning within the child's zone of proximal development
(ZPD).
