HOPEACADEMY
INC3701
Portfolio (Assessment 06)
DUE 29 SEPTEMBER 2025
2025
Task 1
Critically analyse the teacher's question in the image: "Are my
learners struggling to learn or am I struggling to teach?" In your
response, discuss the potential factors contributing to learners'
struggles and how teachers' practices and attitudes might
influence the learning process. Provide examples to support
your answer.
0 7 6 4 0 3 1 2 2 9
,INC3701 Portfolio(Assessment 06)
DUE 29 SEPTEMBER 2025
Task 1
Critically analyse the teacher's question in the image: "Are my learners struggling to learn
or am I struggling to teach?" In your response, discuss the potential factors contributing to
learners' struggles and how teachers' practices and attitudes might influence the learning
process. Provide examples to support your answer.
The image of a teacher asking the question, “Are my learners struggling to learn or am I
struggling to teach?” is powerful because it touches on one of the deepest issues in
education. The question reflects an honest and reflective moment where a teacher wonders
whether the difficulties learners face in the classroom are caused mainly by the learners
themselves or by the way teaching is being done. This kind of reflection is important in
professional practice because it challenges teachers to look critically at their own role in
the teaching and learning process.
The purpose of this essay is to critically analyse this question by exploring the potential
factors that contribute to learners’ struggles and the influence of teachers’ practices and
attitudes on the learning process. It will argue that while learners may experience
difficulties due to personal, social, or economic reasons, teachers also play a central role in
shaping whether learning becomes easier or harder for them. The essay will provide
examples, discuss both learner and teacher-related factors, and highlight the importance of
reflective teaching.
2. Understanding Learner Struggles
Learners may struggle in school for many reasons, and these reasons often go beyond their
control. One important factor is socio-economic background. In South Africa and many
other countries, learners from poor families often come to school without basic resources
such as textbooks, school uniforms, or even food. Poverty affects concentration, attendance,
and overall academic performance (Spaull, 2013). For example, a hungry learner may find
it difficult to focus on reading or mathematics, not because they lack intelligence but
because their basic needs are not being met.
, Another common factor is language barriers. In many schools, learners are taught in a
language that is not their home language. Research shows that learners learn best in their
mother tongue during the early years of schooling, but in South Africa, English or Afrikaans
is often used as the language of teaching and learning (Probyn, 2015). This creates
challenges in comprehension, reading, and expression. A learner may appear “weak” when
in fact they are trying to learn both the subject content and the language at the same time.
Learning difficulties and disabilities are also reasons why some learners struggle.
Conditions such as dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or autism
spectrum disorder affect the way learners process information. Without early identification
and support, these learners may fall behind. Inclusive education policies highlight the
responsibility of teachers to support learners with special needs, but in practice, many
teachers lack the training to do so effectively (Walton, 2018).
Another factor is the emotional and social environment of learners. Children who come
from unstable families, experience violence, or lack emotional support may struggle to
engage in school activities. Emotional stress and trauma can reduce motivation and create
behavioural challenges (Donald, Lazarus & Lolwana, 2010).
Finally, peer pressure and social influences affect learning. Learners may avoid
participating in class to avoid embarrassment, or they may prioritise fitting in with friends
over focusing on academics.
These factors show that learners’ struggles are complex and not simply a matter of laziness
or lack of ability. Instead, they are shaped by broader social, emotional, and developmental
conditions that teachers need to understand and respond to.
3. Teachers’ Role in Influencing Learning
While it is important to acknowledge learner challenges, the way teachers approach their
work can either reduce or increase these struggles. One of the key aspects is pedagogical
practice. Good teaching strategies can make a big difference in how learners engage with
INC3701
Portfolio (Assessment 06)
DUE 29 SEPTEMBER 2025
2025
Task 1
Critically analyse the teacher's question in the image: "Are my
learners struggling to learn or am I struggling to teach?" In your
response, discuss the potential factors contributing to learners'
struggles and how teachers' practices and attitudes might
influence the learning process. Provide examples to support
your answer.
0 7 6 4 0 3 1 2 2 9
,INC3701 Portfolio(Assessment 06)
DUE 29 SEPTEMBER 2025
Task 1
Critically analyse the teacher's question in the image: "Are my learners struggling to learn
or am I struggling to teach?" In your response, discuss the potential factors contributing to
learners' struggles and how teachers' practices and attitudes might influence the learning
process. Provide examples to support your answer.
The image of a teacher asking the question, “Are my learners struggling to learn or am I
struggling to teach?” is powerful because it touches on one of the deepest issues in
education. The question reflects an honest and reflective moment where a teacher wonders
whether the difficulties learners face in the classroom are caused mainly by the learners
themselves or by the way teaching is being done. This kind of reflection is important in
professional practice because it challenges teachers to look critically at their own role in
the teaching and learning process.
The purpose of this essay is to critically analyse this question by exploring the potential
factors that contribute to learners’ struggles and the influence of teachers’ practices and
attitudes on the learning process. It will argue that while learners may experience
difficulties due to personal, social, or economic reasons, teachers also play a central role in
shaping whether learning becomes easier or harder for them. The essay will provide
examples, discuss both learner and teacher-related factors, and highlight the importance of
reflective teaching.
2. Understanding Learner Struggles
Learners may struggle in school for many reasons, and these reasons often go beyond their
control. One important factor is socio-economic background. In South Africa and many
other countries, learners from poor families often come to school without basic resources
such as textbooks, school uniforms, or even food. Poverty affects concentration, attendance,
and overall academic performance (Spaull, 2013). For example, a hungry learner may find
it difficult to focus on reading or mathematics, not because they lack intelligence but
because their basic needs are not being met.
, Another common factor is language barriers. In many schools, learners are taught in a
language that is not their home language. Research shows that learners learn best in their
mother tongue during the early years of schooling, but in South Africa, English or Afrikaans
is often used as the language of teaching and learning (Probyn, 2015). This creates
challenges in comprehension, reading, and expression. A learner may appear “weak” when
in fact they are trying to learn both the subject content and the language at the same time.
Learning difficulties and disabilities are also reasons why some learners struggle.
Conditions such as dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or autism
spectrum disorder affect the way learners process information. Without early identification
and support, these learners may fall behind. Inclusive education policies highlight the
responsibility of teachers to support learners with special needs, but in practice, many
teachers lack the training to do so effectively (Walton, 2018).
Another factor is the emotional and social environment of learners. Children who come
from unstable families, experience violence, or lack emotional support may struggle to
engage in school activities. Emotional stress and trauma can reduce motivation and create
behavioural challenges (Donald, Lazarus & Lolwana, 2010).
Finally, peer pressure and social influences affect learning. Learners may avoid
participating in class to avoid embarrassment, or they may prioritise fitting in with friends
over focusing on academics.
These factors show that learners’ struggles are complex and not simply a matter of laziness
or lack of ability. Instead, they are shaped by broader social, emotional, and developmental
conditions that teachers need to understand and respond to.
3. Teachers’ Role in Influencing Learning
While it is important to acknowledge learner challenges, the way teachers approach their
work can either reduce or increase these struggles. One of the key aspects is pedagogical
practice. Good teaching strategies can make a big difference in how learners engage with
