HLT3701
ASSIGNMENT 2
DUE DATE: 2025
,COVER PAGE
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA (UNISA)
Department of Early Childhood Education
Module Code: HLT3701
Module Title: Home Language Teaching
Assignment: 2 (2025)
Student Name: ___________________________
Student Number: _________________________
Semester: Year Module
Primary Lecturer: Dr. M. Ngema
Date of Submission: ______________________
, QUESTION 1 (25 Marks)
1.1.1 What is a Language-Rich Environment? (5 marks)
A language-rich environment refers to a learning space where learners are consistently
exposed to spoken and written language in meaningful ways. This includes daily
opportunities for learners to engage in discussions, listen to stories, explore books and
written texts, and participate in songs or rhymes. Such an environment supports the
natural development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, helping learners
to build vocabulary and strengthen their understanding of language structures.
According to the Department of Basic Education (2011) and Vygotsky’s social
development theory (1978), these interactions are crucial for enhancing language and
cognitive development through social interaction.
1.1.2 Two Classroom Activities to Develop a Language-Rich Classroom (6 marks)
Activity 1: Group Storytelling
In this activity, learners sit in a circle and take turns contributing to a shared story based
on a familiar theme. The teacher guides the session with prompts, encouraging learners
to use descriptive language and form complete sentences. This supports vocabulary
development, sequencing skills, and verbal expression.
Activity 2: Environmental Print Labelling
The teacher labels everyday items in the classroom, such as “chalkboard,” “door,” or
“bookshelf,” using bold, easy-to-read text. Learners are encouraged to read the labels
aloud and use them in spoken or written sentences. This activity enhances print
awareness, word recognition, and sentence construction skills.
ASSIGNMENT 2
DUE DATE: 2025
,COVER PAGE
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA (UNISA)
Department of Early Childhood Education
Module Code: HLT3701
Module Title: Home Language Teaching
Assignment: 2 (2025)
Student Name: ___________________________
Student Number: _________________________
Semester: Year Module
Primary Lecturer: Dr. M. Ngema
Date of Submission: ______________________
, QUESTION 1 (25 Marks)
1.1.1 What is a Language-Rich Environment? (5 marks)
A language-rich environment refers to a learning space where learners are consistently
exposed to spoken and written language in meaningful ways. This includes daily
opportunities for learners to engage in discussions, listen to stories, explore books and
written texts, and participate in songs or rhymes. Such an environment supports the
natural development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, helping learners
to build vocabulary and strengthen their understanding of language structures.
According to the Department of Basic Education (2011) and Vygotsky’s social
development theory (1978), these interactions are crucial for enhancing language and
cognitive development through social interaction.
1.1.2 Two Classroom Activities to Develop a Language-Rich Classroom (6 marks)
Activity 1: Group Storytelling
In this activity, learners sit in a circle and take turns contributing to a shared story based
on a familiar theme. The teacher guides the session with prompts, encouraging learners
to use descriptive language and form complete sentences. This supports vocabulary
development, sequencing skills, and verbal expression.
Activity 2: Environmental Print Labelling
The teacher labels everyday items in the classroom, such as “chalkboard,” “door,” or
“bookshelf,” using bold, easy-to-read text. Learners are encouraged to read the labels
aloud and use them in spoken or written sentences. This activity enhances print
awareness, word recognition, and sentence construction skills.
