Exploring New Scientific Methods in the Teaching and Learning of Sesotho

Abstract

Teaching and learning of languages especially modern languages, be they L1, L2 or L3, continue to evolve and shift from the traditional approach where the physical instructor was key to the educational process to contemporary interactive digital approaches that give the learn a certain amount of confidence and autonomy. However, this is not the case in Lesotho where the approach in the teaching and learning of Sesotho has arguably been traditional, despite the fact that Sesotho is not only the official language but also the only indigenous language spoken across the country. This article concerned with problems related to teaching and learning of Sesotho through the use of traditional methods. It argues that contemporary approaches would render the language much more accessible to the masses locally and internationally, particularly in the information age. Secondly, new methods would help re-document the language with all the indigenous knowledge and savoir-faire proper to the language and culture of Basotho. The article explores possible avenues of electronic language documentation and digitisation with the aim of improving the teaching and learning of Sesotho in formal academic establishments and in informal settings generally meant for foreign agents working or representing international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the rural areas of Lesotho. This is where citizens may know how to read and right but not be particularly conversant in the second official language - English. Finally, the article advocates for collaboration between computer scientists and linguists with the objective of developing an on-point Sesotho language software that supports regulated online language learning platforms.