Tobie Van Dyk
Towards providing effective academic literacy intervention
Stellenbosch University
article focuses current situation south africa number factors related academic literacy deleteriously affect student throughputthis large financial implications country well tertiary institutionssince significant numbers students high academic potential risk low levels academic literacy first year students three south african universities write test academic literacy levels tallthis test used assign students appropriate support coursesan explanation illustrated empirical data given construct use tallpreliminary conclusions terms impact intervention drawn first iteration towards indepth longitudinal study test effectivenesssuccess academic literacy interventionfinally suggestions research outlinedresearch done independent educational specialists suggests dramatic drop level academic language proficiency among students apply tertiary study cfrademeyer 2005a40 natal witness 20048based data south african department education doe mamaila 20011 observes 25 first year tertiary enrolments drop completing studiesthis represents financial loss approximately r1 3 billion yeareven dramatic figures quoted mkhabela malan 20042 point percentage first year dropouts increased 40 historically disadvantaged students drop outthe situation remains critical subsequent years undergraduate programme since challenges increaserademeyer 2005b4 reports 2000 2002 50 tertiary students failed 2002 2003 22 graduatedthere several reasons situation described abovehowever purposes article three discussedthe first political history segregation subsequent unequal distribution resources south african educational system