Sociolinguistic Influences on the Learners as Readers in the South African Primary School Classroom

A sociolinguistic angle is employed to cast light on the problem to find the ideal reading material in the South African primary school classroom and more specifically the foundation phase. Some of the sociolinguistic influences considered to exert an influence on the learners as readers in the South African primary school classroom are: ethnicity, culture, socio-economic influences, age and emotional as well as cognitive development and educational influences such as peers, teachers and parents. Investigations reveal that books and material enjoyed by learners deal with cultural issues sensitively and avoid dehumanisation or portrayal of certain groups as inferior. The responsibility of the role players in education such as parents, educators and children is underscored.