Every teacher requires sound communication skills both in and outside of the classroom. South African classrooms are diverse and many teachers are faced with the challenge of facilitating learning in a language that is not theirs or their learners’ dominant tongue. When a message is not conveyed effectively, misunderstandings, misconceptions and even situations of conflict can arise. Communication, culture, and the multilingual classroom equips the prospective teacher with the necessary communication and classroom literacies to follow a policy of additive multi- or bilingualism that encourages learners to value their own language as well as those of others.

Communication, culture, and the multilingual classroom provides a useful and enriching guide for interacting with many different people at different levels in the learning environment. Additional resources, now available on the book’s website, include useful tips and information on learning and using new words and phrases from Afrikaans, Sepedi, Tswana, Zulu, and Xhosa. If teachers have even a limited knowledge of at least one other language spoken by their learners, it goes a long way towards better understanding and learning. 

Contents include the following:

• Theoretical foundation of communication skills for the professional teacher
• Communication skills for the classroom
• Using your voice safely
• Explaining the cultural diversity of the South African classroom
• Explaining the linguistic diversity of the South African classroom
• Understanding social spaces and cultural practices