Arts across the curriculum as a pedagogic ally for primary school teachers

Abstract

The arts as a pedagogic medium can be an important tool for language learning, and yet many teachers avoid it, often because of a lack of confidence. The main purpose of this study was to explore the possibility of generalist educators, as opposed to art specialists, using the arts successfully as a cross-curricular tool to accelerate English First Additional Language acquisition. Most South African learners speak African languages as a mother tongue, yet they are taught in English from Grade 4 onwards. With the use of an action research project, learners’ English proficiency was assessed with a custom-designed tool and, thereafter, they participated in 10 weekly sessions of arts-integrated English activities before being re-assessed. Positive results confirmed that generalist educators are able to utilise arts, and it showed the urgency for more focused arts-integrated educational training in generalist educator courses at South African universities. Although the research was limited in scope, it raises the question of how teachers for the primary school are educated with regard to learning a language with the use of the arts.

Early childhood care and education educators’ understanding of the use of music-based pedagogies to teach communication skills

“…She added that music courses are made compulsory in the teacher training institutions across the country and that teaching practice in music was a mandatory exercise for pre-service teachers. This finding is in congruence with the report of Barrett and Bond (2015) and Van Vuuren and Eurika (2018) that declared that a good number of teachers receive training in music and thus have self-efficacy to use music as a pedagogical medium to teach the learners. Additionally, some earlier researchers avow that virtually, all the South African universities offer creative arts subject in the pre-service teacher education programs, although the subject is usually taught within a single semester, but the pre-service teachers have the basic knowledge of the use of music in the classroom (cf.…”

“…A study conducted by Britto et al (2017) affirmed that the application of developmentally appropriate implementation strategies, such as the use of songs and rhymes in the ECCE classroom, is an important factor for achieving sustainable early childhood development. Several research studies have also established that using music to teach any skill helps learners to gain a quick understanding, makes the classroom atmosphere a positive environment for learning and promotes social interaction amongst learners, thereby aiding the growth and development of the ECCE learners (Ba'th & Mychailyszyn 2017;Hawkins 2016;Knight & Rabon 2017;Van Vuuren & Eurika 2018). In addition to listening, reading and writing skills, skills in other subjects such as mathematics and life skills can be unpacked using music as a teaching strategy for other grades (Cloete & Delport 2015;Van Vuuren & Van Niekerk 2015).…”

“…Nearly, all South African universities offer creative arts training in their pre-service teacher education programmes; the subject is usually taught in a single semester and music is only one component of creative arts, but pre-service teachers are given basic knowledge of the use of music in the classroom (Van Vuuren & Eurika 2018). De Vries (2013 reported that some developed countries give their specialist educators music training, and allocate musical teaching resources and funding to aid their use of music as pedagogical medium.…”

Rural Early Childhood Educators’ Perception of Music-Based Pedagogy in Teaching Communication Skills to Children

“…Music is one of the components of creative arts and is taught in virtually all South African teacher training Universities, hence pre-service teachers are given some rudimental knowledge of music. 30 There are many types of music, but this study will only consider the ones relevant to ECCE development. For many years, music in the form of conventional songs, cradle songs, video game music, and traditional music has been confirmed to have a significant effect on young children's learning.…”