Abstract:
South African educators express feelings of ineptitude as they do not know how to support ESL (English Second Language) learners with limited English proficiency. This litany emphasises educators’ need for supportive and preventive intervention. A language enrichment programme was compiled after a research study was conducted into the needs of educators teaching Grade 4 ESL learners with limited English proficiency. An intervention research method was then followed to test the efficacy of this programme. Forty teachers implemented the language enrichment programme over a six-week period. Thirty-nine teachers provided constructive feedback at the end of this period. Between 92% and 100% of the participants rated the programme positively. Rural participants suggested some refinements to the programme. The overall conclusion is that the programme makes a useful contribution to ESL practice. (In this article English Second Language Learners refer to learners attending school where English is the Language of Learning and Teaching, but it is their second or third language).