Bridging and academic support for first year university students: preparation of the lecturing staff

Abstract

Academically disadvantaged students encounter many problems in coping with a medium of instruction other than their own mother tongue at tertiary level. The authors established additional needs, e.g. the upgrading of thinking and study skills, which were, in the programme under discussion, addressed simultaneously with the language component. They outline the plan, structure and implementation of a project consisting of a seven-week bridging course and an academic support programme lasting a full academic year. A blueprint for an Academic Preparational and Support Programme is discussed. Conclusions and recommendations follow. Studente met akademiese agterstande ondervind baie probleme op tersiere vlak met die onderrigmedium wat nie hul moedertaal is nie. Die skrywers het addisionele behoeftes bepaal, soos die opgradering van denk- en studievaardighede, wat saam met die taal aandag geniet het in die program onder bespreking. Hulle verstrek die plan, struktuur en implementering van 'n projek wat bestaan uit 'n sewe-week brugkursus en 'n akademiese ondersteuningsprogram vir die duur van 'n volle akademiese jaar. 'n Meesterplan vir 'n Akademiese Voorbereidings- en Ondersteuningsprogram word bespreek. Gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings sluit die artikel af