Ideguru: Jurnal Karya Ilmiah Guru
Vol. 10 No. 3 (2025): September 2025 Edition

The Impact of Reading Habits on English Proficiency in South African Grade 4 Township Learners

Siyasanga Stella Bavuma (Walter Sisulu University, Komani Park, Queenstown, Eastern Cape)
Lundi Nomlala (Walter Sisulu University, Komani Park, Queenstown, Eastern Cape)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 May 2026

Abstract

The primary aim of this study is to study the influence of reading habits on English language proficiency among Grade 4 English First Additional Language learners in the O.R. Tambo Inland District. Employing a qualitative method guided by an interpretivist paradigm, this research gathered data through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Thirty Grade Four learners and two teachers from selected township primary schools participated in the study. The collected data were subjected to a thematic analysis. The study highlighted key themes, including reading practices, challenges, and support structures, thereby revealing how these factors collectively influence the development of English language proficiency among Grade 4 FAL learners. The study's findings outline the main themes that emerged from the data, emphasizing how reading habits affect English language proficiency. This study concludes that consistent and well-supported reading plays an important role in shaping the English language proficiency of grade 4 EFAL learners. It contributes to the existing literature by providing context-specific insights into South African township schools, an area that has received little research. The study suggests implementing focused reading programs, enhancing access to reading materials at home and in schools, and providing teacher-led reading support.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jurnalideguru

Publisher

Subject

Education Other

Description

"Ideguru" means the overall thought conducted by teachers, in the form of classroom action research as well as scientific papers. The vision of Ideguru is to be one of the main references for teachers in planning, implementing and evaluating learning inovation in Yogyakarta Special Province (DIY), ...