Diversity at a dual-medium university: factors affecting first year students' attitudes

Abstract

South African universities cater for a diverse body of students and dual-medium universities face a particularly daunting challenge. The attitudes of different groups of students towards specific courses, subjects and their studies as a whole should be seen in context. This article examines the concepts of diversity and Language of Teaching and Learning and reports findings regarding the attitudes of different groups of first-year students to various aspects of one course. Three separate problems involving language, enthusiasm for the subject and teamwork seemed to be experienced by different groups of students. Reasons that point to differences between the educational needs of the different groups of students being taught in parallel at dual-medium universities are suggested.