Instilling an Investigative Culture in Language Learning

Abstract

To be proficient when learning a language, one needs to have an instilled culture to investigate and probe deeper into diversities of the underlying language aspects. An investigative culture and improved critical thinking skills during language learning requires a multifaceted approach that involves both the teacher and learners to engage cooperatively. When this culture has been instilled, teachers can impart to learners skills to analyse information and evaluate sources, yet, drawing conclusions based on evidence. This paper had its main aim of investigating whether instilling an investigative culture can enhance language learning for improved comprehension skills. For this investigation, a qualitative approach was applied and entrenched in a case study design where five conveniently sampled university English language teachers as initiators to implant an investigative culture to enhance language learning were nominated as participants. To collect data, semi structured interviews were administered and this assisted to have better understanding of the underlying factors caused by lacking culture to investigate matters for enhanced language learning. From this study it was divulged that (i) enhanced research skills and (ii) improved memory retention were the major findings as outcomes of an instilled investigative culture when learning languages. It is concluded and recommended by this paper that an investigative culture in language learning can lead to improved language proficiency, with established critical thinking skills that can help to enhance research skills, thereby preparing learners for real-world encounters.