Teachers’ Perceptions of Integrating Technology in Rural Primary Schools to Enhance the Teaching of English First Additional Language

Abstract

Teachers’ perceptions of integrating technology in rural primary schools play a substantial role in the Intermediate Phase (grades 4 to 6) in enhancing the teaching of English first additional language (EFAL). However, in a country such as South Africa, teachers experience barriers such as time constraints, load shedding, a lack of facilities, a lack of digital skills and an internet connection which challenges the incorporation of technology in language lessons in this posthumanism era. This study explored teachers’ perceptions of integrating technology in EFAL classes in rural primary schools in Limpopo, South Africa. There are several studies on how teachers feel about using technology in secondary schools and higher education, but only a few have concentrated on rural primary schools specifically the Intermediate Phase. Therefore, this area deserves further investigation to add to empirical data. An interpretivist paradigm guided this study informed by the technology acceptance model (TAM). An exploratory qualitative case study used semi-structured interviews for data gathering. Ten Intermediate Phase EFAL teachers were selected with the help of purposeful sampling. Using thematic analysis, the obtained data were categorized into codes and themes. It was found that teachers are willing to use technology to teach EFAL as it has revolutionized their teaching and appreciated its productivity in their teaching activities. It is advised that EFAL teachers receive additional in-service training on integrating technology into EFAL teaching. The acquired skills from the training may assist in time management and how to cope working with limited resources.