How social media influences language
If you could keep up with the above conversation, you are probably either a parent keeping abreast of your child’s communication methods or a member of the more youthful side of our society and a strong ‘mother-tongue user’ of it. When texting, a lot of people use...Are they still making them? Dictionaries in a digital world
When I say I make dictionaries for Oxford University Press, people used to say, “Remind me not to play scrabble against you!” Now they say, “Are you still making dictionaries? I just use Google.” It’s true that a number of dictionary...August is TVET College month
As part of the Department of Higher Education and Training’s (DHET) ‘Decade of the Artisan’ initiative (read our previous blogpost about the Decade of the Artisan here), the Department has declared August as ‘TVET College Month’. During the month of August, TVET...Meet a few of the leading South African women of the future
Since 2008, Oxford University Press Southern Africa’s unique shareholding partnership with the Mandela Rhodes Foundation has enabled a large number of young Africans to complete their postgraduate degrees while participating in customised leadership development...Students! Succeed in your exams
Many students find writing exams very stressful, but this need not be the case. If you ensure that you are prepared, not only academically, but also practically and emotionally, you are well on your way to succeeding. We have put together some tips for you on...FUN WORDS to liven up your vocabulary
Here are some fun words you might not use every day to add to your vocabulary!Succeed in studying
Students, we know that preparing for an examination or test can be quite daunting. You often don’t know where to start or how exactly to approach the course content. We have put together some tips to help you succeed in studying. Identify the right place to study:...11 ways to say ‘YOUTH’ in South Africa
On this day that we celebrate our youths and look back on how far we have come, let’s speak to one another in a way only South Africans can: in our 11 official languages.Young South Africans to be proud of
The history behind Youth Day is familiar to all South Africans. The Soweto Uprising that sparked controversy during the apartheid regime has been a painful wound for South Africa to bear. Yet every year on the 16th of June, South Africans are reminded of the...Mapping our world
Publishing a book, any book, is a fairly complex business. There’s the commissioning, writing, editing, illustrating, layout, design, proofreading, translating, printing, and so on. And making maps, cartography, is definitely a complex business. It combines science,...Drumsticks and talking heads: a closer look at South African slang
A drumstick is a drumstick, right – a lovely, juicy bit of chicken leg on the bone? Wrong. In many parts of Cape Town, a drumstick refers to a baguette or French bread (a long, narrow loaf of bread). When you think about the shape of this bread, it’s easy to see why...How lecturers can take full advantage of Learning Zone
So you’ve been prescribing Oxford University Press Southern Africa titles for a while now, and maybe some of you have taken advantage of the Learning Zone platform. But what exactly can Learning Zone offer to your students and to you as a lecturer? Here are...Say what?! 9 South African words with different meanings in the USA
If you’ve ever given directions to a tourist in South Africa, chances are that you’ve been met with a fascinated or downright puzzled expression after telling them to “turn left at the robot”. Take a look at these 9 words which have very different meanings for us...Students, succeed in the classroom
In a digitally-orientated world, many students wonder why they still need to attend lectures. After all, aren’t they only really needed in person so that the lecturer can tick their names off on the attendance register so they gain entrance to the exam? Some...Môre! Hoe gaan dit?
When you’re learning a language, you may feel reluctant to try out the new vocabulary and grammar by speaking. Perhaps you’re afraid of pronouncing a word wrongly and feeling silly. Children learning languages at school can feel the same. Teachers and parents know...Why it’s important to protect your copyright and intellectual property
26 April is World Intellectual Property Day. We asked Dr Owen Dean, who specialises in trade mark litigation, copyright law, competition law and entertainment and media law, some questions about copyright and intellectual property: Q: In a nutshell, what...World Book Day: Amazing Reading Records
World Book Day, which takes place on 23 April each year, sees adults and children across the world celebrate their love of books and reading. Take a look at these five awe-inspiring reading-related records from the Guinness World Records.AN INTRODUCTION TO SCHOLARSHIP
Campus has just started and you’ve just gotten the hang of everything. You know (more or less) where your classes are and you’ve completed your registration, daunted by the fact that you had to organize everything yourself. You’ve even been given your very first...How to make your own posters
Given the importance of visual aids in the classroom, many teachers create their own posters. In order for these to be effective teaching tools, adhere to the following tried and tested design principles. Convey one clear messageResist the temptation to cover an...Top 10 educational apps for students
Students, here is our list of the top 10 apps to make your life easier during exam prep and in everyday student life: RealCalc scientific calculator This app is for those who would rather forget their stationery behind than their phones. It is easy to use and...Greetings and signs of respect across the world
The Bill of rights states that every person has the right to choose, practise and develop their culture, language and religion, provided that the rights of others are respected when you do so. As we celebrate Human Rights Day this month, let’s look at some fascinating...Emoji
For its Word Of The Year (WOTY) for 2015, the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) chose emoji. Say what? Isn’t that more than just a little ironic? That the revered OED – guardian, recorder and elucidator of the English language – should choose for its WOTY something not...Wall posters to decorate, educate and stimulate
Sure, wall posters are colourful and brighten up your classroom, but their educational potential far exceeds being a decorative piece of paper for your walls. Finding ways to effectively integrate posters into the teaching and learning process is essential in helping...
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