Acronyms and Initialisms
You see them all the time, all over the place but how well do you know your acronyms and initialisms?Five fascinating truths about dragon boat racing
Dragon boat racing is an age-old tradition, originating in China about 2000 years ago. From dragon boat festivals to modern-day competitive racing, dragon boating has become one of the fastest growing water sports in the world. Here are five fascinating truths about...Paddle to Read: a tribute to Madiba
Keep the 5th of December 2015 open for a special commemorative Oxford Paddle to Read for Madiba Dragon Boat Race at the V&A Waterfront Marina, 9am-12pm. This year’s event will see educational publisher Oxford University Press Southern Africa and shareholder...How often should I buy my child a dictionary?
How often does my child need a new dictionary? Though much depends on your child and his/her language level, including whether your child is a home-language or additional-language speaker, one can usually follow the phase guidelines in our school system: Foundation,...Scary Words You Might Encounter at University
You’re likely to face some very strange and long looking words during your time at university (particularly Latin ones). Here’s a list of some universal University words and terms you should beware of.Good practice in culture rich classrooms: Research-informed perspectives
It was with a deep sense of appreciation that I received a recent review on OUPSA’s Good practice in culture rich classrooms: Research-informed perspectives, in early October. As publishers, it is important that the books we produce are relevant and speak to the...Ten useful words for academic writing
Academic writing can get very cerebral very quickly. It’s always important to be eloquent in writing – to say the most with the least. Lecturers don’t want literary firework displays just plain simple truth that sparkles. Here are some useful words that may help you...The value of a good textbook
I still have many of the textbooks that I used while I was studying on my bookshelf at home. The other day I took one of those textbooks off the shelf again to check on something and I started thinking about what makes a really great textbook. What makes you...How to use a dictionary to support literature study
Dictionaries can be invaluable in studying literature. Literature authors craft their words, so many novels, plays or poems have unusual words or difficult constructions you won’t encounter in everyday conversations, while some words are unique to specific works of...Learning styles: strategies for effective learning
A learning style is the learner’s preferred way of learning. It is their unique way of understanding and remembering information for assignments, tests and especially for the exams. Encourage your learners to capitalise on their strengths and learn more effectively...Non-English words that are now used in English
While it is certainly old and established, English is certainly far from being a pure language (very few are). Here’s a look at words from other languages which have been adopted by English.South African heritage: lekker local words
South African English is a melting pot of unique words, borrowing from many of the 11 official languages to make meaning. Words like ‘lekker’, ‘ubuntu’, ‘howzit’ and ‘gees’ are just a few that reflect our rich cultural heritage. Check out the definitions of some...Oxford South African Pocket Dictionary, Fourth Edition
The eagerly awaited fourth edition of the Oxford South African Pocket Dictionary will hit the bookshop shelves in the second half of 2015. This southern African edition of the world’s best-selling, most practical pocket English dictionary for high-school and office...Writing an Argumentative Essay 101
We’ve all heard the phrase, ‘think before you speak’. It’s generally said in quite a supportive way – often after someone hasn’t! But the saying makes a good point, especially when it comes to putting forward an effective argument. Arguments are vehicles for...Publisher Profile: Penny Lane
If you’re interested in the publishing industry or simply want to have a closer look at Oxford University Press Southern Africa – look no further than our recurring Publisher Profile feature. Publisher Profiles are brief Q & A sessions with our Publishers which...Sparking the conversation on literacy: Q&A with Marcie Craig Post
Marcie Craig Post is Executive Director of the International Literacy Association (ILA), which supports the Pan-African Reading for All Conference. Here she shares some insights about her organisation, its links with the conference, and what she has learned during her...Working knee to knee with schools in Kenya
Teachers need a range of culturally relevant, locally developed tools if they are to improve literacy in their learners. This statement by Professor Helen Inyega from the University of Nairobi in Kenya summed up four presentations which she delivered at the combined...Inspired by reading…
Two Tanzanian teachers attending the Pan-African Literacy for All conference have been so inspired by the event that they have ambitions to form a reading association in the country. Pamela Bhanji of the Foundation International School and Albert Katagira of Usiime...Sparking the conversation on literacy: Q&A with three Kenyan teachers
Earlier this year, three Kenyan teachers won places at the Pan-African Literacy for All Conference 2015 thanks to competitions sponsored by Oxford University Press. Salyne Nyongesa, teacher at St Anthony Boy’s High School in Kitale, Pete Ombwogor, Principal at St...Animals: a new tool for fighting illiteracy?
Animals don’t often feature in lists of tools used to combat literacy issues, but one South African researcher has highlighted the positive impact that our furry friends can have on reading levels. Zanne van Eeden, a Masters of Education student at the University of...Engaging teachers to improve local language literacy
For optimal literacy and learning, young children should be taught in their mother tongue. At RASA2015 – the combined 9th Pan African Reading for All and the 10th Reading Association of South Africa conference – which took place in Cape Town last week, this...Kenyan reading project showcased at Pan-African Literacy Conference
In the Kajiado region of Kenya, literacy is an important issue. Research indicates that just 30 percent of parents are able to read and write, and there low levels of literacy among teachers. A project designed to address these problems was highlighted at the 2015...Improving girls’ literacy in Zambia
A former teacher presented at the 2015 Pan-African Literacy for All Conference on Wednesday about research that has helped more than 30,000 Zambian students to improve their literacy. The Quality Reading Materials project provided 55 schools in the Petuake and Kafue...
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