Robyn Tyler

Rufaro Makaya/Pexels

August 18, 2026

What happened when a South African school switched from English to bilingual science tests

Robyn Tyler, University of the Western Cape

In a case study, parents responded positively to their children being taught science in two languages.

Reading and. writing are not just cognitive skills - they are socially shared and shaped practices. Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

May 21, 2023

South Africa’s reading crisis: 5 steps to address children’s literacy struggles

Catherine Kell, University of Cape Town; Carolyn McKinney, University of Cape Town; Robyn Tyler, University of the Western Cape, and Xolisa Guzula, University of Cape Town

These interventions have the potential to boost South African children’s literacy.

Schools need assistance to develop language policies that support multilingual education. Shutterstock

August 2, 2022

Bilingual education can work in South African schools: here’s how

Robyn Tyler, University of the Western Cape; Brian Ramadiro, University of Fort Hare; Carolyn McKinney, University of Cape Town, and Xolisa Guzula, University of Cape Town

Bilingual education is possible for all South Africa’s children.

Being able to learn science in a number of languages helps children to develop an understanding of concepts - like the robotics used to build this dinosaur. David Mercado/Reuters

September 1, 2015

Multilingualism boosts learning ‑ and can create new science knowledge too

Robyn Tyler, University of Cape Town; Carolyn McKinney, University of Cape Town, and Xolisa Guzula, University of Cape Town

Using more than one language when teaching and learning science in schools can greatly enhance concept development. This in fact goes to the heart of science.

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What happened when a South African school switched from English to bilingual science tests

South Africa’s reading crisis: 5 steps to address children’s literacy struggles

Bilingual education can work in South African schools: here’s how

Multilingualism boosts learning ‑ and can create new science knowledge too

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