​​​Antoinette van der Hoven received her master's degree in Language Teaching at the Faculty of Education's graduation in March and she enjoyed her studies so much that she plans to start her doctorate in 2024.

"I want to encourage people to do postgraduate studies at the Faculty of Education. The postgraduate study opportunities are of such a nature that it equips any student to be the best possible educator in the South African context. I even got my husband to complete his Master's degree this year!"

Van der Hoven's study focused on task-based linguistics teaching in Afrikaans Home Language - specifically grade 4. The task-based approach has been used in Additional Language teaching for many years, but has not yet been used for Home Language teaching. She analysed the two most famous Afrikaans Home Language textbooks and then drew up a theoretical framework to incorporate the task-based approach into the current system.

Challenges abounded during her studies. Apart from the COVID-19 pandemic with all kinds of challenges, Van der Hoven worked full-time while doing her master's degree. She is a part-time lecturer in the Department of Curriculum Studies at the Faculty of Education, Stellenbosch University. She also had to homeschool her own son and become comfortable with online tutoring for students. In addition, both her parents were also very ill, and many friends and colleagues died during the pandemic. However, the constant fear and uncertainty motivated her to continue with her studies.

"The Faculty of Education and Department of Curriculum Studies' support was incredible! Prof Michele van der Merwe, my supervisor, really went the extra mile with me. I definitely want to start my doctorate in 2024 - I firmly believe that one is never too old to learn."

​Van der Hoven plans to use her studies and research to equip education students to be the best possible teachers.

Photo: Stefan Els

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