Academic Literacy in Africa: Beyond Language, Emphasizing Critical Thinking and Analysis – Universities Must Prioritize Teaching These Skills

The transition from school to university can be challenging, especially when it comes to academic literacy. In South Africa, many students struggle with the shift from high school to university-level writing and critical thinking.

Academic literacy is essential for developing deep thinkers, critical readers, and writers. However, many universities in South Africa still follow a “deficit model” approach, focusing on generic skills like note-taking and grammar rather than critical thinking and argumentation.

This approach can be detrimental as it fails to equip students with the necessary skills to challenge knowledge, think critically, and problem solve. It also perpetuates stereotypes about certain languages and stigmatizes non-native English speakers.

To address these issues, academic literacy programmes in South African universities need to focus on empowering students with critical thinking skills. Collaboration between academic literacy practitioners and disciplinary experts is crucial to ensure contextual relevance and keep up with new research in the field.

By shifting the focus from a deficit model to a more empowering approach, universities can better prepare students for the challenges of higher education and the demands of the South African economy. It’s time to rethink academic literacy and prioritize the development of critical thinking skills for all students.