EXPLORING WAYS IN WHICH STUDENTS WITH SPEECH DISABILITY CAN BE ASSISTED IN ORAL ASSESSMENT: A CASE STUDY OF A UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, SOUTH AFRICA

 

Hlohlolo, Sephiri David

Dr., Lecturer: Department of Communication Sciences, Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa, shlohlolo@cut.ac.za

 

Abstract

This study explored the University of Technology’s student stammers situation in their classrooms during oral presentations, as an assessment tool. This study is a descriptive cross-sectional quantitative design where self-administered, questionnaires were used to collect data, using 50 participants. The data collected was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 19. From the results, 60% that is 30 participants were males, and 40% that is 20 participants were females which were randomly selected (inclusive of stammers). All the participants were aware of the disability rights. 56% of the respondents reported that they are not comfortable in speaking in public (classroom), to avoid being labelled by other students. 31, 3% of the participants were uncertain, also reporting that they were once verbally abused and 12, 7% of participants reported that they experienced stigmatisation. Though the study found that 56% of the respondents were not comfortable at all, in doing public speaking in the classroom. This study, therefore recommend that alternative methods of assessing such students, such as presenting in the lecturer’s office, and a programme to help such students needs to be introduced at the Universities of Technology in South Africa.

Keywords: Stammers, Oral Assessment, Abuse, stigmatisation, Verbal abuse, Public speaking