EXPLORING THE USE OF BLENDED TEACHING AND LEARNING OF ISIZULU IN HIGHER EDUCATION POST-COVID-19 LOCKDOWN

ABSTRACT Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the higher education sector immensely. Higher education institutions (HEIs) were compelled to adopt blended teaching and learning as a sustainable alternative. Currently, most HEIs continue to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of different teaching approaches that include online, hybrid, and blended learning. IsiZulu students were largely affected by the changes in education during the COVID-19 pandemic since some of the module contents are difficult to analyse through online channels. In this study, a systematic literature review was conducted, focusing on studies examining the effectiveness of blended learning in the higher education sector. Data collection entailed a qualitative approach and an interpretivist paradigm. The purpose was to reflect on the effectiveness of blended teaching and learning of African Languages, in the higher education sector particularly isiZulu.  We reviewed 25 peer-reviewed articles. However, only 18 were considered and analysed based on their relevance and focus on traditional, online and blended teaching and learning isiZulu. Four key search words were used in imploring data namely African languages, blended learning, traditional learning and undergraduates. The databases used to gather literature were ResearchGate, Google Scholar, JSTOR and Web of Science. Key inclusion criteria were publications in either isiZulu or English; studies published within the last 8 years. Data were thematically analysed. The findings showed that combining traditional and online teaching and learning methods can improve students’ academic performance. This is important because such a “critical combo” presents several opportunities to enhance effective teaching and learning through student engagements, thereby serving as a reliable storage for student records. It also creates a convenient educational space. Keywords: Performance, isiZulu, Blended learning, Undergraduate, Higher education.