Multilingual pedagogies in South African higher education institutions

Multilingualism also contributes to a more inclusive learning environment, reflecting the truth about the first and second language diversity of many?South Africa higher education (HE) students. This paper contributes to a multilingual perspective on the decolonization of knowledge in the teaching and learning practices at?South African higher education institutions. The study?aims to make sense of diverse conceptualisation of curriculum by the universities to examine students’ experiences on epistemic access in decolonisation discourses. A multilinguistic approach to curriculum work incorporates epistemological perspectives?while challenging the dominance of Eurocentric knowledge systems. Curriculum development?that resonates with local histories and global realities, is required in strengthening the relevancy of education in South African schools. In addition, the multilinguistic ideal is not only pedagogically beneficial, but also an important decolonising tool, making higher education in?South Africa reflective of its multilingual society and all students. A systematic qualitative literature review will be implemented in this study and the review process in this application will be?underpinned by literature and statistical evidence supplied by South African universities. This paper seeks to highlight that higher education can be supported to the fullest through reframing the social justice and?resilience theories. From a multilingual standpoint, the findings of this study will contribute to understandings of students’ perceptions of epistemic access and contribute towards the?epistemic decoloniality discourse in South African universities.