usefulness of linguistic repetoires for social integration and academic success

The paper examines the perceptions and expectations held by newcomer students of the usefulness of their linguistic repertoires in helping them achieve social integration and academic success at the International University of Management (IUM) in Namibia. This qualitative study used interviews as a data collection method. Data was collected from 44 first-year students in their second semester at the IUM across faculties, using a language background questionnaire, after which interviews were held with a purposive sample of eight of the 44. Interview data were transcribed and thematically analysed. The findings reveal that IUM students are multilingual, on average speaking three languages. English is the most widely used language – the medium of instruction at the IUM and the campus-wide lingua franca, followed by Oshiwambo and Afrikaans. Other African and foreign languages also form part of the students’ linguistic repertoires and are mainly used in informal settings. It further reveals that students expected their linguistic repertoire to help them achieve social integration and academic success at university, before and after joining the institution.