Athenkosi Mndende

Hello, I’m Athi. I am a communication science lecturer at Rosebank College. Registered for a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Humanities at Rhodes University. I have over five years of teaching experience in the following disciplines: communication science, digital marketing and digital communication, media studies, isiXhosa language teaching, sociolinguistics, academic literacy, and applied linguistics. I am passionate about fostering inclusivity and empowering communities through research and advocacy.

I view teaching as an art of dialogue—emancipatory in nature—where the classroom becomes a transformative space for both student and teacher. In my approach, students do not arrive as empty vessels; their lived experiences form the basis for emancipation. I weave together context and concept, beginning with students’ realities and guiding them toward higher levels of conceptual understanding. This is especially valuable when teaching abstract or theory-rich modules, where strong semantic gravity (connection to lived reality) and strong semantic density (depth and transferability of knowledge) are equally critical. I find that modules like applied linguistics cover concepts such as intertextuality, multimodality, semiotic remediation, phonology, all of which require that students master both knowledge and skills — knowing the facts (“what”) and knowing how to use them (“how”). I also adopt a student-centred approach that positions learners as active participants in the classroom. This allows me to use case studies, group work, simulations, and multimedia tasks — ensure that students not only understand concepts but can apply them in context. I find this approach effective as students often have shorter attention span. Connecting learning to what they truly know often led to deeper conceptual mastery.

In terms of assessment of critical media studies and communication, I have often set and moderated traditional testing styles combining questions that yield to shorter and longer format answers, multiple choice, long essay format, true or false questions along with what I believe is revolutionary to create lasting teaching memories as teaching cannot be divorced from assessment, use of practical assignments with presentations or group work that use modern-day technology to present theory learnt in class. I also formulate transparent rubrics and criteria for students to know exactly how to excel in my course. To see effective in my strategies, my teaching is evidence-driven, guided by performance data, feedback, and learning analytics. I often conduct mid-semester check-ins with my students, which allow for real-time adjustments to pace and delivery without compromising academic rigour. I believe every student should have multiple pathways to success, although the destination—which is mastery of the intended learning outcomes—remains constant.

In terms of research, my current study was inspired by the concerns around the Mother Tongue Based Bilingual Education (MTBBE)and assessments that were expressed in newspaper outlets and social media platforms, with many using the blind spots of MTBBE to undermine the entire implementation process and justify prejudices against African languages. My study goes beyond public commentary, engaging directly with those affected—teachers, MTBBE stakeholders, and learners—to interrogate their experiences and link their concerns to the realities of implementation. Of this study, I collaborated with colleaugues raising an important question: Can flexible, mixed-language approaches be reconciled with the goals of fair, high-stakes testing? The paper looks at whether the use of hybrid registers aids comprehension or creates new barriers in the Eastern Cape. Another research that looks at the preparation of teachers in Grade 12 for the implementation of multilingual assessments is under review at a Taylor and Francis (DHET-accredited). I have studies on the pipeline as mentioned in my resume and research statements, but it is worth noting that I have attended several workshops on academic writing, publishing in accredited journals, and book chapters, even attended Springer Nature’s Author series.

For more information, opportunities and collaborations contact me: [email protected]