The ISEA is a research institute within Rhodes University, established with a mission to engage critically with the role of English in Africa. Its early focus was to investigate the complexities surrounding English as a mother tongue, an official language, and a second language, examining how it is spoken, written, taught, and understood across diverse linguistic communities. The Institute was created not only to analyse the shortcomings of prevailing language practices but also to develop practical solutions that could inform teaching and learning across multilingual contexts.

From its inception, ISEA has been committed to supporting research, training postgraduate students and in-service educators, and building networks of knowledge exchange. It was envisioned as a space where scholarship would meet practice, addressing real educational needs through sustained inquiry and innovation.

Today, ISEA continues to fulfil the vision of its founders by leading large-scale research and implementation projects in language and literacy education, publishing two of South Africa’s leading journals, New Coin and English in Africa, and serving as a dynamic research hub for scholars working in the fields of multilingual education, African language intellectualisation, and English literary studies. The Institute remains deeply committed to advancing language justice, educational transformation, and inclusive pedagogies on the continent.

Last Modified: Sat, 24 May 2025 20:51:38 SAST