About Staffroom Chatter at Stellenbosch University
Presented by Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Education, Staffroom Chatter aims to create the space for critical conversation between academics, experts and students. It exists to paint a clearer picture by analyzing the current South African education system.
Staffroom Chatter - from our eyes to your ears.
In this episode, Dr Elzahn Rinquest sits down with Gabriella von Lieres, a lecturer at PH Weingarten in Germany — a fascinating, warm conversation about language, identity and belonging in education.
Growing up with three languages across three continents, Gabriella brings a unique lens to teaching. In this episode you'll hear:
Why bilingual schools use CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) — and why it's "just really good teaching"
How Germany's three-track school system works — and what the critics say
Why a child's lived experience and home language are cultural capital, not a problem to fix
What it really means to see every learner — and why teachers must give up a little power to let students in
The honest truth about "loving children" vs. the creativity and values that keep teachers going
Whether you're an educator, student teacher, or just curious about how language shapes identity, this episode will change the way you think about the classroom.
11 Aug 2026
Season 6 Episode 1 : Multilingualism In Education
Season 6 opens with a deep dive into multilingualism in education — and why language is so much more than words.
In this episode, we welcome an international panel of experts from the EQuiiP Summer School to unpack what happens in multilingual, multicultural classrooms. Our guests:
Dr Estella Meima (University of Groningen)
Dr Vernita Beukus (Stellenbosch University)
Dr Carole Fuller (University of Groningen)
Dr Ludmila Kalasnikova (University of Chile)
Together they explore:
Why language shapes identity, belonging and social cohesion
The real cognitive benefits of multilingualism (and why "language interference" is an outdated myth)
How the EQuiiP programme is transforming staff development — including UNESCO-backed work at Stellenbosch
What South Africa's multilingual reality means for truly inclusive education
Whether you're an educator, student, or just curious about how language shapes the way we think and connect, this is the episode to start your season with.
4 Dec 2025
S5 E4: An interview with a special needs educator Ms Jasmin Joy Meyer.
In this powerful episode, the host interviews Ms. Jasmin Joy Meyer, a dedicated special needs educator who exemplifies what it means to be an agent of change. With passion and perseverance, she integrates technology into her classroom to open new possibilities for her learners, champions special needs sports to build confidence and community, and pours her heart and soul into creating inclusive spaces where every student can thrive.
Listeners will be inspired by Ms. Meyer’s story of innovation, compassion, and commitment — a reminder that true change begins with those who choose to invest deeply in others.
Reach and audience
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4.4 / 5
8 ratings
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