Michael Le Cordeur

Michael le Cordeur, who chairs the Department of Curriculum Studies, is a full professor, NRF-rated researcher, a former language teacher, high school principal and circuit manager of education. His research deals with learners' reading skills, language policies and language in education. He holds a doctorate from Stellenbosch University and qualifications from the universities of the Western Cape and South Africa and Stellenbosch's Graduate School of Business. He is the author, co-author or editor of various books, book chapters and refereed articles and has presented numerous papers nationally and internationally. He has successfully supervised various doctoral and master's students. As a regular columnist he has published 270 opinion pieces and was twice rewarded with the university's Media Award of Excellence. He has served the community in various positions: as the chair of the Western Cape Language Committee he co-authored the Western Cape Language Policy. Currently he serves on the board of directors of the Stigting vir Bemagtiging vir Afrikaans, and is a member of the Internationale Centrum voor het Afrikaans at Ghent University and the International Association for Research in Language Education. Le Cordeur is the recipient of the Elisabeth Steijn medal from the South African Academy, five Rector Awards and Stellenbosch University's Chancellor's Award.