METHODOLOGY

The objective of this study was to determine the problems experienced by learners in a multicultural learning environment. The questionnaire administered focused on achieving this objective and included questions on: problems experienced in the education of culturally diverse learners, the accommodation of different cultural orientations, issues of language diversity and non-verbal behavior. Two hundred questionnaires were administered to first, second and third year Public Relations, Marketing and Sports Management learners at the Durban University of Technology. As some participants did not follow the instructions or did not complete the questionnaire adequately, only the data from one hundred and sixty two participants were analyzed.

The Durban University of Technology is a higher education institution with a myriad of cultures and many race groups. At the time of writing, there were 15 812 African, 3 834 Indian, 1 140 White, 329 Colored and 47 learners of Eastern origin (Chinese and Japanese). The Indian and African race groups are further sub-divided into various ethnic groups, eg. amongst the African culture, the Zulus and Xhosas are the two dominant groups that exist in the Kwazulu Natal area, but learners from other African cultures also attend the DUT. The Indian culture is sub-divided into four categories, namely, Tamil speaking, Telegu speaking, Hindi speaking and Gujarati speaking individuals (Pratap Kumar 2000).