Advanced Diploma in Language Practice
Communication Studies and Language - Language
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
The Advanced Diploma in Language Practice aims to empower the contemporary South African community with professionals equipped with the requisite educational background and practical expertise to contribute meaningfully to the socioeconomic and political growth of the country. Qualifying learners are expected to display advanced skills in taking informed professional independent decisions in situations, which will warrant such action. They will, furthermore, have advanced knowledge of a range of methods of enquiry in the field, discipline, or practice, and understand their suitability to specific areas of investigation cognisant of the need fully to understand South Africa's multilingual contexts and diverse cultural milieu in order to contribute towards social cohesion and nation building. The development and promotion of African Languages is a national imperative. Cognisant of the importance of developing and promoting previously marginalised African languages to become media of communication, instruction, and learning, the qualification will offer various pathways that involve a specialisation in English and either of Afrikaans, IsiZulu, Northern Sotho, Setswana, Tshivenda, or Xitsonga. Learners who choose any of the foregoing languages for further study will focus on a comprehensive study of the following: Language Translation, Editing, Sociolinguistics, Psycholinguistics, Discourse Analysis, Literature, Research Methods and Techniques all of which are important components and essential tools in the area of Language Practice in particular. The role of language translation, document design, copywriting, text editing, terminology, lexicography, language management and language technology has become central to language development and promotion. These focus areas of language study seek to focus learners on an advanced study of these various aspects of language practice, especially within the context of the development, advancement and promotion of previously marginalised South African languages in domains such as courts, banks, government and private sector institutions. The focus areas further open up new vistas for learners to actively engage with tools and theories essential for a functional application in a quest to develop and promote previously marginalised languages, within the South African context. The Advanced Diploma in Language Practice qualification is expected to vertically articulate into the Postgraduate Diploma in Language Practice.
Rationale:
Given the considerable multilingual and multicultural context of South Africa; the importance of language and its use therein, especially for professional purposes, it is imperative that specialized human resources to cope with national needs and wants in these areas be developed. Some of the more specific areas of need are: language learning, translation, interpreting and editing (theory and practical), communication, copyrighting, branding, mass media and academic research. Learners have the opportunity to choose two electives from the possible four electives. These electives are Terminological Development, English for Specific Purposes, Multilingualism, and African Literatures in English. The communication component of the qualification prepares learners to communicate effectively in any organization/company/department/institution. The qualification will further prepare learners to apply skills and knowledge they may have gained in their different realities in the labor market while the introduction of the research component empowers learners with analytical skills needed in any work environment, but also serves as a foundational phase for Postgraduate studies. It is expected to vertically articulate into the Postgraduate Diploma in Language Practice for learners from universities of technologies. This qualification further combines theory and intensive practice in its offerings by giving learners opportunities to put into practice the theory which they learnt before they exit, e.g. practical translation, interpreting, and editing. Typically, qualifying learners should benefit society by providing professional services such as translating, proofreading, and editing of documents from the source language to target languages. In addition, the qualification offers specialized training needed for the training of interpreters and translators in a multilingual and culturally diverse environment. In its inaugural meeting in 2013, the Department of Applied Languages' Academic Advisory Committee comprising various stakeholders in the language practice industry supported the development of such a qualification also cognizant of the South African Language Practitioners' Council Act 08 of 2014.
Outcomes
- Demonstrate advanced detailed knowledge of various aspects related to linguistics and language in general. These include the exploration of theories related to literature, sociolinguistics, language and business and language development and translation.
- Evaluate, select and apply appropriate methods, procedures or techniques by using advanced knowledge of Language theory within the Language related environment.
- Critically identify, analyse, solve and critically reflect on complex language related problems, gathering data using language related theory and practice, methods and techniques and determine findings and make recommendations based on evidence gathered by following procedures appropriate to a language related field.
- Interpret the ethical and legislative implications and apply decisions and actions affecting the Language Practice profession, by using knowledge obtained from different acts inferred in Jurisprudence.
- Analytically evaluate and interpret different sources of information in the field of Language Practice and ethically select information appropriate to the task, by applying or originating well-developed language related ethical practices such as those outlined in the various forms of equivalence.
- Reliably and coherently present and communicate appropriate academic and professional information using appropriate technologies for the presentation language related conventions.
- Make decisions and act appropriately in familiar and new contexts, demonstrating an understanding of the relationships between systems, and of how actions, ideas or developments in one system impact on other systems by using knowledge gained in Jurisprudence, Business Practice and Research.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Engage with various texts to apply detailed knowledge and appreciation of African literatures and major trends in literary theory and criticism.
- Explain skills associated with terminological compilation and standardisation in relation to status and corpus planning.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Apply techniques, processes, systems, or technologies in an original, creative, and innovative way within the language-related field.
- Transfer skills appropriately to specialized and complex contexts.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Apply specialist knowledge and theory in creatively addressing complex practical and theoretical problems within a language-related field.
- Demonstrate competence in all applications of knowledge and theory.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Apply professional conduct, behavior, and attitudes in all academic settings.
- Demonstrate an ethically sound understanding of the link between language practices like translation and ideology.
- Investigate ethical consequences of language-related endeavors through the study of various texts.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Evaluate types of knowledge relevant to the field of Language Practice.
- Develop and apply appropriate processes for gathering information.
- Validate sources of information independently.
- Communicate own ideas and opinions effectively in well-formed arguments.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Use appropriate visual and language skills in all oral and written communication.
- Communicate complex problem solving reliably and coherently using academic and professional conventions.
- Display team communication and interpersonal skills in multidisciplinary team settings.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Take responsibility for own work decisions and resource use.
- Identify and address tasks and specific needs appropriately.
- Demonstrate full responsibility for own work and decision making.
Integrated Assessment:
- Ensure that all modules and intended learning outcomes align with the Exit Level Outcomes (ELO's).
- Align teaching and learning strategies with the outcomes to inform content depth and scope.
- Apply instructional methodologies that align with outcomes and assessment criteria.
- Use theoretical approaches such as tests and examinations for summative assessment and assignments for formative assessment.
Practical Approach to Assessment:
- Assess knowledge, skills, and competencies using practical reports, tests, and skills evaluations.
- Design integrated assessments to align with academic qualifications and ensure coherence in learning and assessment.
- Collect evidence from various sources such as portfolios and practical work for assessment purposes.
By following these assessment criteria and approaches, students will be able to demonstrate their understanding and application of language-related concepts effectively.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Advanced Diploma
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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