Bachelor of Arts Honours in African Languages

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with.

• research skills
• theoretical and intellectual knowledge
• problem solving skills
• academic communicative skills
• evaluative skills
• skills to formulate clearly both orally and in writing.

Practice-orientated competency

As regards practice this qualification provides

• Outcomes that enable the learner to have a holistic and reflexive approach regarding the principles and methodology of the teaching practice.
• Outcomes that prepare the learner for an advanced career in the teaching profession or the field of a language practitioner.
• Outcomes that will enable the learner to learn further in this field.
• Outcomes that are relevant to a wide variety of professions in order to handle a large number of problems (the emphasis on language competencies also attributes to versatility in practice).

Benefits to the learners

This qualification adds significant value to the qualifying learner in terms of

• The development of a positive scientific attitude.
• The development of a sensitivity to linguistic communication.
• The development of a consciousness in terms of language problems in the community and the development of competencies to solve these problems.
• A market relatedness for multidimensional structures in a developing society that is characterised by diversity.
• Accessibility to further training and study possibilities.
• Relevant competencies in the teaching practice or occupation where language proficiency and advanced knowledge of language is essential.

The competencies of this programme entail equipping the learner to develop his/her

• Research skills
• Theoretical and intellectual knowledge
• Problem solving skills
• Academic communicative skills
• Evaluative skills
• Formulating ability in both oral and written form

An undergraduate degree, level 6 (with minimum of 416 credits) with an African (Bantu) language as a major, is a prerequisite.

Recognition of prior learning

A prospective learner who does not meet the general requirements for admission to this programme may apply for admission in terms of the general principles and procedures pertaining to the recognition of prior learning at RAU. The procedures pertaining to RPL entail the following:

• The Dean of the Faculty of Arts co-ordinates the application for RPL.
• Applications must be forwarded in writing.
• A specific amount is payable for the assessment of the application.
• The application is assessed according to criteria determined by the Board of Faculty of the Faculty of Arts and includes the following:
• The RPL Faculty committee assesses the application under the chairmanship of the Dean in accordance with RAU's policy document on RPL.
• Relevant subject experts are co-opted onto the committee
• Successful applicants will gain access to, or receive status recognition for a particular programme.
• The committee will assess learners' competencies in order to determine whether they are eligible for a) access to, b) advanced placement in, or c) recognition of status for this qualification.

The learner should be able to.

1. Identify, analyse and reflect on linguistic and literary problems utilising appropriate general and language specific theoretical frameworks of the sub-discipline;
2. Work as members of a group to solve particular problems and develop certain problem solving strategies within the discipline.
3. Manage time and resources effectively.
4. Achieve sustained personal, academic, occupational and professional growth through continuous study and research in the fields of linguistics and literature as well as be able to organise, analyse and evaluate critically using the relevant methodologies available in these disciplines.
5. Communicate effectively (orally and in writing) in compliance with the requirements of the individual modules.
6. Be technologically competent with regard to the technological requirements of each sub-discipline and develop a responsibility regarding the environment in which they function.
7. Develop a broad vision regarding the relevance of the acquired knowledge.
8. Master a variety of learning strategies that are applicable to the particular sub-field of study.
9. Develop a responsibility to the community in the sense that reflexive problem-solving strategies can be devised and applied within the community.
10. Be sensitive to the composition of the broader community and the aesthetic wealth that is connected thereto by demonstrating sensitivity to linguistic, literary and cultural diversity.
11. Identify and explore occupational employment opportunities and utilise entrepreneurial skills.
12. Develop competencies that will enable them to be innovative within a society.

The learner can/Does the learner.

1. Demonstrate his/her ability to identify, analyse, and reflect on linguistic and literary problems employing the appropriate theories and frameworks.
2. Demonstrate his/her communication skills by convincing and persuading his/her peers/lecturers, of his/her particular point of view, taking other people's convictions into consideration. Group projects and assignments will form part of the formative assessment.
3. Demonstrate his/her ability to adhere to schedules in terms of submission dates and class attendance and furthermore find and utilise sources correctly when doing assignments and preparations.
4. Demonstrate his/her ability to collect and analyse data appropriately and write a scientific report evaluating and synthesising various approaches/theories.
5. Demonstrate his/her ability to use communicative skills that apply to the particular context.
6. Demonstrate his/her ability to utilise the available technology and strategies based on theoretical foundations and show sensitivity towards the environment and the health of others.
7. Demonstrate his/her ability to link the acquired knowledge to other spheres of life.
8. Demonstrate his/her ability to explore different learning strategies which are strongly associated with different personality traits such as divergence, assimilation, convergence and accommodation.
9. Demonstrate his/her ability to be responsible towards society and implement problem-solving strategies in addressing societal problems.
10. Demonstrate his/her sensitivity towards the diversity in the community by interacting responsibly, ethically and supportively.
11. Demonstrate his/her ability to explore employment and entrepreneurial opportunities that may present themselves in his/her career.
12. Demonstrate his/her ability to be innovative and creative in terms of the application of the acquired cognitive and practical skills.

Formative assessment practices that will be implemented

Learners will be assessed via class tests, assignments, group projects.

Summative assessment practices that will be implemented

Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievement of he exit-level outcomes, will be done by means of written examinations.