Master of Arts in African Languages

The qualification is designed to

• Provide a solid foundation in current research methods, analytical skills capacity for independent research work and identifying the social, and cultural of linguistic problems in society and find solutions to these problems.
• Develop and further inculcate a sense of multilingualism, through comparative research in both language and literature with skills that could be employed in translation and interpreting especially from one South African.
• Apply analytical skills and research methods to specific case studies affecting their communities, the country or continent and humanity at large.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.

In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Arts Honours in African Languages, Level 8.

Or

• Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Language Studies, Level 8.

1. Learners demonstrate the capacity to design, conduct and write dissertations that indicate their ability to identify and solve problems in language education and that have practical application in the social context.
2. Learners demonstrate an understanding of scientific procedures and an ability to cope with research techniques and appropriate technology.
3. Learners demonstrate an understanding of literature related to the research problem.
4. Learners demonstrate the ability to write a dissertation that is linguistically acceptable.
5. Learners demonstrate competence in real methodological and conceptual skills, clarity of expression and development of argument, and sound judgement.

• Write a research proposal that indicate that learners are able to identify a problem or problems in language, and formulate research problems and subsets of problems.
• Formulate hypotheses.
• Select and utilize research instruments that are relevant in the research of problems in language.
• Select and use appropriate data analysis methods to interpret the findings of an investigation.
• Report the findings of the investigation, and formulate recommendations that emanate from the findings.
• Identify and analyse different scientific procedures in terms of the problem being researched.
• Critically read, interpret and analyse literature from different sources.
• Search for literature on the identified research problem.
• Compare the writings of different authors on the same related topic.
• Synthesize reading material on the topic being researched.
• Draw conclusions from different readings and indicate anomalies.
• Create a theoretical framework provided by a literature.
• Compile a complete bibliography.
• Write a dissertation that shows that the learner can express him/herself clearly.
• Write a dissertation that is linguistically correct, acceptable and of a high standard.
• Write a dissertation that is technically well presented and has an acceptable layout.
• Show evidence of real methodological and conceptual skills.
• Show evidence of clarity of exposition and development of argument.
• Show evidence of sound judgement.

Integrated Assessment

This degree is by research. The final product is sent to two external examiners for evaluation.

• Research proposal.
• Dissertation.
• Oral examinations.