As a Department, we are committed to teaching and research of a high quality in a wide range of both formal and applied areas of language study, with a specific focus on issues that are relevant to the linguistic landscape of South Africa. We look forward to introducing you to material which we are certain will prove to be intellectually stimulating and enriching.
The Department is home to two distinct subjects at undergraduate level, namely General Linguistics and Applied English Language Studies. In addition, the Department teaches a third-year Meta Science module at Faculty level.
The Department offers two postgraduate programmes in General Linguistics: (i) an Honours in General Linguistics, and (ii) an MA in General Linguistics; two postgraduate programmes in which the phenomenon of second languages is studied from various disciplinary perspectives: (i) a Postgraduate diploma (PGDip) in Second Language Studies, and (ii) an MA in Second Language Studies; and two postgraduate programmes in which the phenomenon of intercultural communication is studied from a range of disciplinary perspectives, the only ones of their kind in South Africa: (i) a Postgraduate diploma (PGDip) in Intercultural Communication, and (ii) an MA in Intercultural Communication.
Since their inception, large numbers of people from everywhere in South Africa and abroad have benefited intellectually and professionally from the content of these postgraduate programmes. The content is continually revised to keep up with new research findings and insights, the changing needs of students, and the requirements of various language professions. A number of factors ensure that a high standard is maintained –
- Individual supervision: Every student receives intensive personal supervision.
- Experienced lecturers: The staff has gained a wealth of experience in their supervision of hundreds of postgraduate students since their inception.
- High calibre students: Because of its excellent reputation, the programme attracts students who set high standards.
- An internationally well-established department: The Department is highly regarded internationally and is involved in several research and exchange projects with foreign tertiary institutions, including universities in England, Germany and The Netherlands. Staff members also regularly attend and deliver papers at local and international conferences. The Department’s two journals, SPiL and SPiL Plus, are both accredited with the National Department of Education and publish contributions by leading local and overseas scholars. Since 2011 these journals are also available online. Books and monographs by staff members have also been published by respected international publishing houses.
- External evaluation: The content, organisation, requirements and other aspects of the programmes are subjected to peer evaluation on a regular basis.
- Evaluation by students: On completing their studies, students are asked for a critical review of all aspects of the particular programme. The Department takes their comments and suggestions very seriously
