Innovation in Language Learning
The role of a language services department in facilitating learning in a multilingual student environment: the case of the University of South Africa (Unisa)
Ilze Holtzhausen de Beer, University of South Africa (South Africa)
Abstract
Unisa as ODL institution within a country with eleven official languages and a student corpus representing this multilingual reality needs to support teaching and learning by facilitating language challenges students face. These challenges are linked to the fact that the majority of students study through their second or third language while instruction is through the medium of English and, to a lesser extend, Afrikaans. This paper concentrates on the role of the language service department in ensuring that study material is presented in accessible language, supported by translations and/or glossary lists in the main languages and that the material used is relevant to the environment in which students find themselves. The language department serves as a filter between the lecturers and the students and takes on the role of surrogate student. The use of machine language to expedite translation requests, the structure and functions, interaction with lecturers and outside language bodies will be explored.
