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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Arts in Teaching French as a Foreign Language 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97386  Master of Arts in Teaching French as a Foreign Language 
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 05 - Education, Training and Development  Higher Education and Training 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to produce skilled French language experts in the country who will also assist in training educators, research, curriculum design and provide advice in promoting French as a foreign language in an African context. A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Contribute to the curriculum design and management.
  • Contribute to the knowledge and construction of the syllabus.
  • Integrate ICT in teaching and learning activities.

    Rationale:
    The Master of Arts in Teaching French as a Foreign Language qualification is designed to provide learners with knowledge, skills and expertise to teach French as a foreign language. Learners will be able to work as trainers of educators, researchers, curriculum designers, course directors and advisors in the promotion of learning French language within South Africa. This qualification will also be offered in a distance mode to allow learners from all parts of the country to enrol. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The University's official Policy for the Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be rigorously followed. Applicants who do not meet the admission criteria as stipulated, but who can demonstrate experiential or work-based learning at an equivalent level may be considered for RPL provided a proper assessment of the prior learning has been conducted. The process will be implemented in strict adherence to the relevant University RPL Policy.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is either:
  • An Honours Degree at NQF Level 8 in Teaching French as a Foreign Language or equivalent. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 192 Credits.
    Modules:
  • Minor Dissertation, 96 Credits.
  • French for Special Purposes, 24 Credits.
  • The French Speaking World, 24 Credits.
  • Training Conception and Management, 24 Credits.
  • Language Teaching and Technologies, 24 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Contribute to the curriculum design and management in french teaching.
    2. Contribute to the knowledge and construction of syllabus in french teaching.
    3. Integrate ICT in teaching and learning activities. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Teaching material relevant to the working and studying contexts of a group of learners is collected.
  • Group of potential French learners in the society are identified and their needs are analysed in terms of learning French.
  • A training programme is developed using research methodology and procedures.
  • The actual profile of the specific group of learners is identified.
  • Problem solving is undertaken and the curriculum is developed with evaluations implemented in order to train teachers.
  • Quality control procedures are implemented in order to assess curriculum developed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Language and learning needs of a specific group are analysed by conducting interviews.
  • Research is undertaken.
  • Higher level core modules and research projects are designed to train comparative, critical thinkers and contribute to shared knowledge construction in the African context.
  • The syllabus is designed based on learning needs as well as several teaching activities and evaluations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • ICT is utilised as a mode of instruction and engagement between academic staff and learners.
  • Cross-cultural communication is ensured and enhanced through the use of ICT tools.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Minimum standards of different modes of delivery of the qualification have appropriate policies and procedures for internal assessment; internal and external moderation; monitoring of learner progress; explicitness, validity and reliability of assessment practices; recording of assessment results; settling of disputes; the rigour and security of the assessment system; Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL); and for the development of staff competence in assessment.

    Learners will prepare the self-assessed activities in their workbook based on their course reader. These activities will allow them to participate in tutorials on Vula with their tutor and fellow learners. Tutorials occur on a frequent basis (between 4 and 12 times per core module) and learners will receive feedback via the platform or email. Participation and performance during tutorials count for 20% of the course mark.

    Learners receive evaluations via the platform after a series of activities and tutorials. Between 4 and 8 evaluations per module are given and these are weighted to constitute the remainder of the mark. The final evaluation for each core module is a project which incorporates all aspects covered. Participation and performance during tutorials will count for 20% of the course mark. Learners receive evaluations via the platform after a series of activities and tutorials. Between 4 and 8 evaluations per module are given and these are weighted to constitute the remainder of the mark. The final evaluation is a project and incorporates all aspects covered during the course. Detailed feedback is given to learners on all tutorials and evaluations for each module. There are no examinations. Evaluation is by means of continuous assessment. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    New York University:
    The New York University in the United States of America offers the Master of Arts qualification in Teaching French as a Foreign Language. Learners are offered the opportunity to immerse themselves in the French language and culture as means of improving and refining their language skills and socio-cultural expertise. Areas of specialisation include language instruction, grammar, phonetics, French literature and Pedagogy. This qualification covers general pedagogical issues as well as knowledge critical to foreign language teaching and learning, and teaching English as a second language. These includes, inquiries in teaching and learning, adolescent development, teaching learners with special needs, and content-based pedagogical courses including intercultural perspectives, methods and techniques of communicative teaching, language through content, language assessment, and second language acquisition and research.

    Hellenic Open University:
    The Hellenic Open University in Greece offers a Masters qualification in Teaching French as a Foreign Language. This qualification caters for learners who want to acquire specialised knowledge to "Teach French as a Foreign Language" within a scientific framework and according to the demands of the modern local and international labour market. This qualification is offered through distance learning mode. The qualification focuses and concentrates on utilising the mental and emotional capacities of the learner during the teaching/learning practice throughout the modules. Special emphasis is placed on the dialectic relationship between theory and practice by means of examples, case studies, self-assessment questions, also by continuously deriving from the tutor's teaching experience.

    Conclusion:
    This qualification compares favourably with both qualifications offered by New York University and the Hellenic Open University. All qualifications have been developed within an important scientific framework which includes research and case studies. The main focus of them is to translate theory into practice. Learners are offered skill and expertise to design curriculum and syllabus which gives them opportunity to design learning outcomes which positively influence in meeting demands of the labour market. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification enables possibilities of both horizontal and vertical articulation.
    Horizontal:
  • Master of Arts in French Literature, at NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Philosophy in French: Research, at NQF Level 9.

    Vertical:
  • Doctor of Literature and Philosophy in French, at NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in French, at NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. University of Cape Town 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.