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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Education Honours in Language Education 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
99605  Bachelor of Education Honours in Language Education 
ORIGINATOR
University of Limpopo 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  Field 05 - Education, Training and Development  Schooling 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  128  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  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 Bachelor of Education Honours in Language Education is designed to prepare teachers for research-based studies. It is intended to consolidate and deepen the knowledge of teachers in Language Education as a part-discipline of education and to enable them to develop research capacity in the methodology and techniques. The qualification, therefore, focuses on a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence which includes designing, executing and reporting research at NQF Level 8.

With the acquired skills, teachers will be able to participate in the design of qualifications and learning programmes aimed at developing learners' language ability by adding new knowledge to the existing field.

Rationale:
The Bachelor of Education Honours in Language Education equips educators with knowledge and skills to teach and assess learners and conduct research in various schools and institutions. The inclusion of all eleven official languages into the curriculum of South African schools means that well-qualified and proficient teachers of African Languages are needed to promote learners' proficiency in the African languages. These teachers of African languages must not only be proficient themselves in the African Languages that they will teach, but must also be up-to-date with the latest methods and techniques in the teaching of those languages. This qualification, therefore, includes African Languages and the research may be done into the teaching of a specific African Language thereby contributing to the body of knowledge about the teaching and learning of African languages. This should result in more effective teaching and learning of African languages and assist learners to meet the demands associated with passing their Home Language.

This qualification, therefore, will give rise to experts in all African Languages who will also be engaged in research to contribute to the body of knowledge in their specific language(s). 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
This qualification may be achieved in part through the recognition of relevant prior learning and experience as per the University RPL policy in general and the school RPL policy in particular, which clearly outlines the structure and processes that must be followed to RPL a student when the need arises. Appropriate assessment tasks and tools are designed to assess individual candidates against the module/course outcomes on a case by case basis, with detailed records maintained.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for Bachelor of Education Honours (Language Education) is:
  • Bachelor of Education, Level 7 (Senior and/or Further Education Training Phase).
    Or
  • General Bachelor's Degree, Level 7 and a recognised professional Senior and/or Further Education Training phase teaching qualification in Language Education. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification comprises compulsory modules and elective modules at NQF Level 8, totalling 128 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 104 Credits:
  • Research Project in Language Education, 32 Credits.
  • Research Approaches in Language Education, 24 Credits.
  • Teaching, Learning and Assessment in Language Education, 24 Credits.
  • Philosophy and Nature of Language Education, 24 Credits.

    Elective Modules (Choose one), 24 Credit:
  • Contemporary Issues in African Language, 24 Credits.
  • Contemporary Issues in English First Additional Language, 24 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Evaluate knowledge of educational matters and issues in Language Education.
    2. Conduct an independent research inquiry in Language Education and report findings in academically appropriate ways.
    3. Design and carry out assessment t strategies in line with current language acquisition theories. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Language Educational situations are appropriately analysed to identify problems.
  • Language Educational problems are solved by using critical and creative thinking to arrive at responsible decisions.
  • Sound theoretical judgements and evaluations are made based on evidence.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Basic research techniques are used to plan, and conduct a research topic.
  • Language Education related information from primary and secondary sources is collected, analysed, organised and critically evaluated.
  • Research results are accurately and reliably communicated by way of written reports and oral presentations.
  • Knowledge of different research approaches in the field of Language Education is appropriately applied.

    Associated Assessment Criteria Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • A variety of assessment methods is employed.
  • The learner's ability and performance are evaluated and assessed and personal learning is reflected upon.
  • Skills are assessed through practical tasks.
  • Learning of individual children, groups and classes is prepared, planned, taught and assessed.
  • Different forms of assessment are identified and applied.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Learning and assessment will be integrated across Exit Level Outcomes within the qualification to ensure a well-structured cohesive qualification. Assessments will be based on formative assessments, which are in place to ensure continuous learning and feedback to candidates. Summative assessments will be used for assessing of the attainment of the Exit Level Outcomes.

    Assessments should assess the candidate's ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, competencies and attitudes that are represented by the Exit-Level Outcomes, either as a whole or as components of the qualification. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    In most other countries the honours qualification is incorporated into the first Degree which has a duration of four years. The four year Degree leads to an entry into a Master's Degree.

    Deakin University in Melbourne offers a Graduate Certificate of Languages Teaching. The qualification develops specialised skills and knowledge for professional practice in teaching. This qualification is designed to provide qualified teachers with grounding in the theory and an understanding of the practice of language teaching. It is meant to assist teachers teaching languages other than English. The qualification develops the ability to critically analyse and reflect on current theories in second language acquisition, languages teaching principles and practice. It also enables teachers to develop an appreciation of the value of cultural and linguistic diversity and its place in languages teaching. It uses knowledge of the socio-cultural contexts of languages teaching to enhance teaching and learning. Although the Bachelor of Education Honours in Language Education focuses on African languages the comparison is similar to Deakin's qualification in terms of purpose and the consideration of different contexts when teaching languages and the fact that it includes teaching and learning practice as well as a research component. .

    The Boston of University in the Unites States of America offers a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Bilingual Education/Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages. This qualification prepares learners to be teachers of a second language at the elementary or middle/high school level. The qualification includes a strong liberal arts component with emphasis on linguistics, culture, and a minor in a foreign language or other appropriate area selected. The qualification also provides learners the opportunity to apply the theoretical concepts learned during their coursework in supervised field placements in elementary, middle, or high school. Learners are also required to complete research as part of their studies.

    In all these countries the Bachelor of Education Honours Degree is meant to improve the quality of teachers. The qualification is meant to deepen teachers' knowledge in the specific field of education and put strong emphasis on basic aspects of research.

    Conclusion:
    Almost all international Bachelor of Education Honours Degrees (including those where the honours component is included in the last year of a four-year degree) are designed to improve the ability of teachers in a specific language and to improve their teaching ability in the language of their choice. A research component is included. The qualifications on that basis compares well with qualifications internationally. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers specific articulation opportunities with the following qualifications offered by the University of Limpopo. They are:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Education Honours (ID 79124), Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Education (ID 79137), Level 9.

    The qualification offers systemic articulation with the following qualifications offered by other institutions, provided the learner meets the minimum entry requirements:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Education Honours, Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Education Honours in Language, Literacies and Literature, Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Applied Language Studies, Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Language Technology, Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Education in Applied Linguistics: Language, Level 9.
  • Master of Education in Applied Language Studies, Level 9.
  • Master of Arts: Education in Applied Language Studies, Level 9.
  • Master of Arts in Applied Language Studies, Level 9. 
    		•

    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 Limpopo 


    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.