According to the letter, university management’s point of departure is to ensure that language implementation does not form a barrier to access and learning opportunities at the institution. He, however, also states clearly that Afrikaans at the University would “not be diluted and that the language specifications approved for 2016 would be applicable”.
In his reaction to comments in email messages, on social media and in the traditional media, De Villiers believes the university’s position needs to be clarified.
Below, we publish the full statement for you to make up your own mind:
A clear distinction should be made between a) language implementation and b) changes to the Language Policy of the University.
a) Language implementation:
• Language implementation from 2016 onwards will still ensure that students are able to study in English and Afrikaans at Stellenbosch University.
• Whilst teaching in Afrikaans is continued, mechanisms are implemented to ensure that students who do not understand Afrikaans are not excluded from the teaching offering.
• This will be achieved by teaching more of the modules with large enrolments in the parallel medium mode and by enhancing teaching in the smaller class groups.
• Accelerating the implementation of parallel medium teaching therefore increases the use of both Afrikaans and English as languages of teaching and learning.
• For the smaller class groups all concepts must be explained in at least English, with learning strengthened by emphasizing key concepts in Afrikaans as well. This increases the use of English, without diminishing the status of Afrikaans as a language of instruction.
• From an inclusivity imperative the above multilingual implementation ensures that students can derive the full benefit of the academic offering.
b) Language Policy and Plan:
• The statement by our Management Team of 12 November indicates our support for mechanisms that improve the learning experience for all our students. It is not a policy document.
• The SU Language Policy and Language Plan can be reviewed to reflect the university’s commitment to equitable access for all students and the pedagogic arguments for using both English and Afrikaans to achieve this objective.
• The Statute of the University determines that only Council can change the Language Policy after a process of consultation and with concurrence of Senate. The fact that changes to the Language Policy is a more involved process does not mean that the implementation measures described above cannot proceed.
• The motion accepted by the Executive Committee of the University Council on 15 November 2015, reaffirms the status of the Management statement as a discussion document; it also confirms the statutory process needed to affect changes to the Language Policy; and it confirms that the approved language specifications will be applicable in 2016.
• It is also not accurate that we as Management Team have retracted our statement of 12 November. We remain committed to increasing the academic offering in Afrikaans and English, and ensuring effective internal communication without exclusion of stakeholders.
• We remain fully committed to follow due process for changes to the current Language Policy and the Language Plan.
