In the Language Centre, you have a hub of language experts at your service as a lecturer. Let’s connect to create exceptional online learning experiences for our students.
We’re just a click away.
Editing and translation
Use our Language Service to edit and translate any lecture material – for example, your lecture slides, SUNLearn content, lecture notes or instructions to students – as well as tests and exam papers. We can also help with information design: presenting the information in your documents to the best possible effect for your students, which could include improving layout and readability. We translate into 15 languages, including isiXhosa.
Contact Marguerite van der Waal
Transcriptions
We can also transcribe audio recordings of any kind of proceedings expediently and accurately. For example, you can get a professional transcription of your research interviews so that you can get on with the research itself.
Contact Marguerite van der Waal
Did you know?
Your faculty has language implementation funding for language services, whether that is editing, translation or interpreting – you just need to apply for it.
Speak to you faculty manager about funding.
Interpreting
Real-time online interpreting
When online lecturing became more prevalent in 2020, our team of experienced educational interpreters developed a new way of delivering simultaneous interpreting in virtual classrooms. By means of online platforms like MS Teams, students can gain access to live lectures in Afrikaans, isiXhosa and South African Sign Language, while the original lecture is presented in English. Multilingual recordings of these sessions can also be made available afterwards on the SUNLearn platform. Let’s discuss the possibilities for your lectures!
Contact Juanli Theron
Lecture podcast translation
If a recording is made in a module that is not interpreted in real time, we can audio translate your lecture podcasts. Audio translations of recorded lectures can be created in either Afrikaans or English, depending on the language of learning and teaching, and sometimes in isiXhosa. We can also do subtitling for lecturers by processing video clips to add subtitles and/or translated text to make them multilingual.
Contact Christine Joubert
Conference interpreting
We can interpret online conference sessions in real time very successfully, so do consider us if you’re hosting an online meeting, conference or webinar and need interpreting.
Contact Nanette Nortje
Writing support
Writing consultations
Your students can discuss their own writing with a trained consultant through the Writing Lab for free. You’re also welcome to do so. Make an appointment on our online booking system for an online writing consultation via MS Teams (a Teams meeting request will be sent after the appointment has been made), or e-mail us for an appointment.
Contact Anne-Mari Lackay | Vinelene Hartley | Rose Richards
Writing workshops for postgraduates
Your postgraduate students can attend an online Writing Lab workshop to help them write their research proposal, literature review, thesis or journal article. If you are busy with your own studies, you can join as well! You could even form a writing support group through the Writing Lab. Contact us for our list of scheduled workshops.
Contact Selene Delport
Reading consultations and workshops
This online service helps students to read more strategically and competently. Our Reading Lab offers a visual and cognitive processing program to optimise students’ reading. We could also offer a tailored online reading workshops to your class. Please contact us for an assessment if a student requests extra reading time for an exam.
Contact Marisca Coetzee
Terminology
Try our trilingual terminology portal for subject terminology in Afrikaans, English and isiXhosa – click here.
English courses
- Online English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Programme: If you or your students wish to improve your academic English, you can enrol for this blended learning programme, which offers a choice of either or both EAP modules: Reading & Writing, and Speaking & Language. The EAP programme, funded through the University, is aimed at extended degree programme (EDP) students in particular, but is also open to other SU students and staff.
- Online Intensive English Programme (IEP): Students who need to improve their functional English language proficiency can enrol for the IEP to develop their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. We assess students’ proficiency level online using a valid, recognised test before placing them in a class that best suits their needs. Teaching is interactive and fun, and classes are small for optimal language learning. Please contact us for course fees and dates.
- Blended learning TEFL course: Anyone wishing to teach English as a foreign language (TEFL) in future can do a course with us to qualify. You might even want to enrol for the course to spruce up your teaching methods! Please contact us for course fees and dates.
- IELTS preparation course: Anyone wanting to study or work abroad in future can sign up for this course for developing the strategies to write the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam. Please contact us for course fees and dates.
For all English courses, contact iep@sun.ac.za.
Afrikaans and isiXhosa courses
Learn Afrikaans or isiXhosa and deepen your connection with people. We now offer Afrikaans for Beginners semester courses online via SUNLearn (for registered international students) and via SUNOnline (for members of the public and staff). For social language skills, try tandem learning with a buddy, survival sessions or group learning through our Language Learning Hub.
Afrikaans courses: Vernita Beukes
isiXhosa courses: Stembele Johnson
Language Learning Hub: Helga Sykstus
General enquiries: Jeanene Olivier
Academic literacies and professional communication modules
These credit-bearing modules embedded within faculties aim to equip students for strategic communication – in an academic setting and in their occupation and industry. The focus is on professional, business and scientific communication, writing skills and skills for academic discourse.
Our course coordinators support students via SUNLearn and other online tools to ensure that the relevant academic outcomes are reached.
Contact Jeanene Olivier
This post is also available in: English
