The Language Centre’s Director’s Office, Reading Lab, Writing Lab, Communication Lab, Language Learning Hub and Language Service kicked off 2018 in a new space in Stellenbosch.
For logistical reasons, the Legal Aid Clinic of the University wanted to be closer to the Faculty of Law, situated in the Old Main Building (Ou Hoofgebou). They approached the Language Centre to switch buildings – swopping the Kleine Bosch building in Banhoek Road that served as Legal Aid Clinic up to then for the Language Centre’s offices in Crozier Street, opposite the Old Main Building. The switch did bring with it a few of its own logistical challenges, but by now everyone has settled in nicely in their new surroundings: The Language Centre in 44 Banhoek Road, opposite the Faculty of Engineering and next to the Africa Centre for HIV/Aids Management, and the Legal Aid Clinic in 18 to 24 Crozier Street.
Since more parts of the Language Centre are housed under one long roof now, there are more opportunities for exchanging ideas. The Reading Lab benefits from more office space for the good work it is doing, and the companionable yet productive buzz from the Writing Lab’s communal area where writing consultations take place can only add momentum to any writing. The Writing Lab and Communication Lab have already harnessed the modern seminar room for successful short courses and workshops. The Language Learning Hub has also gained its own space – their plans include establishing support for students to self-learn basic Afrikaans or isiXhosa. And the Language Service has vacated their quaint building in Skuilhoek, complete with loft office, outside staircase, oak tree and squirrels, to work together in the western wing of the building.
The Kleine Bosch Building was initially built as Methodist Centenary School, the corner stone of which dating back to 1937. In the 1980s it served as the Kleine Bosch nursery school, later as the Legal Aid Clinic and now it has presented itself as stronghold of the Language Centre.
The Language Centre’s new address is 44 Banhoek Road
