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Goals and deliverables (11 May 2006)
The goals that the Language Task Group needs to achieve
are described in the document Background,
structures and brief. According to this document, the
Language Task Group is required to deliver the following:
• A revised Language Policy (should this prove to
be necessary)
• An implementation plan
• A monitoring plan
• Suggestions for assessment and research
• A measuring instrument for language presence
• Suggestions for the promotion of Afrikaans (Vision 2012, Point 5)
• A communication plan
• A budget
Leon de Stadler
Project Leader
Project plan: the time scales (11 May
2006)
The Language Task Group works according to an approved project
plan. Some of the most important dates in the project plan are mentioned
briefly:
• A revised language policy will be implemented in
2008.
• The first round of consultation ends in mid-May.
• A conceptual framework for a revised language policy has to be submitted
in June. The Language Task Group is currently busy with this process.
• The values and points of departure of the Language Task Group (see document)
were finalised by the end of March and circulated within the Reference Group
for comment.
• A second round of consultation will be held until the end of July.
• The revised language policy in its final form will be submitted to Senate
on 13 October and then to Council on 13 November.
Leon de Stadler
Project Leader
Consultation/Deliberation (11 May 2006)
The Language Task Group is nearing the end of the first round of consultation
or deliberation, which includes suggestions from the general public.
Thus far, the number of submissions received or discussions held amounts
to approximately 45.
As can be expected, these submissions cover the entire spectrum
of sentiments regarding the Language Policy – from
supporters of a stricter Afrikaans policy with stringent
limitations on non-speakers of Afrikaans, to lobbyists for
anglicisation.
The Task Group is currently studying these submissions.
The Task Group remains in constant dialogue with bodies
like the Rector’s Management Team, the Executive Committee
of Senate and the Senate itself.
Leon de Stadler
Project Leader
Scholarship of the process of policy formulation (11
May 2006)
In the media, the University is often accused of not being scientific
in the process of policy formulation. The Language Task Group tries
to ensure that the process holds up to scientific scrutiny by various
means:
• The Language Task Group is continuously busy with
its own critical examination and evaluation.
• The Task Group consults various advisers, including ones outside the
University.
• The Task Group also initiates investigations. Two such investigations
are currently in progress: one into attitudes toward the current language policy
(a partial replication of a previous investigation by Dr Brenda Leibowitz and
her team), and another into “best practice” in a multilingual classroom.
• The Task Group makes accountable use of strategic information received
from the Institutional Planning Division.
Leon de Stadler
Project Leader
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