Abstract
D.Litt. et Phil.
Technikon SA, situated in Florida, is the largest technikon in South Africa with an
enrolment figure of more than 80 000 for 1995. As a technikon it is committed to the
principle of cooperative education and it presents a large number of Diplomas and Higher Diplomas designed and developed for specific career paths. The South African Police Service is the largest employer using Technikon SA for training purposes. During 1993 the SAPS decided to implement a National Higher Diploma in cooperation with Technikon SA. One of the courses included in the curriculum is a course in African languages for members who do not have working knowledge of such a language.
The SAPS as career path has unique demands and although a syllabus for a generic course in African languages does exist, it would not have suited the specific needs of the client. It was therefore necessary to do an in depth analysis of the needs of members of the SAPS as far as African languages are concerned. After the necessary permission was obtained from both the Council of Technikon SA as well as the Commissioner of Police, a questionnaire was drafted with the aid and input of the subject advisory committee of the Police. This questionnaire was given to research
experts for evaluation and was edited to ensure readability. Finally it was distributed to a
stratified sample of 3000 members. Before the empirical research took place, an extensive literature study was done. Aspects such as language acquisition, language learning, different models of language teaching, and syllabus design were investigated. This was done to ensure that the empirical study would be undertaken within a sound theoretical framework. A number of important conclusions were drawn from the literature study and it led to important guidelines for the planned course. The response to the questionnaires was 67%. It was proven beyond doubt that there is a great need amongst members of the Police Service to have a basic competency in an African Language. It was also indicated that this need is experienced to a greater extent in the work situation than at home. Important preferences-regarding teaching methods came
to the fore and will be included in the design of the course. It was also possible to identify a number of language functions that can be regarded as critically important to a member of the SAPS. The final and very important conclusion was that the need for an African language is not limited to a specific group or rank. More than 95% of the respondents indicated that all the members would benefit by being able to communicate in an African Language. This implies that the present National Diploma should be re-curriculated to facilitate the inclusion of African languages.