As more importance is placed on the teaching and learning of South African and international languages in South Africa, language teachers and trainers are finding themselves under increasing pressure to provide effective learning environments and language teaching. There are limited short courses available for language teachers and trainers in South Africa which specialise in the pedagogy of South African and international languages and provide support and professional development opportunities for practising teachers.

The Teaching South African and International Languages (TSAIL) course aims to provide teachers and trainers with the knowledge and skills to be an effective in the language classroom and to develop the learning and teaching of languages in South Africa.

To be registered as a trainee on the TSAIL course you need to fulfil all the requirements below:

	Minimum of 18 years of age
	First language proficiency in a South African or International language
	Proficiency in English
	Minimum of a National Senior Certificate (Grade 12)
	A degree is highly recommended

The aim of the TSAIL course is to develop the knowledge and skills required to teach South African and international languages.

On completion of the course, candidates will:

	Have an understanding of the approaches to language learning and teaching
	Be familiar with language teaching contexts, the function and purposes of language teaching and associated concepts
	Understand, identify and respond to the characteristics and needs of language learners
	Have developed an awareness of lexical and grammatical features of certain South African and International languages
	Have developed an awareness of language teaching principles and practice and be able to apply these in their professional practice
	Select, employ and evaluate skills, techniques and strategies required to effectively teach language in lesson planning
	Have applied techniques and skills in teaching language
	Be able to assess and evaluate language learners
	Be familiar with appropriate language learning and teaching resources and materials
	Be able to critically reflect on their teaching practice
	Be familiar with the cultural and socio-linguistic role of South African and International languages locally and worldwide
	Be aware of professional development opportunities

The TSAIL course includes theoretical and practical components. In the input sessions, our trained and experienced language teacher trainers will cover theoretical aspects of the course, such as: language awareness, teaching methodology and the basic principles of the teaching and learning of South African and International languages. The teaching practice component provides trainees with opportunities to plan and present lessons in their language of specialisation and other presentation opportunities. These teaching practice sessions are observed by experienced language teacher trainers who provide constructive feedback and help the trainees to develop their language teaching skills. In addition to the input sessions and teaching practice, trainees attending courses held at Wits Language School are provided with the opportunity to observe real language classes.

The course aims to develop basic practical awareness and skills to equip trainees with the confidence, resources and knowledge that they will need in order to teach as well as to continue their development as teachers. The TSAIL approach involves participatory learning, where trainees are very much involved in the learning and teaching process. Most input sessions will focus on trainees discovering new concepts and information relating to language teaching through discussions, research, activities and presentations. Trainees are required to contribute to their groups by sharing and completing tasks. Trainees will be provided with a course file. There are additional books available for purchase.

The TSAIL course is a 180 notional hour and 100 contact hour course. Full-time and part-time courses are available. The full-time TSAIL course is an intensive three-week course and it is advisable that you have no outside commitments during this period. The part-time course is offered over a period of twelve weeks and classes are held in the evenings and on Saturday mornings.

Assessment is continuous and there is no final exam. Trainees are assessed on their practical teaching as well as a portfolio of written assignments. In addition to the teaching practice and portfolio, marks are awarded for attendance and participation.

On successful completion of the course, trainees will be provided with a Wits Language School certificate of competence in Teaching South African and International Languages. The University of the Witwatersrand regards this as an NQF level 5 qualification. .