Location: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA | Reference: (Ref: CHS/AFRI/MKR/10-2025/BM) | Closing Date: 21 February 2025 |
Job Introduction
The University of South Africa (UNISA) is inviting applications for Independent Contractors (Markers) in the Department of African Languages. This opportunity is open to qualified and experienced professionals who will provide assessment services for UNISA’s African language courses. The appointment is on a yearly basis, aligning with UNISA’s Open Distance e-Learning (ODeL) model and assessment policies. If you have a passion for academia, experience in education, and strong assessment skills, this opportunity is for you.
About UNISA
The University of South Africa (UNISA) is Africa’s largest open distance learning institution, committed to providing accessible education to thousands of students nationwide. The institution is renowned for its innovative learning models, research excellence, and commitment to academic integrity. UNISA’s Department of African Languages plays a vital role in preserving, teaching, and researching indigenous languages, ensuring students receive high-quality linguistic education.
Role Responsibility
The Independent Contractors (Markers) will be responsible for assessing and marking student assessments in compliance with UNISA’s Assessment Policy and Guidelines. The key responsibilities include:
Effective Management of Assessment
- Marking assessment tasks professionally, fairly, and consistently
- Providing constructive feedback to students
- Ensuring adherence to all tuition, assessment, and examination policies
- Maintaining confidentiality and integrity in handling student assessments
- Following all UNISA guidelines regarding assessment and plagiarism
- Meeting deadlines for all allocated assessment tasks
Effective Compliance with UNISA Standards
- Understanding and applying the principles of ODeL
- Ensuring quality assessment that aligns with the university’s curriculum and assessment strategies
- Executing duties as stipulated in the contract and task agreement
- Acting in an ethical and professional manner when handling assessment tasks
Effective Student Engagement and Support
- Providing students with fair and unbiased feedback
- Identifying and addressing common assessment challenges
- Ensuring students have access to assessments aligned with their learning objectives
- Upholding a student-centered approach to marking and feedback
The Ideal Candidate
Skills and Attributes
- Strong knowledge of the discipline applied for
- Experience in assessment and marking procedures
- Ability to provide constructive feedback
- Awareness of academic dishonesty and plagiarism policies
- Strong leadership and teamwork abilities
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening)
- High ethical standards and empathy in assessment processes
- Problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Service-oriented mindset to support lecturers and students
- Ability to manage time effectively and meet deadlines
- Conflict resolution skills with a high level of confidentiality
- Ability to work under pressure with strict adherence to assessment deadlines
Minimum Requirements
To be eligible for this role, applicants must meet the following academic and professional qualifications:
- A relevant qualification equivalent to NQF level 9 or 10 in:
- IsiZulu Home Language
- Xitsonga Home Language
- Sesotho Home Language
- Sesotho sa Leboa or a related field
- At least five years of teaching or relevant educational experience in a TVET College or University setting
Technical Competencies and Recommendations
- Basic knowledge of marking and assessment practices
- Knowledge of plagiarism detection and academic dishonesty policies
- Strong digital literacy skills with proficiency in ICT and online learning environments
- Own desktop computer or laptop with internet connectivity (UNISA does not provide computers or data bundles)
- Familiarity with Learning Management Systems (LMS) like Moodle (an advantage)
- Proficiency in English communication
- Commitment to marking and meeting assessment deadlines
- Ability to work remotely and independently
Why Join UNISA as an Independent Contractor (Marker)?
- Gain valuable experience in higher education assessment
- Work with a prestigious academic institution
- Flexible remote work opportunity
- Contribute to the academic success of students studying African languages
- Be part of a team dedicated to language preservation and education
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their applications, including the required academic qualifications and relevant experience, via the UNISA recruitment portal before the closing date. Ensure all supporting documents are attached to avoid disqualification. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further evaluation.
Take advantage of this unique opportunity to contribute to the academic excellence of African language studies at UNISA. Apply now and be part of a transformative learning experience.
To apply click the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/dUq8PwhcYr, and submit the following documents on the email:
To apply, you need to submit the following:
- An application letter indicating willingness to mark assignments and/or exam scripts for which modules listed below.
- Comprehensive Updated and signed curriculum vitae (most recent).
- Within 6 months certified copies of-
- Identify document/passport
- Highest qualification as per requirement
- SAQA verification of foreign qualifications (if applicable)
- Valid permit (foreign applicants).
- UNISA reserves the right to authenticate all qualifications without any further consent from the applicant
- The contact details of three contactable references must be provided
Unisa is not obliged to fill an advertised position.
Note: The required documents should be submitted as a single file (one PDF) to the email provided below.
Applicants are expected to forward the supporting documents to the attention of chsmarkers@unisa.ac.za
We welcome applications from persons with disabilities.
Assumption of duty: The candidates will have to undergo an interview (either face-to-face or Microsoft Teams) and online Moodle training sessions. Completion of the prescribed training on various aspects of Marking on the Moodle platform is compulsory.
Closing date: 21 February 2025
Applications sent to the incorrect email address will not be considered. Late, incomplete and incorrect applications will not be considered.
Independent Contractor (Marker) positions are available in the modules listed in the Department of African Languages
| MODULE CODE | MODULE NAME | PURPOSE OF MODULE | IsiZulu |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFL1502 | African Languages and Culture in Practice | This module is useful to students who want to develop competencies in interacting successfully in a multi-cultural society. These competencies include the ability to demonstrate their sensitivity to their own language usage and that of others and interact across cultures with knowledge and respect. | 1 |
| AFL1503 | Language and Communication Skills Acquisition in an African Language 1 | The purpose is to provide students with the opportunity to learn the basic language structure and vocabulary of an African language. Students who achieve the outcomes of this course will be able to communicate on an elementary level with speakers of the target language and be equipped with basic reading, listening and comprehension skills. They will also be culturally sensitive to language nuances on an elementary level. | 2 |
| AFL1504 | Language and Communication Skills Acquisition in an African Language 2 | The purpose of this module is to introduce you to some aspects of the literature of the African languages. Not only will you get to know more about African literature, but in the process, you will also be able to extend your knowledge of the grammar of the languages and continue to develop your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. In addition to this, you will gain insight into some matters of cultural interest and increase your understanding of the African language speakers and their way of life. | 1 |
| AFL2601 | Communication Dynamics in African Languages | The module provides students with a broad theoretical knowledge of the origins of African languages; it discusses grammatical structures with specific reference to effective communication in order to encourage awareness of the way languages influence one another. | 1 |
| AFL2602 | Understanding African Management Practices as Reflected in African Languages Literature and Texts | This module is useful to students who need to communicate with people of different cultures. African languages literature and texts are used to illustrate African management practices and to inculcate an appreciation of how societal values are expressed. Students credited with this module can: • Appreciate how African languages literature and texts reflects the people and practices of African society. • Communicate between different South African cultures in work and social contexts. Solve problems according to information found in examples of African languages literature. • Cope with managing diversity in different situations. • Demonstrate linguistic and cultural diversity awareness and sensitivity in order to enhance personal relations in day-to-day situations. | 1 |
| AFL2603 | Literature and Society A Perspective on African Literature | This module will be useful to students who want to develop competencies in interacting successfully in a multicultural society. These competencies include the ability to demonstrate their sensitivity to their own language usage and that of others and interact across cultures with knowledge and respect. | |
| ZUL1505 | Applied African Languages Grammar for Home Language Foundation and Intermediate Phase – IsiZulu | Le mojuli ifundisa ngolimi namasiko esintu, kwazise awukwazi ukwehlukanisa lokhu kokubili. Ifundisa ngokuzigqaja nokuziqhayisa ngokuthi unguMzulu, kukhule nothando lolimi Iwakho. Kule mojuli utunda ngohlelo nokwakheka kwamagama esiZulu, ukuphinyiswa nokubhalwa kwawo, izinguquko zefonoloji, izincazelo zamagama kanye nezinguquko ezenzeka olimini. | 3 |
| ZUL1506 | Ukusetshenziswa Kobuchwepheshe Bezilimi Zesintu | Le mojuli ibaluleke ekufundiseni wena mfundi ngezihlokwana zolimi IwesiZulu ezisetshenziswa uma sibhala, sifunda noma sikhuluma ulimi. Miningi imikhakha ehambisana nale mojuli, katushane ngingabala eZemfundo, eZokuxhumana, eZezindaba, eZamabhizinisi, nolwazi Iwamakhono ukuze kube khona ukukhula ekwazini ulimi. Le mojuli ifundisa ngolimi namasiko esintu, kwazise awukwazi ukwehlukanisa lokhu kokubili. Ifundisa ngokuzigqaja nokuziqhayisa ngokuthi unguMzulu, kukhule nothando lolimi Iwakho. | 2 |
| ZUL1508 | Applied African Languages Grammar for First Additional Language, Foundation Phase | Le mojuli ifundisa ngolimi namasiko esintu, kwazise awukwazi ukwehlukanisa lokhu kokubili. Ifundisa ngokuzigqaja nokuziqhayisa ngokuthi unguMzulu, kukhule nothando lolimi Iwakho. Kule mojuli utunda ngohlelo nokwakheka kwamagama esiZulu, ukuphinyiswa nokubhalwa kwawo, izinguquko zefonoloji, izincazelo zamagama kanye nezinguquko ezenzeka olimini. | 1 |
| ZUL1509 | Applied African Languages Literature for First Additional Language | Le mojuli ifundisa ngolimi namasiko esintu, kwazise awukwazi ukwehlukanisa lokhu kokubili. Ifundisa ngokuzigqaja nokuziqhayisa ngokuthi unguMzulu, kukhule nothando lolimi Iwakho. Kule mojuli utunda ngohlelo nokwakheka kwamagama esiZulu, ukuphinyiswa nokubhalwa kwawo, izinguquko zefonoloji, izincazelo zamagama kanye nezinguquko ezenzeka olimini. | 1 |
| ZUL2604 | Applied African Languages Grammar for Home Language Teaching in the Intermediate Phase | Le mojuli ifundisa ngolimi namasiko esintu, kwazise awukwazi ukwehlukanisa lokhu kokubili. Ifundisa ngokuzigqaja nokuziqhayisa ngokuthi unguMzulu, kukhule nothando lolimi Iwakho. Kule mojuli utunda ngohlelo nokwakheka kwamagama esiZulu, ukuphinyiswa nokubhalwa kwawo, izinguquko zefonoloji, izincazelo zamagama kanye nezinguquko ezenzeka olimini. | 2 |
| ZUL2605 | Ukusetshenziswa Kobuchwepheshe BesiZulu (Ulimi Lwasekhaya) | Le mojuli ifundisa ngolimi namasiko esintu, kwazise awukwazi ukwehlukanisa lokhu kokubili. Ifundisa ngokuzigqaja nokuziqhayisa ngokuthi unguMzulu, kukhule nothando lolimi Iwakho. | 2 |
| ZUL2606 | Applied African Languages Grammar for First Additional Language Intermediate Phase | Le mojuli ibaluleke ekufundiseni umfundi ngezihlokwana zolimi IwesiZulu ezisetshenziswa uma sibhala, sifunda noma sikhuluma ulimi. Miningi imikhakha ehambisana nale mojuli, katushane ngingabala eZemfundo, eZokuxhumana, eZezindaba, eZamabhizinisi, nolwazi Iwamakhono ukuze kube khona ukukhula ekwazini ulimi. Le mojuli ifundisa ngolimi namasiko esintu, kwazise awukwazi ukwehlukanisa lokhu kokubili. Ifundisa ngokuzigqaja nokuziqhayisa ngokuthi unguMzulu, kukhule nothando lolimi Iwakho. Kule mojuli utunda ngohlelo nokwakheka kwamagama esiZulu, ukuphinyiswa nokubhalwa kwawo, izinguquko zefonoloji, izincazelo zamagama kanye nezinguquko ezenzeka olimini. | 1 |
| ZUL2607 | Applied African Languages Grammar for First Additional Language Intermediate Phase | Le mojuli ifundisa ngolimi namasiko esintu, kwazise awukwazi ukwehlukanisa lokhu kokubili. Ifundisa ngokuzigqaja nokuziqhayisa ngokuthi unguMzulu, kukhule nothando lolimi Iwakho. Kule mojuli utunda ngohlelo nokwakheka kwamagama esiZulu, ukuphinyiswa nokubhalwa kwawo, izinguquko zefonoloji, izincazelo zamagama kanye nezinguquko ezenzeka olimini. | 1 |
| MODULE CODE | MODULE NAME | PURPOSE OF MODULE | XITSONGA |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSO 3705 | Creative writing and Translation | The purpose of this module is to equip students with creative writing skills and to develop their creative writing skills and as a result, write literary works. Students will also acquire the necessary skills of translation and editing. | 5 |
| AFL1502 | African Languages and Culture in Practice | This module will be useful to students who want to develop competencies in interacting successfully in a multi-cultural society. These competencies include the ability to demonstrate their sensitivity to their own language usage and that of others and interact across cultures with knowledge and respect. | 5 |
| AFL1503 | Language and Communication Skills Acquisition in an African Language 1 | The purpose of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to learn the basic language structure and vocabulary of an African language. Students who achieve the outcomes of this course will be able to communicate on an elementary level with speakers of the target language and be equipped with basic reading, listening and comprehension skills. They will also be culturally sensitive to language nuances on an elementary level. | 5 |
| TSO1505 | Applied African Languages Grammar for First Additional Language | This module intends to promote multilingualism and intercultural communication in Xitsonga as a First Additional Language for BED Foundation and Intermediate Phases. This module will provide qualifying student teachers with levels of language proficiency that meet the threshold levels necessary for effective learning across the curriculum since learners may learn through the medium of their First Additional Language in South African context. Student teachers will be exposed to an equal emphasis on the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Qualifying student teachers will be able to function effectively in their immediate community as teachers in Xitsonga as their first additional language. | 5 |
| TSO1506 | Applied African Languages for Home Language, Foundation Phase. | The purpose of this module is to equip qualifying student teachers with the appropriate skills and knowledge of Xitsonga Literature for home language in the foundation phase. Qualifying graduates will be provided with the skills of interpreting literary texts in Xitsonga, with an emphasis on Children’s literature. The qualifying student teacher will be able to write about the genres of poetry, prose and oral literature with attention to the author’s creative choices regarding language. | 5 |
| TSO2604 | Applied African Languages Grammar for Home Language teaching in the Intermediate Phase | This module is aimed at student teachers in the Intermediate Phase to develop their competencies in the grammar of Xitsonga. It intends to equip students with knowledge and skills of Xitsonga as a Home Language in learning and teaching contexts. This includes insights into more advanced aspects of the grammar of the language which will be of practical value to them in the fields of language teaching and development. Qualifying student teachers will be proficient in using the language as Home Language in the Intermediate phase classroom. | 5 |
| TSO2605 | Applied African Languages Literature for Home language teaching in the Intermediate Phase | The purpose of this module is to equip qualifying student teachers with the appropriate skills and knowledge of Xitsonga Literature for Home language in the B Ed Intermediate Phase. Qualifying graduates will be provided with the skills of interpreting literary texts in Xitsonga, with an emphasis on children’s literature. | 5 |
| TSO2606 | Applied African Languages Grammar for First Additional Language Intermediate Phase | Mojulu lowu wu havaxerisa swichudeni leswi thwaselaka vudyondzisi hi swikili leswi faneleke na vutivi bya matsalwa ya Xitsonga eka ritimi ro engetela eka xiyimo xa masungulo. Lava thwaselaka vudyondzisi va ta nyikiwa swikili swo kota ku hlamusela matsalwa eka Xitsonga ku ri karhi ku tshikeleriwa matsalwa ya vana. | 5 |
| TSO2607 | Applied African Languages Grammar for First Additional Language Intermediate Phase | It equips student teachers with sufficient communication and grammar skills in Xitsonga to be able to uses it effectively in the intermediate phase as a first additional language. It provides student teachers with basic linguistic competencies for effective language practice. It advances and integrates language skills in order to conceptualise critical analysis to qualifying student teachers with foundational knowledge and to assist them to gain insight and to develop critical listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. | 5 |
| TSO3701 | African Languages: The Science of Language in Context | This module is useful for students engaged in language teaching and language practice (including remedial teaching), editing, language consultancy (translating and interpretation, language services), lexicography and glossary development in different professions (medicine, health, business, law, entertainment, sport, politics and religion). The module aims to empower students to apply language in a purposeful and focused way to the benefit of the community. | 3 |
| AFL2601 | Communication Dynamics in African Languages | This module begins by introducing Student to the sociohistorical context of African languages. We consider the assumed place of origin of these languages, the geographical movement of the speakers of these languages, and attempts that have been made at categorising these languages into meaningful groups (for example, according to zones or linguistically determined criteria). | 2 |
| AFL4801 | Sound systems | It introduces students to articulatory phonetics so that they can apply these principles to their main languages. It also provides students with an overview of the basic principles of phonology, phoneme analysis in terms of distinctive features as well as the utilisation of these features to account for phonological processes and phonological rules. | 3 |
| AFL4802 | From form to meaning | It equips speakers of the target African languages with knowledge of the structure of the word, the nature of the morph and morpheme and selected morphological processes. It also helps the student identify and investigate specific syntactic problems. Different issues pertaining to the study of semantics are also dealt with. | 3 |
| AFL4803 | Orature in African Languages | It gives students an overview of the subject Traditional Literature, focusing on its nature and its genres. The secondary objective is to tackle the subject from a global point of view to enable the student to see the subject in its proper perspective. | 3 |
| AFL4804 | Literary Studies in African Languages | It focuses on taking modern literature in African languages to new heights and into a new direction. The approach is essentially practical with the tacit aim and objective of empowering students to become artists and creative critics. | 3 |
| HRAFL81 | Research Report | This module equips students with research skills to produce a research report based on their independent critical exploration of linguistic, sociolinguistic and literary phenomena in the African languages. | 3 |
| MODULE CODE | MODULE NAME | PURPOSE OF MODULE | SESOTHO |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSO1502 | Applied African Languages Grammar for Home Languages: Foundation and Intermediate Phase Sesotho | The module aims to provide students with skills and knowledge on how to handle language and language-related problems in African languages in general and in Sesotho in particular. We will sensitise them to the functions of languages in context, and also hope to engage them in the professionalisation of language. | 1 |
| AFL1502 | African Languages and Culture in Practice | This module will be useful to students who want to develop competencies in interacting successfully in a multi-cultural society. These competencies include the ability to demonstrate their sensitivity to their own language usage and that of others and interact across cultures with knowledge and respect. | 1 |
| AFL2601 | Communication Dynamics in African Languages | This module begins by introducing Student to the sociohistorical context of African languages. We consider the assumed place of origin of these languages, the geographical movement of the speakers of these languages, and attempts that have been made at categorising these languages into meaningful groups (for example, according to zones or linguistically determined criteria). | 1 |
| SSO1508 | Applied African Languages Grammar for First Additional Language Intermediate Phase – Sesotho | The module aims to provide students with skills and knowledge on how to handle language and language-related problems in African languages in general and in Sesotho in particular. We will sensitise them to the functions of languages in context, and also hope to engage them in the professionalisation of language. | 1 |
| SSO3703 | An Introduction to Language Policy and Planning in South Africa: The case of African Languages | The implication of language policy and planning to ensuring languages parity in the South African context | 1 |
| MODULE CODE | MODULE NAME | PURPOSE OF MODULE | SESOTHO SA LEBOA (NOF Level) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFL1502 | African Languages and Culture in Practice | This module will be useful to students who want to develop competencies in interacting successfully in a multi-cultural society. These competencies include the ability to demonstrate their sensitivity to their own language usage and that of others and interact across cultures with knowledge and respect. | 5 |
| AFL1503 | Language and Communication Skills Acquisition in an African Language | The purpose of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to learn the basic language structure and vocabulary of an African language. Students who achieve the outcomes of this course will be able to communicate on an elementary level with speakers of the target language and be equipped with basic reading, listening and comprehension skills. They will also be culturally sensitive to language nuances on an elementary level. | 5 |
| AFL2601 | Communication Dynamics in African Languages | This module will be useful to students, especially those in education, communication sciences, psychology, and business, who want to develop competencies/skills/knowledge in theoretical foundations of the fundamental communication dynamics in African languages. The module provides students with a broad theoretical knowledge of the origins of African languages; it discusses grammatical structures with specific reference to effective communication to encourage awareness of the way languages influence one another. | 6 |
| AFL2602 | Understanding African management practices as reflected in African language literature and texts | This module will be useful to people who need to communicate with people of different cultures. African language literature and texts are used to illustrate African management practices and to inculcate an appreciation of how societal values are expressed. | 6 |
| AFL2603 | Literature and Society: A Perspective on African Languages | The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the way in which African languages literature depicts various aspects of society. This module will be useful to students who want to develop competence, skill and knowledge in understanding the various literary genres found in African languages, critiquing literary works in African languages, explaining the role of the author in addressing societal issues and discovering the application of various literary theories to African languages literature. | 6 |
| NSO1505 | Applied African Languages Grammar for First Additional Language | This module intends to promote multilingualism and intercultural communication in Sesotho sa Leboa as a First Additional Language for BED Foundation and Intermediate Phases. This module will provide qualifying student teachers with levels of language proficiency that meet the threshold levels necessary for effective learning across the curriculum since learners may learn through the medium of their First Additional Language in South African context. Student teachers will be exposed to an equal emphasis on the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Qualifying student teachers will be able to function effectively in their immediate community as teachers in Sesotho sa Leboa as their first additional language. | 5 |
| NSO1506 | Applied African Languages for Home Language, Foundation Phase. | The purpose of this module is to equip qualifying student teachers with the appropriate skills and knowledge of Sesotho sa Leboa Literature for home language in the foundation phase. Qualifying graduates will be provided with the skills of interpreting literary texts in Sesotho sa Leboa, with an emphasis on Children’s literature. The qualifying student teacher will be able to write about the genres of poetry, prose and oral literature with attention to the author’s creative choices regarding language. | 5 |
| NSO2604 | Applied African Languages Grammar for Home Language teaching in the Intermediate Phase | This module is aimed at student teachers in the Intermediate Phase to develop their competencies in the grammar of Sesotho sa Leboa. It intends to equip students with knowledge and skills of Sesotho sa Leboa as a Home Language in learning and teaching contexts. This includes insights into more advanced aspects of the grammar of the language which will be of practical value to them in the fields of language teaching and development. Qualifying student teachers will be proficient in using the language as Home Language in the Intermediate phase classroom. | 6 |
| NSO2605 | Applied African Languages Literature for Home language teaching in the Intermediate Phase | The purpose of this module is to equip qualifying student teachers with the appropriate skills and knowledge of Sesotho sa Leboa Literature for Home language in the B Ed Intermediate Phase. Qualifying graduates will be provided with the skills of interpreting literary texts in Sesotho sa Leboa, with an emphasis on children’s literature. | 6 |