Researcher at Icof
COF GLOBAL UNIVERSITYSOUTHERN PROVINCE CAMPUSDEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGESECE, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY TEACHER'S DIPLOMA PROGRAMMESRESEARCH ASSIGNMENT: LANGUAGE AND CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES2026 ACADEMIC YEARASSIGNMENT TITLELanguage and Society: A Research Assignment on Combating a Cross-Cutting Issue Through Language1.0 INSTRUCTIONSSelect ONE cross-cutting issue affecting your community (see suggested list in Section 3.0, or propose your own with lecturer approval). Carry out a small-scale research investigation into how language is used to address this issue, and write a research-based assignment report of 1,500–2,000 words.2.0 AIMTo develop student-teachers' skills in applying basic research methods to investigate the role of language in addressing a cross-cutting issue within a real community context.3.0 SUGGESTED CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES (choose one)HIV and AIDS awareness and stigma reductionGender-Based Violence (GBV)Early marriage and teenage pregnancyClimate change and environmental conservationDrug and substance abuseCorruption and good governanceChild protection and children's rightsGender equity and women's empowerment4.0 TASKS TO BE CARRIED OUTState the cross-cutting issue chosen and briefly explain why it is significant in your community.Conduct a small field investigation (e.g. interview 3–5 people, observe one community sensitisation event, or analyse one radio programme, poster, or drama script) on how language is used to communicate about the issue.Identify and describe the specific language features used (word choice, tone, code-switching, persuasive or emotive language, use of local language versus English).Analyse how effective these language choices appear to be in reaching and influencing the target audience.Draw conclusions and suggest at least two recommendations for improving communication on the issue.5.0 STRUCTURE OF THE ASSIGNMENT REPORTTitle PageIntroduction (the issue, its relevance, and purpose of the investigation)Brief Literature Review (2–3 relevant sources)Methodology (how data was collected — interview, observation, or document analysis)Findings and AnalysisConclusion and RecommendationsReferences (Harvard style)Appendix (interview questions or observation notes used)6.0 FORMATTING SPECIFICATIONSFont: Times New RomanFont size: 12Line spacing: 1.5Referencing style: HarvardLength: 1,500–2,000 words (excluding references and appendix)Paper size: A4, with 1-inch margins on all sides7.0 ASSESSMENT CRITERIA8.0 SUBMISSION DETAILSSubmission format: Typed hard copy and/or soft copy (Word or PDF) as advised by the lecturerDeadline: To be confirmed by the Department of LanguagesLate submissions will be penalised in accordance with university regulationsPlagiarism will result in disqualification of the assignment9.0 NOTE ON HARVARD REFERENCINGIn-text citations should follow the Author-Date format, e.g. (Fairclough, 2010). All sources cited in-text must appear in the reference list, arranged alphabetically by author surname.Set by: ____________________________ Date: ____________________Lecturer / Head of Department – Languages