The purpose of the FIAL Language Policy is to formalize the use of English as the medium of instruction and official communication at the Fashion Institute of Advanced Learning (FIAL), while that recognizes that South Africa a country with multi-languages. This policy aims to promote clear, consistent communication, ensure inclusivity, and align the institution with global industry standards, particularly in fashion, design, and related field while considering the African context.
All academic programs, courses, and related activities conducted at FIAL.
All faculty members,
Administrative staff,
Lecturer and managements
Students enrolled in or working with the institution.
Official communications, marketing materials, internal reports, external correspondence, and other public-facing documentation in exception of non-academic events hosted by FIAL.
This Policy Framework includes the following components and must be read in conjunction with FIAL's, Higher Education Act 101 of 1997 and it amended 2008, Quality Management System Policy, code of conduct, and learning teaching policy.
Academic Programs: Structured sets of courses and learning experiences offered by a college or university, leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate.
Courses: Individual units of instruction within an academic program, typically focused on a specific subject or skill.
Students Enrolled: Individuals who have registered and are actively taking part in courses or academic programs at an educational institution.
Marketing Materials: Promotional content created to attract and inform potential students, stakeholders, and the public about the institution’s offerings and achievements. This can include brochures, advertisements, social media posts, and more.
Internal Reports: Documents generated within an organization to provide insights, updates, and analyses on various aspects of its operations, often used for decision-making and strategic planning.
Public-Facing Documentation: Information and documents intended for external audiences, such as prospective students, parents, and the public. Examples include websites, press releases, and annual reports.
Events Hosted by FIAL: Activities and gatherings organized by the Food Innovation Australia Limited (FIAL), which may include workshops, conferences, seminars, and networking events focused on the food industry.
LMS (Learning Management System): A software application or platform used to deliver, manage, and track educational courses and training programs. Examples include Moodle, Blackboard, and Canvas.
Medium of Instruction: The language used to teach and communicate academic content in educational settings. For example, English is the medium of instruction in many international universities.
Lectures: An educational talk to an audience, especially students in a university or college.
Tutorials: A period of tuition given by a university or college tutor to an individual or a small group.
Workshops: A meeting or series of meetings where a group of people engage in intensive discussion and activity on a particular subject or project.
ELTS: International English Language Testing System
TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language
Profanity: Refers to language considered socially offensive due to being vulgar, obscene, or irreverent use with intention to offend or disrupt
The Fashion Institute of Advanced Learning (FIAL) acknowledges the rich linguistic diversity of South Africa and is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible learning environment. While English shall be as the primary medium of instruction and communication, we recognize the value of South Africa’s official languages and the cultural heritage they stand for.
FIAL strives to ensure that all students, regardless of their linguistic background, have fair access to education. To support this, the institution will provide language help where necessary, while promoting the use of English as a global language in the fashion and design industries. We encourage the celebration of linguistic diversity within the FIAL community, while ensuring that English serves as the unifying language for academic and professional purposes.
Through this policy, FIAL aims to prepare students for global opportunities while respecting and reflecting the multilingual fabric of South African society.
FIAL is committed to preparing students for success in global industries, including fashion, design, leatherwork, and furniture manufacturing. English, being the dominant language in these industries, eases international collaboration and opens opportunities for graduates to engage with global markets and trends.
By using English as the sole medium of instruction, FIAL ensures fair access to learning materials and resources for students from diverse linguistic backgrounds. This policy supports non-discriminatory educational practices and fosters a multicultural learning environment where students from various regions can interact and learn on equal footing.
A standardized language policy across all communication platforms and academic contexts ensures that information understood by all parties involved, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings. It also promotes collaboration between local and international stakeholders.
Medium of Instruction
English shall be the exclusive medium of instruction for all academic offerings at FIAL. This includes, but not limited to:
Lectures
Tutorials
Workshops
Assignments and assessments
Learning resources such as textbooks, online materials, and presentations.
Official Communication
All internal and external communications, including emails, letters, reports, and official announcements, shall be conducted in English. This extends to:
Administrative documents
Marketing content (such as brochures, social media posts, and website updates)
Notices, newsletters, and institutional circulars
Interactions with external stakeholders, including partners, sponsors, and other institutions.
Public and Digital Communication
English shall be the official language used for all FIAL events, presentations, publications, and digital platforms, ensuring consistency and accessibility for both local and international audiences.
Foreign students applying to FIAL should demonstrate a basic level of English ability through standardized tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, or other recognized English assessments. However, FIAL can offer conditional acceptance to students who need more language support, provided they enrol in English language improvement programs.
Language Support Services and Africa Aesthetic
FIAL recognizes that not all students and staff have English as their first language and understands that, in creative fields, expressing cultural concepts can sometimes be challenging in English. To support individuals in this situation, FIAL will offer the following services:
Workshops: one workshop per year shall be held to help non-native English speakers and presentations skill
Cultural and Traditional Expressions: Non-native English speakers are allowed to use traditional terminology and cultural names for creative concepts, provided they include a verifiable English translation for clarity and understanding.
Exceptions
FIAL may invite guest speakers or engage with collaborators whose primary language is not English. In such cases, translation services or interpreters may be provided to facilitate communication. However, these cases shall remain exceptions, and English will continue to be the official language of instruction and communication for all other purposes.
Certain programs or courses that explore linguistic diversity, cultural practice, and Africa aesthetic. These will be clearly written down in the course outlines, words and terminologies must be verifiable and translation must be offered, and the default language of instruction shall remain English.
The Faculty Secretary shall oversee the implementation of this policy, ensuring that all academic and administrative units comply with the use of English as the medium of instruction and communication.
All faculty members are responsible for delivering course content and assessments in English, ensuring that learning materials are clear, accessible, and right for diverse linguistic backgrounds.
Students are expected to complete all academic assignments, projects, and examinations in English, except where specifically allowed by course requirements unless the exception in outline at the beginning on the module, test, or assessment.
All write communication to Fial administration shall be write in English.
The use of profanity during lectures at FIAL is considered highly unprofessional and inappropriate. It is expected that all lecturers, staff, and students support a respectful and conducive learning environment.
Administrative staff shall ensure that all official communications, documentation, and interactions with students, faculty, and external parties adhere to the English language standard set by this policy.
If a student does not follow the language policy (e.g., submitting assignments in a language other than English without proper authorization), they will receive an initial written warning. The student shall be informed of the policy and offered guidance and support services to help them meet the language requirements.
Compliance with this policy is mandatory for all members of the FIAL community. Any failure to adhere to the policy will be addressed following FIAL’s disciplinary procedures. Repeated violations may result in further disciplinary action as outlined in FIAL’s institutional guidelines.
Students, lecturer, staff, or any member of faculty who use profanity during lectures or in interaction with one and other may be subject to disciplinary action. This could range from a formal warning, suspension without pay, deregistration or expulsion if the behaviour persists or is considered particularly inappropriate, per FIAL’s disciplinary guideline.
The staff member will be informed of their non-compliance through a formal discussion with their department head or supervisor. During this meeting, they will receive a verbal or written warning, reminding them of the language policy and its importance in ensuring effective communication and instruction across the institution.
if a student sends coursework that does not meet the English language requirement, they may be asked to resubmit the work in English. Depending on the circumstances, the student may receive an extended deadline to complete this task, but repeated offenses may result penalty (ei loosing credit) in a disciplinary hearing that may lead to suspension or expulsion.
FIAL’s Language Policy shall be reviewed every three years, or as necessary, to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of the institution and its stakeholders. Feedback from students, faculty, and staff will be used to inform any adjustments to the policy. The senior leadership team in consultation with board of FIAL shall overseeing the policy review process and making recommendations for changes where required.