A huge thank you to e-Biz Blitz for the feature article:
Pietermaritzburg recently welcomed a new addition to its repertoire of boutique educational attractions, the KZN Language Institute that operated out of University of KwaZulu-Natal for 13 years. It is now operating independently and its programmes in English and other languages are proving increasingly popular with working people, local and non-English speaking students, and travellers. Much as the focus is on teaching English and developing proficiency, the institute also offers tuition in the vernacular isiZulu, as well as other languages, such as French, spoken in Africa and abroad. It plans to offer kiSwahili in the near future. The KZN Language Institute is popular with students, working people and travellers alike.
The institute’s director, Jenny Kerchhoff, explained that their programmes are tailored to specific needs and applications, based on requests from clients. “Post graduate students are given academic support, and new students are being prepared for entrance into any higher education institution,” she said, adding that professionals in the working world are provided with language skills for business and the use of written and spoken English. “Similarly, prospective travellers – be it for work or leisure – can be equipped in communicative skills needed in a range of languages,” she said. The institute also offers professional editing, translating and transcribing services used by the university and other higher education institutions to proofread dissertations and journal articles. It also assists those needing to take the IELTS test for immigration purposes, or for entrance into international, English-medium universities.
Weighing in favour of the institute is its location in the capital city of KZN with its rich educational, cultural and historical legacies. “Pietermaritzburg enjoys an enviable reputation as a centre of educational excellence on account of its top quality schools, university and other tertiary institutions,” Kerchhoff said. “Its size and relative peace and quiet makes it possible for students to focus on their studies and the city is ideal for someone arriving from another country to learn about South Africa.”
