The Language Development and Support Unit (LDSU), housed within the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching (CILT), provides strategic leadership in advancing multilingualism, language development, academic language support, and linguistic inclusion across teaching, learning, research, and institutional communication at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT).
Guided by the University's Language Policy and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) Language Policy Framework, the LDSU promotes equitable access to knowledge. We facilitate the development and use of Sesotho, Afrikaans, South African Sign Language (SASL), and English, while actively supporting the re-intellectualisation of indigenous African languages, terminology development, and multilingual scholarship.
Advancing Multilingualism. Enabling Student Success. Transforming Knowledge.
Our Vision & Mission
Our Vision
To be a leading university language development centre that advances multilingualism, linguistic justice, academic success, and innovation in higher education.
Our Mission
The LDSU is committed to driving curriculum transformation and enhancing student success by:
- Advancing multilingual teaching, learning, and research.
- Promoting equitable access to knowledge through language.
- Developing indigenous African languages for academic and professional use.
- Supporting academic excellence through quality language services.
- Building institutional capacity for multilingual education.
Our Core Services
The LDSU equips the university community with high-impact language solutions, fostering linguistic diversity and social cohesion across all faculties.
Academic Language Support
Equipping academic staff with translanguaging methodologies, decolonised pedagogies, and multilingual teaching resources to enhance epistemic access and student success.
Translation & Interpreting
Delivering high-quality translation, editing, and simultaneous interpreting services, including dedicated South African Sign Language (SASL) support for academic and administrative processes.
Terminology Development
Leading domain-specific terminology development and digital re-intellectualisation, creating validated Sesotho lexicons in partnership with national lexicography bodies.
Policy & Governance
Overseeing institutional language policy implementation, ensuring governance compliance, and managing strategic reporting to university structures and the DHET.
Scholarship & Engagement
Promoting Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) in multilingualism, and fostering social cohesion through high-impact public events like International Translation Day.
Strategic Focus & Institutional Values
Our strategic interventions are designed to monitor and evaluate the impact of multilingual practices on teaching, learning, and student success. We are committed to strengthening graduate outcomes by making knowledge inherently more accessible and culturally resonant.
Guiding Principles: The LDSU operates in full alignment with CUT’s core institutional values: Ubuntu, Integrity, Diversity, Innovation, Excellence, Sustainability, and Digital Citizenship.
The team presents engaging multilingual essay writing workshops to strengthen students’ creative and academic writing skills.Collaborative Partnerships
Language transformation is a shared endeavour. The LDSU collaborates extensively with internal faculties and external bodies to amplify our impact:
Internal CUT Structures: Faculties, Institutional Renewal and Transformation Unit, Library and Information Services, ICT, Department of Communication Sciences, and the University Language Committee.
National Language Bodies: Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) and National Lexicography Units.
Government Departments: Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), and Provincial/National Departments of Sport, Arts and Culture.
Academic & Professional Networks: Partner universities, higher education institutions, and professional language associations.
