SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Read and respond to a variety of diplomatic texts 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
114874  Read and respond to a variety of diplomatic texts 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Diplomacy, Protocol and Foreign Affairs Assist 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Sovereignty of the State 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  15 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard has as its core purpose, qualifying learners who can read and interpret
information at a high level of oral and written interactions within the diplomatic context. The learner will be able to use language confidently in both formal and familiar settings and articulate purpose and meaning clearly. The learner will use language to convey detailed information and to express points of view and feelings appropriately. The learner will understand the terminology and concepts in DFA documentation in the diplomatic field.

The qualifying learner will be able to:
  • Define concepts and terminology in diplomacy.
  • Use appropriate communication strategies for specific purposes and situations.
  • Communicate orally and evaluate spoken texts in a diplomatic context.
  • Apply language writing practices and conventions in diplomatic context.
  • Communicate effectively with all role players. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners accessing this qualification are assumed to have completed a Level 4 qualification or RPL equivalent. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Define concepts and terminology used in the field of diplomacy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Diplomatic terminology is defined. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Concepts applicable to the diplomatic field are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Use appropriate communication strategies for specific purposes and situations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Verbal and non-verbal communication skills are demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Appropriate responses to diplomatic situations are demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Greetings are identified and applied according to protocol. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Pronunciation and articulation skills are demonstrated in context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Inter-active language abilities are demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Discussions are controlled sensitively and in a manner that enhances the goals of a group or one-on-one interaction. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The underlying assumptions, points of view and subtexts in spoken texts are identified and clarified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Tone, approach and style is appropriate to context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    Characteristics of a speaker's style and tone that attract or alienate an audience are identified. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Apply language writing practices and conventions in diplomatic and academic context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Notes are taken for the purpose of recording discussions, procedures and processes in a working context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Diplomatic practices are adhered to within written communication. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Graphic material related to the diplomatic service is interpreted and produced. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Types, functions and register of diplomatic and academic texts are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Personal writing skills for production of relevant texts are demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Acknowledged academic referencing procedures are demonstrated. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Communicate effectively with all role players. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Communication lines for Head Office and mission offices are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Formats of official correspondence are applied in practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Submissions are completed appropriately in the required format. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Minutes are recorded accurately. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Records of correspondence are kept according to DFA directives. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this unit standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the ETQA's discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Verbal and non-verbal communication and pronunciation.
  • Public speaking.
  • Sound bites.
  • Note writing and summaries.
  • Analytical skills: Read, interpret and analyse information.
  • Forms of Communication: Demarche, Submissions.
  • Application of protocols in correspondence.
  • Graphic presentations and interpretations.
  • Discussion in one-on-one or group situations.
  • Underlying assumptions, points of view and subtexts in spoken texts.
  • Tone, approach or style in oral interactions.
  • Pause, rhetorical question, exclamation, analogy, emphasis, repetition, rhythm, use of inclusive/exclusive pronouns, stress, intonation, volume.
  • Academic written and spoken texts.
  • DFA documentation and formats. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, evaluate, organize and critically evaluate information pertaining to presentation skills. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively in a diplomatic and intercultural context. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Assessment methods and integrated assessment

    Ensure that assessment covers the specific outcomes, the critical cross-field outcomes and the essential embedded knowledge. Assessment activities should be appropriate to the context and tools may include self-assessment, peer assessment, formative and summative assessment.

    A range of assessment methods should be used, including direct observation, product sample, case study analysis, simulation, questioning (verbal or written) and testimony (portfolio collection of evidence).

    Integrated assessment: It may be more effective and efficient to assess a number of unit standards together thus reducing the number of assessment "events". Ensure that the commonalities that exist between a number of unit standards are captured in a way that makes sense for assessment.

    Supplementary information

    Activity No. Hours Comments
    Lectures 60
    Experiential Learning 60 Aspects may integrated with learning a foreign language
    Self-directed learning 20
    Skills coaching 10
    Other
    Total 150 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Fundamental  48761   National Certificate: Mission Administration  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2020-07-30  PSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. HJN TRAINING CC 
    2. Pro-Active Public Services (Pty) Ltd 
    3. South Africa School of Diplomacy, Protocol and Public Administration 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.