isiXhosa - First Additional Language
Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where it's people come from and where they are going.
isiXhosa Details
One of the most widely spoken official languages of South Africa, IsiXhosa is a historical and deep rooted part of our very culture. It is a Bantu language with click consonants and is a tonal language, and is taught to learners who speak IsiXhosa as a home language. All instruction is given in IsiXhosa and learners are expected to participate fully in IsiXhosa. This holistic approach immerses learners in the language, ensuring maximum advantage in their classes and learning. By taking IsiXhosa as a First Additional Language learners place themselves in an advantageous position in relation to their future opportunities, by strengthening their viability as a candidate in the job market.
We are motivated to develop pupils who are not only intent on achieving good results, but also contributing to the wider community. Our languages have great currency, and provide opportunities for students who are proficient in them.
A Word from the Head of isiXhosa
Ms Bulelwa Mhlomi
The expectation is that students already have the ability to speak the language, with instruction in Xhosa. Students learn language structures at a higher level than as a third additional language with different forms of cultural and traditional language links taught. The rich idiomatic phrases of the Xhosa language are also be covered.
Students are expected to study literature until Grade 12, including novels, drama, and short stories. Three exam papers are written: a Language paper, a Literature paper with the third paper as Creative Writing. The advantage of learning Xhosa as a language for mother-tongue Xhosa speakers is that it increases their level of understanding, writing and reading skills whilst at the same time introducing them to the rich heritage of the language.