Afrikaans
The educational aim of Afrikaans First Additional Language is to ensure that boys develop skills and gain knowledge that they can apply in a meaningful way in their lives. In the FET phase, the focus is on preparing learners for higher education and centres around creative writing, literature, comprehension and language in context.
The Afrikaans department consists of six experienced educators, each of whom teaches a class per grade. One class of Advanced Afrikaans in Grade 10 and in Grade 11 challenges the boys to embrace more critical thinking and creativity in the language. Download CAPS FET Phase – Afrikaans
OR
isiXhosa
Learners can choose IsiXhosa instead of Afrikaans as a First Additional Language from Grade 8 through to Grade 12. In all five years, the curriculum focuses on developing the following language skills:
- Listening and speaking
- Reading and viewing
- Writing and presenting
- Language structures and conventions
The overall mark for isiXhosa FAL includes language, literature, writing and oral assessments, the weightings of which may vary from grade to grade.
The pupils are taught to use language accurately through a focus on punctuation, spelling and grammar rules. They are given the opportunity to develop their imaginative and creative sides through a variety of writing tasks, as well as to write for real-world contexts (e.g. CVs and formal letters). A critical awareness of how language functions in real-world contexts is enhanced through the teaching of, for example, advertising and propaganda techniques.
A key aspect of the isiXhosa syllabus is developing empathy and social and cultural awareness. This is achieved through teaching a variety of literature texts – including poetry, drama, novels, short stories and traditional tales. Language is also about effective communication, so the pupils are given ample opportunity to improve their speaking and listening skills through formal speeches, informal discussions, debates and group presentations. Download CAPS FET Phase – IsiXhosa
