Exploring Afrikaans Language and Culture

This online course will develop your functional proficiency in Afrikaans. Designed for non-mother tongue speakers, it equips you with the strategic, socio-linguistic and linguistic competence needed for basic communication in Afrikaans. Whether you encounter Afrikaans in your work environment or wish to connect with Afrikaans-speaking friends and family, this course is sure to add value. The practical and interactive lessons will help you acquire Afrikaans vocabulary and deal with various communication scenarios. We focus on all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) and incorporate real-life situations to encourage authentic language usage. From introducing yourself and greeting others to sharing personal information and getting around town, you will gain the confidence to converse in Afrikaans. Yet the course also offers more than just language learning; it provides an appreciation for Afrikaans culture within the broader South African context. Immerse yourself in the origins of Afrikaans and discover the different cultural dimensions that make the language unique. Led by Afrikaans language acquisition experts Mrs Helga Sykstus and Dr Arné Binneman, this fun-filled and interactive course ensures an engaging learning experience. With their years of experience and passion for sharing the language and culture, they will guide you towards language proficiency and cultural appreciation. Note that this course is a taster only, providing a brief introduction to the Afrikaans language. While it equips participants with functional communication skills, increased proficiency will require continued study. If you are interested in further enhancing your Afrikaans language abilities, do consider enrolling for follow-up courses. By building on the foundation laid in this course, you can progress to higher levels of fluency and mastery in Afrikaans. 3

• gain a better understanding of the nature of the Afrikaans language and culture;
• learn how to introduce yourself, ask and respond to introductory questions and greet appropriately in Afrikaans;
• develop basic Afrikaans dialogue skills relating to wellbeing;
• learn how to share personal details and talk about hobbies and interests in Afrikaans, albeit to a limited extent;
• learn limited Afrikaans social interaction skills in a restaurant or shop setting;
• learn the correct use of basic Afrikaans grammatical structures;
• acquire appropriate vocabulary linked to the themes of the course; and
• learn the correct pronunciation of Afrikaans words.

• No background knowledge of Afrikaans is required to take this course.