Afrikaans 1st Additional Language

Afrikaners is plesierig, dit kan julle glo!

Afrikaans – a Germanic language that originated in the 17th century Cape and became an official language in 1925. (Adapted from Wikipedia)

At Dainfern College, learners may choose either Afrikaans or isiZulu as their first additional language to be taken to Matric.

There are currently about six million Afrikaans mother tongue speakers and the language is spoken by 15 to 23 million people in total. As well as being one of South Africa’s official languages, Afrikaans is also spoken in many ex-pat communities, notably Canada, Australia, UK, USA, New Zealand, Ireland, Brazil, the Netherlands and Belgium.

In Africa you may hear Afrikaans in our neighbouring countries: Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Swaziland: see map of South Africa below.

Our approach to teaching Afrikaans at Dainfern College is largely communicative:  Learners are taught to greet each other and to be able to conduct a basic conversation in Afrikaans. We also encourage learners to listen to Afrikaans music and to watch 7de Laan, one of South Africa’s favourite homegrown soapies, as well as Binnelanders.

We try to build a passion for the language and to experience the culture first hand. For example, close to Heritage Day, our Grade 8s presented a South African product to the class: some chose Blatjang (chutney), Bobotie (a South African type of cottage pie) and Boerebeskuit (rusks), to name but a few.  Learners who had never heard of bobotie - and others who had! -  were afforded the opportunity of tasting this delicious fare.

The Grade 8 and 9 learners are encouraged to have a hands-on-experience of Afrikaans.

To access the Afrikaans portal page, please click here. Please note that in so doing you will be leaving the official Dainfern College website.