CIEE Global Institute

Transcription

1 CIEE Global Institute Course name: Beginner s isixhosa Course number: XHSA 1001 CTSA Programs offering course: Service-Learning and Global Sustainability and Environment Language of instruction: English U.S. Semester Credits: 3 Contact Hours: 45 Term: Spring 2018 Course Description The purpose of this course is to encourage you to discover another side of South Africa through the isixhosa language. Language learning is something that we are all capable of, yet due to circumstances we have not all had equal opportunity to share in the rich linguistic heritage of this country. Without understanding, there can be no friendship. If one wishes to understand people, one must identify oneself with them. One must study their language, customs and culture Joan Broster The course is geared to give you the basic language skills necessary to have elementary conversations. Our approach is a simple one. Adults learn the same way that children do: by listening and speaking. Making mistakes is part of the fun and part of the learning experience. We are convinced that you will find the course stimulating and worthwhile. Learning Objectives The objectives of this course are as follow: To develop student s ability to understand and express themselves in isixhosa. To introduce to students the basic features of the Xhosa Language; equip

2 them with the basic knowledge of Xhosa grammar, and expand their vocabulary in the language. To equip students with Xhosa reading skills. Students should develop the ability to read simple Xhosa text. To introduce students to some aspects of Xhosa culture Course Prerequisites NONE Methods of Instruction A communicative approach is followed. The emphasis is therefore on communication and not grammar. However, because the structure of Xhosa differs so vastly from participants first and second languages, some attention has to be given to structural aspects. It is important to note that the emphasis is on speaking and using the language, and not on the grammatical intricacies of the language. We will not spend hours talking about the language we ll simply be speaking it! Carefully selected examples of conversations are supplied. The facilitator will read these conversations out loud for the sake of pronunciation. Relevant language structures will then be pointed out and explained. Participants will then be encouraged to start using these structures with the vocabulary supplied in the examples to start formulating their own sentences and conversations. Assessment and Final Grade A system of continuous assessment will be followed. At the end of each section formative assessment tasks will be done. The orals will be conducted in an informal manner so as to put participants at ease so that they will be to speak more freely. Methods of assessment: Individual and group oral presentations Oral interactions (including pair work)

3 Short written tasks of various topics Listening/ viewing Communicating the gist of simple sentences Translation of simple texts. Allocation of marks Class participation 10% Orals 45 % Exam 45% Course Requirements Class Participation Students are expected to be present for every class and actively engaged in discussions, activities, and excursions. Participation should demonstrate understanding of course concepts and ability to apply them to everyday situations. Students are required to lead at least one class discussion, and must notify the instructor as soon as possible before class if they will be absent for any reason. Class Attendance Regular class attendance is required throughout the program. Students must notify their instructor via Canvas, beforehand, if possible, if they will miss class for any reason. Students are responsible for any materials covered in class in their absence. Students who miss class for medical reasons must inform the instructor and the Academic Director (or a designated staff member) and provide appropriate documentation as noted below. A make-up opportunity will be provided to the extent this is feasible. Due to the intensive nature of the block schedule, all unexcused absences will result in a lower final grade for the course. Each unexcused absence will cause 3 percentage points to be dropped from the final grade. For example, a student with an 88% final grade (B+) and 1 unexcused absence will see it reduced to 85% (B). Students who transfer from one class to another during the add/drop period will not be considered absent from the first session(s) of their new class, provided they were marked present for the first session(s) of their original class. Otherwise, the absence(s) from the original class carry over to the new class and count against the grade in that class.

4 CIEE program minimum class attendance standards are as outlined below. Center-specific attendance policies may be more stringent than the policies stated below. The Center / Resident Director sets the specific attendance policy for each location, including how absences impact final grades. Such policies are communicated to students during orientation and via Study Center documents. In the event that the attendance policy for host institution courses differs from CIEE s policy, the more stringent policy will apply. Excessively tardy (over 15 minutes late) students will be marked absent. Students who miss class for personal travel will be marked as absent and unexcused. No make-up opportunity will be provided. An absence will only be considered excused if: A doctor s note is provided. A CIEE staff member verifies that the student was too ill to attend class. Evidence is provided of a family emergency. Attendance policies also apply to any required co-curricular class excursion or event. Persistent absenteeism (students approaching 20% or more of total course hours missed, or violations of the attendance policies in more than one class) may lead to a written warning from the Academic Director or Resident Director, notification to the student s home school, and/or dismissal from the program in addition to a reduction in class grade(s). Weekly Schedule NOTE: this schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor to take advantage of current experiential learning opportunities. In this lesson you will learn how to: Session 1: Isifundo sokuqala - Ukubulisa To greet Greet people Say Good-bye to one person and to many people Pronunciation of Xhosa vowels and consonants Cultural aspects associated with greetings Understand the meaning of Xhosa names

5 Session 2: Isifundo sesbini - Ukuzazisa Introductions Introduce yourself Describe yourself Ask another person to describe himself/herself Give your address and phone number Give your date and place of birth Session 3: Isifundo sesithathu Imozulu, iintsuku zeveki, amanani Weather, days of the week and numbers Use the days of the week in sentences Ask the weather Talk about weather Count from 1-10 Session 4 Isifundo sesine (Lesson four) Ukwakhiwa kwezivakalisi Sentence construction Use various noun classes in sentences Link verbs with nouns using concords Construct a simple sentence Construct a simple sentence with a possessive Make short conversation (eg. Answering the phone) Construct a sentence in the present tense, future tense and the past tense

6 In this lesson you will learn; Session 5: Isifundo sesihlanu - Uncwadi lwesixhosa Xhosa Literature An overview of the isixhosa literature The Early writers and their themes The writers during apartheid and their themes The current writers and their themes Session 6 Isifundo sesithandathu - Ifemeli nabahlobo - family and friends Talk about family Say how many brothers and sisters you have Call family members (eg; umakazi- aunt; umalume-uncle; ubhuti- brother, etc.) Session 7 Isifundo sesixhenxe- Ekhaya - At home Identify things in a house Rooms at home Use of each room at home, eg. kitchen Use primary colours Identify clothes we wear Cooking utensils

7 Various types of dishes In this lesson you will learn; Session 8 Isifundo sesibhozo - Amasiko nezithethe Appropriate Cultural Insights Cultural rituals associated with birth A rite of passage for a girl- Intonjane A rite of passage for a boy- Ukwaluka A traditional wedding Cultural rituals associated with death Use ntoni what? Use phi where? Use njani how? Use bani who? Use ngoba why? Use ngaphi how many? Session 9: Isifundo sethoba- Ukubuza imibuzo elula Asking simple questions Session 10: Isifundo seshumi - Ukuyalela To give instructions/commands

8 Give instruction to one person Give instruction to many people Give commands Use negatives when giving instruction Session 11: Ukucacisa amabinzana nomsebenzi Clarification of phrases and revision This lesson will be divided into two sections: Section 1: The participants will be given an opportunity to select sections of the work they would like to be revised. Section 2: The facilitator will clarify phrases that were problematic.