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Outside this Website:

1. Join the Online Discussion Group

There is a discussion group to support this site -- "Learn-Afrikaans" on Yahoo Groups. Click here to visit the group.

You are invited to join if you are interested to talk to the 1,200 others that are either also learning the language, or native speakers, willing to help you with your questions.

Be curious, surf around to acquaint yourself with the reach of the development.

2. Get software to practice

The University of the North-West has produced two products that can be of great value to you:

a) Learn Afrikaans, isiZulu, isiXhosa or Setswana through interactive software. Buy.  Choose any of the following from the drop down list on the site:
Dagsê (for Afrikaans),         Ngenani (for isiZulu),
Sondelani (for isiXhosa)     Tsenang (for Setswana)

Click here to visit the site and to buy the CD-ROMs online

b) Afrikaanse SkryfGoed 2008 for Microsoft® Office is a collection of writing aids which include a spelling checker and grammar checker for Afrikaans.

Click here to visit the site and to buy online.

3 Listen to Afrikaans Radio

Under the link GENERAL > LANGUAGE LINKS, you will find access to Afrikaans radio on the Internet. Try to listen often.

 

Inside this Website

Step 1 – Do the Pronunciation

If you are a complete beginner, focus on pronunciation for at least a week -- that is if you spend about 15 minutes here per day. Systematically go through the SPECIFIC FOCUS, and concurrently listen to stories and fables etc. and see how well you do on your pronunciation. Be patient and pay attention to details. Doing so now will build a solid basis that will really pay off. Focus on mastery of each SPECIFIC FOCUS lesson in Pronunciation. Build your inner voice till you can trust your own judgment well. Then move on to the other sections.

It is of great value to be able to pronounce, even if you were not going to master the language. In and of itself, it is a worthwhile activity. Go over the pronunciation nodes more than once. Initially listen intently. Do not immediately jump to production. Sometimes being overly eager might cause you to ingrain incorrect pronunciation if it is built upon a premature perception of the sound. Guess what, perceptions are often shaky at the outset, and if you listen more in the beginning, you form a solid and accurate perception.

Once you have gone through the whole pronunciation unit at least twice, it is time to try your new skills with a native speaker. Take some Afrikaans text to a native speaker and read to them. They will give you praise (hopefully) and point out some issues you need to work on some more. If you do not know any Afrikaans speakers, I will be happy to call you anywhere in North America (Noord-Amerika). You can also possibly use Skype to talk to others via the Internet.

Step 2 – Vocabulary

The grammar follows a sequential progression. Do it one lesson at a time, and review old materials before you move on. Reviewing is vital – build it into your schedule. Some vocabulary lists tie directly to grammar lessons (e.g. Question words and the lesson of making questions). With these two domains in particular, the software will be of great use. A basic multiple choice only online version is available for vocabulary learning only. Click HERE to access this drill and practice environment. This software will be upgraded in time.

The vocabulary section will eventually be divided in a beginner and advanced section. Many interactive exercises will allow you to learn vocabulary. The downloadable copy of FLEXiTUTOR is much more advanced than the online version and allows you to learn in several ways.  It covers vocabulary and grammar thoroughly. If you are interested in getting this Windows-based software, send a message to the author by clicking on the FEEDBACK link at the bottom of the page.

Step 3 – Grammar

The grammar section if vital of course. These materials have been developed, but it still has to be added to the Web site. The projected release of the grammar section is for July 2009.

Step 4 – The Contextuary

After the Vocabulary and Grammar sections, the Contextuary will become a useful domain. Here you will engage in divergent activities to test your perceptions. Activities here include skills in conversation, writing, and listening. It contains words t hat English speakers often confuse. It also contains idioms, and sayings.

Step 5 -- Culture

You can read the culture section any time. As you become more familiar with the language, you will want to ask questions, try out your language, and learn about the speakers, etc. When we come to this stage, we will seek for innovative opportunities to make this happen.

(If you find any errors, please click on the FEEDBACK link at the bottom of the screen to send me a message. Please copy the page's URL before clicking on the link and paste the URL in the message, and explain what is not working well.)

Advies aan Nederlandstaliges

Passiewe Benadering

a. Raak bewus van algemene verskille, byvoorbeeld, die werwoord in die infinitiewe form het geen –EN soos in Nederlands. NL=leren AF=leer.

Begin Afrikaans lees. Byvoorbeeld, lees daagliks die nuus op Afrikikaans. Op my webwerf is ‘n spul webskakels.

Aktiewe Benadering

Luister na Afrikaans en kopieer die uitspraak, soos ‘n Brit wat die Amerikaanse tongval probeer naboots. Daar is heelwat Afrikaans op die webwerf. Hou vol daarmee totdat u gemaklik voel met die Afrikaanse uitspraak. Luister byvoorbeeld na Stef Bos. Hy doen goed met die Suid-Afrikaanse tongval.

Netwerk met Afrikaans sprekendes. Daar is Afrikaanse sprekendes in Nederland, of maak kontak met Afrikaans sprekendes op Skype. Gesprekke met Afrikaans sprekendes sal jou oor instel en jou help om die klank aan te voel. Eerlik, met ‘n senstiwiteit vir die uitspraak, sal jy vind die woordeskat en grammatika sal heel natuurlik volg.

Spreekt uw Nederlands en Afrikaans? Dan verwelkom ek graag u bydraes aangaande algemene en belangrike verskille tussen die twee tale. Klik op die FEEDBACK skakel onderaan die pagina.

Skakels van Belang vir Nederlanders

Afrikaans-Nederlandse Woordelys 1
Afrikaans-Nederlandse Woordelys 2
Afrikaans-Nederlands-English Comparison
Afrikaans-Dutch Forum
Afrikaans-Dutch Written Forms
Afrikaans-Dutch Resources