Learn Afrikaans online

Learning Afrikaans

Learning a new language is undoubtedly an enriching and, possibly, a life-changing experience. Not only does one learn the grammar of the language, but you will be exposed to its history (origin) and the rich vein of influences that runs through it. Your way of looking at its native language speakers will change forever and you will also look at the world differently, as if you’re processing information through a different lens. You will be exposed to the Afrikaans-speaker’s (called Afrikaners, depending on their degree of fervour for the language) world; his/her culture, traditions, food and activities which could include rugby, jukskei, boeremusiek and sokkiedans. If you were invited to an Afrikaans-speaker’s home, you might be treated to a braai (South African barbecue), bobotie (spiced minced meat with an egg-based topping) or koeksisters (fried dough infused with syrup). Good enough reason to consider immersion, I would say!

The language was so revered by the Afrikaans-speaking sector of the South African population, that a strikingly, tall monument was erected in its honour in the Paarl, Western Cape. Festivals, celebrating the language, are arranged and very well attended every year and include the Klein Karoo Festival (April in Oudtshoorn) and the Aardklop Arts Festival in Potchefstroom. The Voortrekker Monument was erected to commemorate the Great Trek, which, in the 1830s, saw Voortrekkers (literally “fore-trekkers”) wanting to leaving behind the rigid controls being put in place by the British authorities. Yes, fiercely independent and unafraid they were as a people and, largely, still are. The Afrikaans language will only ever be fully known when seen through their eyes and through those who may speak it, but actually be opposed to their views.

When studying Afrikaans, for instance, you will soon start recognising the beautiful simplicity of the language. It can be very concise and, yet, very descriptive, as is the case of the word “beeldskoon” used to describe something that’s as pretty as a picture. One word has been used to say all of that and mean so much more! Another interesting feature of the language is that a single word is used to describe an object, like “badkamervenster” (bathroom window). An extreme example is the longest word in the Afrikaans language which contains 136 letters and means “issuable media conference's announcement at a press release regarding the convener's speech at a second-hand car dealership union's strike meeting”. You would obviously encounter this anomaly when reading the language as opposed to speaking it. Notwithstanding, it makes the language very interesting!

It is from this language that the world has inherited words like “aardvark”, “meerkat”, “veld” and “trek”.

Afrikaans online

The Internet has a myriad resources and sites related to Afrikaans are numerous. One site allows you access to online audio material free of charge, which covers topics at university level. Topics of Afrikaans grammar, at an advanced level, are also explained. A few English based textbooks are available, in various forms, on the Internet; the audio recording of Complete Afrikaans (Lydia McDermott) and Teach Yourself Afrikaans (Helena van Schalkwyk) as an eBook or in print.

Several sites offer Afrikaans lessons and activities at no charge (gratis- an Afrikaans word). Most have audio that has been recorded by native speakers. There are fun Afrikaans learning games for kids and students. They cover phrases, numbers and vocabulary from grade 1 to high school and even university level.

Apps (applications) can also be found, on Google Play, which support young ones in their learning exposing them to core words and phrases through short lessons which have been planned and arranged in themes or units. One site has a 4.7 review, on a 5-point scale, with virtually no negative reviews. Some users did experience difficulties in respect of sound quality and found that the paid-for version was better and offered them more choices.

Another site suggests that you could learn Afrikaans in 30 minutes (on YouTube). How effective this is, relates, of course, to how in-depth a study of the language you require. That will, no doubt, be determined by your reason/s for wanting to study Afrikaans. These could be many, but one thing is certain: you can’t go wrong by turning to the Internet and to Superprof, in particular.

Connecting with an Afrikaans tutor online

A quick search on the Internet will soon reveal where you can find Afrikaans lessons online.

An online Afrikaans tutor would be indispensable to any novice wanting to learn the language. S/he would be a valuable resource in terms of correcting, mispronunciation, phrasing statements and questions in the different tenses and, in particular, in guiding you through Afrikaans idioms and the unusual double negative which Afrikaans employs. For example, I am not hungry would translate to “Ek is nie honger nie”. This would be totally anathema to the English grammar police, because the second “nie” would cancel out the first and leave the statement as reflecting something positive – the exact opposite of what was intended. “Maar nie hier nie – die is Suid-Afrika en die is Afrikaans!” (But not here – this is South Africa and this is Afrikaans).*

How to find an Afrikaans tutor on Superprof

Advertisements for language tutors appear in many forms and places: local language schools, store- and community notice boards and even on Facebook and gumtree. A simple Google search, entitled “private Afrikaans tutors” would bring up numerous offerings. A simple option would be to use Superprof. Your search for an online Afrikaans tutor could not be easier!

Superprof is a forum which brings teachers and learners are brought together. It offers a rich pool of more than 700 online private Afrikaans tutors who have a variety of backgrounds. Considering your budget, you can select the best candidate to fulfil your need based on the individual’s experience and the level at which they’re qualified to teach. It’s also quite easy to compare tutors because their profiles are all similarly formatted. You have the added advantage of being able to read reviews of former students and check out a tutor’s experience, education and approach.

To top all of that, most Superprof tutors offer their first lesson free of charge. You can now decide, in your own time, whether you and the tutor are a good match. Lastly, Superprof tutors are an ardent bunch who love teaching and accelerating your learning. Surely, it’s time to dust off your Breytenbach, roll your Rs and surf through our abundant pool of online Afrikaans tutors. Today!