Find your Afrikaans tutors near me in Vereeniging

Afrikaans Lessons in Vereeniging

Fear is the Key! That’s the name of an Alistair Maclean novel which was made into a very popular and successful movie way back in the early 70’s.

It (fear) is, however, not the key when launching yourself into the learning of a new language, such as Afrikaans. The fact that you’re considering such a daunting venture is already testimony to your vision and single-minded sense of purpose. A large dose of determination and grit is also required as your make your way through unknown waters.

Did I say unknown? That is actually not the truth. Many languages are somehow related or have common roots. Afrikaans and English, for instance, both have Germanic roots and, so, if you speak one of the three languages referred to here, you actually have a foot in the door. The key here would, of course, be starting to practise using the language and hearing yourself speak it, which very often may sound strange or weird, at least to you. Never fear! Fortune favours the brave!

Why Learn Ons Taal?

Your motivation or the impetus for getting you to learn Afrikaans must be abundantly clear to you. It is going to be the light that guides you through the darkest times when you feel that the going is getting too tough. Aanhouer wen!

It may be that a promotion at work is dependent on a very good knowledge of Afrikaans, because you will be required to interact with an Afrikaans-speaking clientele on a daily basis. Or you may be considering a job with an insurance company called Virseker, whose motto is Ons praat jou taal! In such an environment, you would be speaking Afrikaans almost exclusively during your working day. You may be a foreign student who is going to spend a period of time in Vereeniging with an Afrikaans-speaking host family. So, out of respect for them as well as it being strategically sensible, you feel the need to learn their taal.

So, you’re in Vereeniging, Gauteng, about 54 km south of Johannesburg. Its name roughly means “association” and refers to the coal-mining coalition which owned the town way back in 1892. Learning Afrikaans and becoming conversant in it, will definitely stand you in good stead in this, a traditionally Afrikaans, environment.

There will, inevitably, be times when your path will cross those of Afrikaans native speakers. To create an environment of mutual respect it would be beneficial if you, at least, attempted to learn their language. Once your host or companion perceives that you are attempting to learn his/her language, your relationship will grow in leaps and bounds. A sense of well-being and a relaxed atmosphere will, from that point forward, permeate all future interaction.

How do I learn Afrikaans?

One of the best ways to learn a foreign language is through spending time, every day, with people who are native speakers. They will be an indispensable resource as they guide and direct your progress through a language which they use with great pride, cognisant of its history and how it has shaped their culture and traditions.

A brilliant option is also immersion, where you would live with a family who will take responsibility for helping you progress in their mother tongue. No doubt, you will also be exposed to their cuisine, cultural traditions, dress code and distinct sense of humour.

Read Afrikaans magazines or newspapers to expand your vocabulary. Your exposure to these publications will have the additional benefit of helping understand the way Afrikaans-speakers view the world.

Another fun way to expand your vocabulary and understanding of spoken Afrikaans is to watch Afrikaans soapies and series on TV. A number of these are broadcast with sub-titles which will help you follow the story line and enhance your overall enjoyment of the movie or episode.

Where Can I Learn Die Mooi Taal?

If immersion is not an option, you will have to opt for learning Afrikaans through one of a number of institutions in this city of around 100 000 inhabitants.

Here, opportunities abound for you to enrol for Afrikaans classes at a language school or private college. You can then pursue a course to improve your competence in the use of Afrikaans. Such an environment would suit someone who thrives in social settings and has a high threshold in terms of public exposure, in a sense, being unafraid of failure or being embarrassed in a group setting. You would, in all probability, enjoy the sense of camaraderie with your fellow-students, as you are all on a similar journey of growth and discovery. A perfect candidate would be someone, newly off the school benches who doesn’t feel ready for or doesn’t see the necessity of studying Afrikaans at varsity level. They may feel that all they need are extra Afrikaans lesson to bring them up to speed with whatever their current role requires of them.

If it is your intention to pursue Afrikaans as an academic subject beyond matric, then you should consider registering at Unisa (the University of South Africa). There you can commence under-graduate studies which will culminate in a full academic degree and possibly lead to studies at doctoral level. These qualifications would open the door to you teaching at high school, college or university level.

Consider a private tutor if you prefer working closely with one individual and where you would only work in a larger group once you are reasonably proficient.

Superprof, an online platform, will link you with skilled, highly proficient, passionate and caring individuals. Your choice of tutor would range from a stay-at-home mom to a high school teacher with many years experience of teaching Afrikaans. Their low rates run from R50 all the way through to R200, with the majority pegged at R150. Such low fees are rare!

Also, your first lesson will, in most cases, be at no charge to you. This will give you the opportunity to suss out which tutor will ideal for you, your needs and specific level of ability.

There are a few other factors you need to consider, such as whether you want to travel, have the tutor travel to you or if you will do your classes online.  

Once you’ve identified the tutor of your choice, set a date and a time en begin jou lesse in alle erns.

The door’s wide open, so kom binne asseblief!