Lingq

Lingq is a great online programme for learning languages. Unfortunately is doesn't offer afrikaans yet but you can go vote for Afrikaans to be next language at https://www.facebook.com/questions/10150249705278786/

Listening is Learning

Since I am Afrikaans I might not understand the problems that you are experiencing. Eventhough I am learning French and Setswana and understanding the difficulties in learning a new languages, I think that language learning is a personal journey. Please tell me what you are in need of so that I can make the blog more relevant to you. Listening is learning.

If you want to listen to online afrikaans radio got to http://www.rsg.co.za/. This is not a radio station that I can listen to the whole day as it is really diverse. There is something for everyone, so check their programme schedule and choose something you like or expand your interests.

Digital Dialects

This site helps you learn vocabulary through lists and an accompanying game for every list. This is meant for beginners and the site is easy to use. Hopefully this site will expand their content in the future as it is a great method of learning for both children and adults.

Openlanguages Afrikaans

Dr.Jacques du Plessis form the University of Wisconsin has done an amazing job with this website.This site deserves a visit and that is why I am not going to describe it in detail. I don't think that there is a site as clear and comprehensive as this.

 The content is relevant, audio clips are of great quality and there is sometimes a youtube video to supplement the "lesson". 

Language learning does not have to be a morbid process and this "oom" has shown that it can be done in an interactive mult-media way. Well done to Dr.Jacques du Plessis and Openlanguages!

mylanguages.org Afrikaans

This is a great online resource site for beginners. The categories are clear and diverse helping you gain a basic vocabulary. Unfortunately the audio clips are not well recorded and have a lot of background noise. Visit the site at  http://mylanguages.org/learn_afrikaans.php

BYKI Transparent

BYKI stands for Before You Know It and is one of the best language learning resources you will ever find on the net! It offers 70 different languages, Afrikaans and Zulu being the only 2 South African languages thus far. There is both free and paid for versions available.

Download the free version at http://www.transparent.com/language-resources/free-software.html and then you can also join their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/learn.afrikaans . It is a great program so if you can, do buy the full version.

The program allows you download lists of the particular language that can then be learned through it's virtual flash card method. To complete a list you need to: Step 1 Preview it, Step 2 Recognize it and then Step 3 Produce it.

The program is easy to use with a well designed interface.

Please send me your review of the program.

Free Resources!

Have a look at these following sites:


http://www.freelang.net/dictionary/afrikaans.php



http://www.openlanguages.net/afrikaans/



http://www.transparent.com/learn-afrikaans/



http://www.linguata.com/linguata/Learn_Afrikaans.html



http://africanlanguages.com/afrikaans/



http://download.cnet.com/windows/3055-2279_4-75547916.html?tag=pdl-redir





You can also download children's posters at http://www.sparklebox.co.uk/sa/afrikaans/ if you think it my help you.

5 Categories

In my language learning experience I have learned that you have to customize your way of learning according to your daily life, needs/wants and interests. But I strongly advise that beginners at least give attention to these 5 areas. You can choose whatever ratio suits you best but don’t leave any out! I will also try and tag posts under these 5 categories.

Music – Select music from genres that you like or discover something new. Listening to music will not only help you with pronunciation and listening skills but also provide you with some cultural background. This way of learning will not feel like as if you are studying, which is great! You can always search myspace music for new artists and find the lyrics translations on the web. This is probably the best resource and most fun way in learning a new language. MK is the Afrikaans music channel on DSTV.

Culture – Language and Culture are interlinked. They way things are said explains the habits and customs of the people and sometimes only make sense when you understand the context. Knowing the culture will connect your academic knowledge of the language to the people and real life situations. Speaking to a native speaker will also greatly improve you language learning experience, pronunciation and correct any mistakes you make. Don’t be scared to speak, everyone sounds like an idiot when they start off! It is also good to learn to be able to laugh at yourself too, because most of the times people laugh because your mistake is really funny, other times they are just ignorant monolinguals.

Vocabulary - It pays off to sometimes learn vocabulary like a parrot, but if this is not for you, you can just be attentive in learning new words throughout your studies. Good methods are either making lists, flash cards or writing newly acquired words down. You will also pick up words through listening to music and watching films with the subtitles turned on. If you live in South Africa, you can watch the news and 7e Laan series on SABC2. If you are a DSTV subscriber you can watch KykNet(diverse), Kowee (children) or MKTV (Music)

Grammar - The equations of sentences and all the exceptions that go with it! This is not my favourite area but even I must admit the importance of grammar as structural element in learning any language. I personally don’t study grammar but rather learn it through the other 4 areas. But this means that I have to pay special attention to where words are in a sentence, how they change and how complete sentences are constructed in different times etc. If something doesn’t make sense either make the effort to find out why or study it like a parrot and maybe later on it will make sense.

Podcasts, films etc - There are not any audio podcasts yet available for Afrikaans but I will try and make some in the future. You can search on Youtube for some video casts. Luckily there are many films in Afrikaans, most of the good ones unfortunately old and in black and white, but still worth the watch. There are some new Afrikaans movies that are good but just as many that are “kommen”, with bad acting and storylines but might still help you in learning the language

Welkom!

Since so many people have asked me to help them learn Afrikaans and Setswana, or have joined me in learning French, I have decided to start a blog for each. There isn’t much here yet but I promise to upload something every week. Also please send any suggestions/request.