» ISIZULU

Click here for an overview of IsiZulu: Why IsiZulu? Means of assesment Department staff

isiZulu is the most widely spoken first language in South Africa. IsiZulu is understood by 80% and spoken in almost 65% of the South African community. There are 1.5 million IsiZulu speakers in Gauteng and over 70 000 in Mpumalanga. IsiZulu is also spoken and understood in parts of Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Kenya (Swahili).

St Johns offers IsiZulu from Pre-Prep to Matric. Pupils can choose to do IsiZulu as a First Additional Language (2nd) or as a Second Additional language (3rd) Language from Remove (Grade 8).

• By the time pupils reach Matric, they are expected to:
• Effectively and confidently participate in a wide range of communication
• Express own feelings, opinions, view points, ideas and react to those of others
• Appropriately produce a wide variety of texts in different contexts
• Use the structures and conventions of IsiZulu confidently and effectively

Although reading and writing skills will be developed, the emphasis is on developing listening and speaking skills.

From UIV (grade 10) the demands of the language increase, yet enriching. Pupils are encouraged to speak the language, revise vocabulary at every opportunity or join “Asikhulume “ which is an afternoon activity where they freely engage in conversation in IsiZulu with other ppupils. In IsiZulu we say: “uvuna okutshalile” (you reap what you sow) no amount of ‘umuthi’ guarantees success - its just hard work!!!

Why IsiZulu?

• Our goal is to facilitate meaningful communication with IsiZulu speakers – promote multilingualism and intercultural communication
• Pupils will learn about and understand the culture and norms of IsiZulu and other black communities. Lack of knowledge and understanding other cultures often lead to misunderstanding between people
• We strongly believe that a language is the powerful tool of facilitating the understanding of cultural diversity in our rainbow nation. We value IsiZulu not just as a language but as a life-long learning skill
• Learning IsiZulu will enhance opportunities in the job market, especially pupils who wish to study Medicine, where knowledge of IsiZulu is a requirement
• Our pupils receive individual attention and consolidation classes
• We are proud of our excellent Matric results in this subject since its introduction at St Johns

Means of assesment: IUV-UV First Additional language (2nd)

• Paper I (LO2 and LO4) 2½ hours [100]
• Paper II (LO3 and LO4) 2½ hours [100]
• Continuous Assessment: Portfolio [100]
• Oral [100]

Means of assesment: IUV-UV Second Additional language (3rd)

• Paper I (LO2 and LO4) 2 hours [100]
• Paper II (LO3 and LO4) 2 hours [100]
• Continuous Assessment: Portfolio [100]
• Oral [100]

Isizulu department staff

Nomusa Ndlovu
Head of Department –isiZulu
BA BED (Unisa), Training and Development Diploma (UJ)