"isiXhosa for Beginners" South African Language

This lecture gives you an updated ebook which will contain more information than the supplied course content.  The latter will also be updated soon.

A detailed history of the AmaXhosa

Learn the unique sounds of isiXhosa - vital for correct pronunciation

Further exploration of the sounds of isiXhosa

There are three basic click sounds in isiXhosa, each with a number of variations.  here we find the "c" click , articulated by placing your tongue on the ridge behind your teeth and pulling away, making the sound as heard on the video

In this lecture, you will learn how to exchange greetings, ask people how they are and comment about the weather

In this lecture, you will be taken through a series of weather conditions and learn how to comment about them in isiXhosa

This is an opportunity for you to have a conversation with me and talk back and practice your Xhosa pronunciation. You can download this audio and practice it anytime, whether at home or while taking long drives.

In this lecture, you will learn how to establish another's name, surname, place of residence and origin

It frequently happens that people feel unwell and wish to be able to express this in isiXhosa.  Here is a lesson on some of the most common ailments

In this lecture, you will learn (a) how to identify certain parts of your body, (b) the different ways of saying "I have" in isiXhosa and then (c) how to extend this by saying "I have two.../ ten....  In the process, you will notice the different ways in which "two" is expressed in isiXhosa when linked to different parts of the body.  This forms a prelude to the following section, where you learn to state that you "have" issues in certain parts of your body with which you are now familiar.

Here the previous lecture is broken down into individual clips for you to listen to, try to guess the meaning and pause the video if necessary

Having identified certain parts of the body in the previous lecture, we now look at how to state that you "have" ailments in parts of the body with which you are now familiar

This video will cover the common ailments - Each recording will be played twice before being flipped.  If you need more time to guess the translation, pause the video.  I hope you find it helpful.

A list of what you absolutely have to do when you arrive in South Africa - something we are constantly adding to.

A list and links so some South African and isiXhosa music which can aid your learning experiance

Here six family members introduce themsleves and state where they fit in, in the family

Here the six family members state their roles in the family structure e.g."I am Peter's father"

Here the six family members express who belongs to them in the family. e.g "Peter and Sally are my children"

Here we discuss marital status, the number of children and whom we stay with at home.

In this video we take you through 25 flash cards which will teach you key phrases about your home setup

• Additional members of the family and kinship terms

• Current activities
• Other work-related expressions / occupations

In the smae way we have discussed what "I" and "we" do and who we are, we now do the same with regard to what "he /she" and "they" do.

Here you will learn how to state that you are still a learner and acquire some phrases helping you to communicate and build rapport with your listener.

This video contains randomised flash cards enabling you to listen to key phrases on the topic

In this lesson, you will learn how to answer the telephone, discuss someone's availability / unavailability and how to take a message

In this video lesson, you can listen to cue cards twice and then try to see if you know the meaning.  You can pause the video if you need more time to think.

In this lesson you will learn how to establish someone else's telephone and email details

In this lesson, you will learn the isiXhosa terms for the days of the week, the times of the day and the activities associated with each phase.

In this video, you are given time to think about the translation of the audio clip.  Pause the video if you require more time.  I hope you find it helpful.

The days of the week gave you a brief introduction to how to count in isiXhosa - Counting can be quite daunting because of the different ways in which the use of the number terms changes as the nouns vary.  In this video we look at how to count people in response to the questions 1. How many are there? and 2. How many do you see (in the picture)?

Having counted people in the previous lecture, we now look at counting objects - Note how the question and responses change

In this lecture, you will learn how to describe the home exterior, in terms of size, age, and colour, etc

In this lecture, you will learn how to describe the interior of a home , the various rooms, furnishings etc.

In this lecture, you will be able to slowly work your way through randomised flash cards, detailing the home interior and exterior appearance.

Learn all the vocabulary and phrases pertaining to a normal (uncooked)breakfast

Listen to and read the breakfast flash cards in this video

Watch a video that slowly takes your through all the phrases and vocabulary pertaining to a cooked breakfast

In this lesson, we look at making a simple sandwich for lunch, followed by tea/coffee

Here you will be able to work through the flash cards, in leisurely fashion.  Pause the video if you need more time to think

In this lesson, you will learn relevant vocabulary and phrases used in the activity of washing dishes after a meal has been enjoyed.

In this lecture, you are presented with a number of pictures, introducing you to the basic colours.

In this lecture, you will see and learn how the same concept can be expressed in different ways in isiXhosa, as the prefix of the noun in question, changes.

Here you will learn to describe a variety of objects using different adjectives.  Note how the noun reference used with the adjective changes from noun to noun

We continue to describe nouns in terms of different adjectives.  In the process you will also be adding some very useful words and descriptions to your everyday repertoire!

In this lecture you will learn how to change the isiXhosa noun to its "Place where" form. You will notice the role platyed by the final vowel of the noun.

In this lecture you will encounter more examples of how the "Place Where" word is formed and reinforce the rules.

In this lecture, you will learn how to ask the question e.g. "Where is it?" and notice how the form of the question changes in accordance with the prefix of the noun.  Secondly, you will learn how to use the form of the question as a clue as to how to form the answer.

In the first part of this lecture we learn how to state that you are "going to" ot "coming from" people.  You will notive that we no longer use the initial place indicating "e-".  Secondly, we look at where we could experience problems on the body.  In the process of forming some "place where words, difficult to pronounce sound combinations arise. Learn how isiXhosa gets around this problem.

Here we look at basic items required when we go to the beach

Here we look at activities on the beach

Learn to identify the species of animals you are likely to encounter when visiting a South African game park.

Here you will ecounter vocabulary and phrases pertaining to activities in church

Learn key phrases, beginning with welcoming delegates to a meeting and encouraging participation

In this video, you will learn how to further control meeting proceeding and also bring it to a close

In this lesson, you will learn key phrases enabling you to participate in a meeting in isiXhosa