What learners say about Xhosa Fundis!
Email from Nicky Irving:
I can’t believe that I haven’t been able to speak Xhosa before – a real shame. Your course structure is fantastic as it makes it possible to start TALKING straight away! I will never master everything that you have to teach but the essence is embedded because of the way you have designed your lesson sessions.
I feel like a whole window has been opened, and am enriched every day because of it.
Thank you all for such a generous course.
Email from Thekla Schwager:
“I have loved learning Xhosa and am sorry I didn’t do it sooner. It makes interacting with Xhosa people from all walks of life such a rewarding experience, not mention all the laughs when you make mistakes, its a great ice breaker. Because Xhosa is so different to European lanuages I have found that learning it has been a great brain teaser and I have noticed that my memory in general has improved! This is will certainly be a life long journey to for me, I want to keep going till I can easily communicate!”
Email from Lisa Mitford:
I just had to write and tell you it was absolutely amazing doing the whole garage thing in Xhosa this morning – first time I’ve been able to have an ENTIRE interaction with a Xhosa speaker in Xhosa without lapsing into English, very empowering feeling!
Enkosi kakulu!
Lisa
Email from Robyn-Anne Schoeman 21/4/2011:
I just wanted to thank you so much for the wonderful way in which Course 1 and 2 were presented. I enjoyed every aspect of the courses, although my time for learning and practising on my own in course 2 was limited.
This has been so worthwhile for me and has really enriched my daily life. Highly recommended!!
Kind regards / Sala Kakuhle
Robyn Schoeman
Email from Roland Cox 18/3/2011:
The offer you’ve made is fantastic, thank you. Very generous of you! I will certainly take you up on it. AND.. I will promote Xhosa Fundis as much as possible. Besides this offer, I have found the whole set up professional yet warm. And I’d like to support that. J
Roland
Email from Monique Barling 23 Feb 2011:
I have done the homework for both this lesson and next weeks.
Thanks again for sending the recap.
and ps..of all the language classes I’ve done in the past (spanish, xhosa, etc) this is by far the best and most useful
Chat soon
Monique
Reference Letter written by Juanita van Wyk (2010):
I attended a Beginner’s Course with Xhosa Fundis which comprised 6 x lessons, with follow up emails, revision books and a CD.
The benefits of this course included basic understanding of greetings and general “beginners’ conversations.” I found I was able to begin conversing with Xhosa speaking acquaintances about general topics such as work, weather, well-being and the like, which certainly assisted with breaking down barriers. The course also empowered me to feel confident about approaching and interacting with Xhosa speakers. I felt that this cultural exchange encouraged a literal and figurative opening of dialogue.
Other positive aspects of the course include excellent learning materials such as an easy to understand workbook and a reference CD that was invaluable for pronunciation revision. There is regular feedback and revision so that one can continually assess one’s own progress and extra reminders such as the Pin Me Ups help to keep revision fresh.
The course was conducted by two instructors which meant that there was ample attention combined with a fun approach to learning. Interesting games and exercises also helped to consolidate the work. Being taught by both an English speaking and a Xhosa speaking teacher was important, as help could be offered to our “English thinking brains” whilst learning to think and speak in a different language. The homework exercises were well constructed and the learning materials are so accessible that they can be revisited for a refresher as needed.
It really has broken down barriers! Now all my Xhosa colleagues send me Facebook messages! And mostly people are really supportive and don’t judge when I make mistakes. It has been amazing!
Juanita van Wyk
Fundraiser The Music Therapy Community Clinic
021 671 5196 083 233 7531
Email received from Kate Gray (2009):
Molo titshalakazi
I just want to say that I am really enjoying the course.
I am so impressed with your variety of teaching methods and of materials used (being an ex-teacher, I know how much work and trialing must have gone into this).
The real backbone for me in the time between lessons are the CDs, which I repeatedly play…often starting again at the beginning.
It is also very helpful to go through the written material (including the ‘extras – which gradually make more sense and definitely enrich the experience).
I am trying to make more opportunities to engage in conversation, and overcome my natural reluctance to ‘open my mouth’…. And thanks to you it is definitely getting a lot better!
Ube nempelaveki emnandi
Kate Gray
Email received from Benito Vergotine (27/8/08)
Now when I get to work I can converse in Xhosa with the Security Personnel, Daniel. It is incredibly enriching being able to communicate in Xhosa. I can’t help but feel somewhat embarrassed at only making the effort now. So far the best experience was conversing at the garage one night while buying gas, it was stop and start but I remember feeling quite exhilarated when I left.
Email from Julie Marchand (April 2008)
I just wanted to drop a few lines to thank you again for the quality of the Xhosa course you gave us. Since I finished the first course, I have been working in Masiphumelele. It is quite a challenge to be respected by the kids, as they know that my isiXhosa is limited; but with the time it’s getting better. Most of all, meeting Xhosa people has become much more heart-warming since I can speak Xhosa kancinci. The kids often laugh when I speak Xhosa to them, or correct me (so funny!) but the adults always compliment the effort! Some of them even teach me some more! I must say that I am really glad I took your course.
Another thing, I teach French to my colleagues and I used the pin-me-ups and the bingo methods that you taught us. My students just love it and it is so effective! So, for the learning methodology, I thank you as well!
Take care
Julie Marchand
Email written from a student to her friends (April 2008):
Hey Everyone!
A couple of years ago we participated in an introductory Xhosa course, given by Kyle Hudson in Woodstock.
It was an amaaaaazing experience. Kyle and her fellow Xhosa mother-tongue teacher were wonderful: they patiently repeated words and sentences until they started to stick, they came up with creative games and tricks to teach us vocab, and they even made the grammar fun (imagine that!). And they put a huge amount of effort into teaching us about the language of our Xhosa-speaking brothers and sisters.
And if you find this too daunting for you on your own, pass it on to your friends! Perhaps one of them will be really keen to go with you? Richard and I went together, and found that it was really helpful to have someone to practice with between the classes.
Go on, expand your horizons!
Reggie.
Email received from Flick Thorpe on completing our course (December 2007):
Molo Sisi
Enkosi kakhulu for the course. I enjoyed it very much. As fellow language teacher, I was very impressed with your teaching methodology, the materials and the structure of the course. You really have succeeded in creating a course which is very user friendly for busy adults – and effective! I was speaking the first few phrases confidently within the first week and after 5 weeks could hold a short conversation. Well done, and all the best for the future.
Yours, Flick Thorpe
Reference from John Raimondo to his friends (2005)
Dear Friends
I have been seeking a good isiXhosa teacher for some time as I feel it is important to learn the language that is spoken by some many of the people with whom I interact. I did quite a bit of research on this and even had a few false starts, but now have found the right person.
I have been so impressed with her approach, support, innovations and manner that I want to recommend her to any of you who may be thinking of learning the language.
The teacher is Kyle Hudson tel: 021 4479868 [lessons are at her house in Woodstock]. Check the course at www.xhosafundis.co.za or email her at molo@new.co.za
Best wishes
John Raimondo
PS I have no shares in the business – it is just so nice to find someone doing the job so well!