Afrikaans Resources

Well, this was not a very productive week where schooling is concerned. After a trip to the doctor on Sunday, I picked up an allergy to the prescribed antibiotics. I spent a few days with itchy face & eyes & had to return to the doctor on Wednesday.

Of course the boys enjoyed mommy having to “sleep” it off. After all, if mommy’s sick, they can’t do school…

But I have taken some time to research our options for teaching the boys Afrikaans next year as an alternative to the mundane workbooks they’ve been using this year since they enjoy interactive learning so much more.

Here’s what I’ve found so far:

• Open Languages The Author's Background: The author is a native Afrikaans speaker. He studied at the University of South Africa and at the University of Pretoria, before coming to the USA, where he started the Afrikaans program at BYU in 1985. Presently the Afrikaans program at BYU is under the direction of Barry Hornabrook, a former South African ambassador. The materials developed for the BYU program are the basis for this Web-based course. The paper-based version of course has been used at several universities in the USA to teach hundreds of students. The goal is that this Web-based version will teach hundreds, if not thousands more. Just in case you are wondering about the hat -- it is a true African hat, made in Zimbabwe.
• Eurotalk This one could be a good starting point. Free .pdf file that contains Language Note, Alphabet & Pronunciation, Vocabulary & Afrikaans- English Dictionary
• Easy Afrikaans is aimed at anyone who wants to start learning the Afrikaans language or just wants to learn a few useful words and phrases before their next visit.
• Talk-Now--Learn-Afrikaans---Beginning-Level
• Linguata ~ Learn_Afrikaans Linguata offers a Free Afrikaans software trial that gives you the freedom to learn Afrikaans words and phrases in a modern, practical and fun way with an emphasis on rapid vocabulary development.
• Digital Dialects website features free to use online games for learning languages. Language resources include games for learning phrases, numbers, useful words, spelling, verb conjugation and alphabets. Games use Macromedia Flash Player.
• Language Quests for Afrikaans Educational Software.
• Multilingualbooks CD-ROM Course for Afrikaans
• Aramedia World Talk is aimed at intermediate level learners who have already built up some confidence listening to and speaking the language. The interactive games and quizzes will help to further develop fluency and understanding of the language.
• Byki Free Language Software
• Languages on the go starts teaching Afrikaans visually with the “Visual-Flash-Card-System”

  Play the Video Files on you Computer, Laptop, Ipod Video. This will give you the necessary mental image to associate the new-phonetics-words with. Then, review your learning by listening to mp3 audio files with your mp3 player; Reinforcing your learning.

• Language Learning System online Afrikaans Video with Basic Phrases & Pronunciation.

Visit my Foreign Languages page for my most recent updates on Afrikaans & Foreign Language Resources.