Frequently Asked Questions

Please read through our frequently asked questions before contacting us with any questions. We try answer the most comment questions here.

• General FAQ's
• Xhosa Lesson FAQ's
• Xhosa Products FAQ's
• Online Learning FAQ's
• Culture Tours FAQ's

General FAQ's

Question : How do i join the newsletter?
Answer : go to http://www.learnxhosa.co.za and click on Newsletter link on the right of the page.  Or see to the right on this very page....

Question : Who is the guy in white and why is he dressed so funny?
Answer : That is Craigieji Makhos, founder of UBuntu Bridge who lived for 8 months as trainee healer in a rural village. He believes that his calling was not to become a traditional doctor but rather to build bridges between the different cultures in SA through language and culture lessons as well as cultural immersion experiences.

Xhosa Lessons FAQ's

Question : When are the next course dates?
Answer : See: http://www.learnxhosa.com/beginner-lessons.html

Question : Which course should I do? What level am I at?
Answer : - See detailed CD/Course content here: http://www.learnxhosa.com/lessons.html. Level 1 is designed for absolute beginners who know nothing. However, many people who did know those basics found it extremely useful to recover it and get a feel for the way in which our style of Xhosa teaching is structured. You can also email us and we will send you our level assessments to help gauge your level.

Question : Am I going to be able to speak fluent Xhosa after the course?
Answer : You will know how to confidently approach Xhosa people, greet, introduce yourself, be polite and respectful, communicate clearly your Xhosa speaking ability, ask for help, ask and answer some polite questions in various conversational contexts and finally to escape a conversation. What you put in is what you get out. Each CD gives you more and more conversational ability, but becoming fluent in a language depends on how much effort you put in to learning and how much time you spend practicing with mother tongue speakers. It is a journey. We know how to get you started and how to support you along the way. 

Question : After the course, will a person be able to speak Xhosa?
Answer : You will be speaking Xhosa during and after the first lesson. From there you keep learning.

Question : And how long will it take me to speak the language fluently?
Answer : Fluency is different depending on your effort to learn and your commitment to time spent just listening and practicing the language with people. You will get immediate results of great value within a couple of weeks (or even days), but fluency over a number of contexts and courses can take from a couple of months to a year to a couple of years, again depending on your efforts and circumstances. You will need dedication and patience. We give you the best (clear, humourous, multiplatform, mobile) materials to make it as easy for you as possible.

Question : How do I book?
Answer : Decide which course you want to do and email us at: info@learnxhosa.co.za. Send us your cellphone number as well. We will then send you booking info based on availability.

Xhosa Products FAQ's

Question : What level am I at and what is covered on what Cds. Which one is right for me?
Answer : See detailed CD/Course content here: (www.learnxhosa.co.za/xhosa-lessons.htm). Level 1 is designed for absolute beginners who know nothing. However, many people who did know those basics found it extremely useful to recover it and get a feel for the way in which our style of Xhosa teaching is structured. Recovering the content will increase your knowledge and your confidence.

Question : How effective will I find your CDs?
Answer : You will find the CDs and manuals very effective. They are great leaning tools for the car or for learning on the go.  Many people prefer using just CDs to attending a course.

Question : How will your CDs help me in learning this language?
Answer : Whats great about the CDs is that they have a unique way of introducing the underlying grammar and structure of Xhosa sentences in a way that is practical, simple and immediately usable and practical in conversational contexts. The Cds teach and explain in clear English, with silent spaces for the listener to practice and repeat what they hear. Throughout the Cd, the English is spoken, a pause follows for the listener to attempt the answer, thereafter the Xhosa is pronounced clearly, followed by another pause for the listener to repeat the Xhosa out loud. It helps you to develop a feel for the rythym, tempo and pronunciation of the language. The manuals are clear, user-friendly and well structured.

Question : What are the prices of the various CDs and how do I order?
Answer : See http://www.learnxhosa.com/products.html and order by email to info@learnxhosa.co.za

Online Learning FAQ's

Question : Will I still need the CDs and manuals if Im learning online?
Answer : It is your choice. You have more flexibility with the materials in hand, but you can also download them onto your computer from the site, if you don’t want to order them by post.  Our online learning only covers Lesson 1 and has been discontinued.  Apologies.

Culture Tours FAQ's

Question : When is the next one?
Answer : Although dates in 2011 have not been set and tours are very rare, See: http://www.learnxhosa.com/tours.html
Or join the newsletter here: go to http://www.learnxhosa.com and click on the newsletter subscription button underneath the Green CLICK button.

Question : How much will you learn?
Answer : As much as you put in, but the sheer exposure will improve your Xhosa in ways that are not just limited to vocab. Its about your ear too.

Question : Does it matter what level Xhosa I am at?
Answer : Whatever level you are at, you will improve it and move up.

Question : How long do I need to go for until I can speak Xhosa?
Answer : We recommend 7-10 days initially but the journey of learning Xhosa will last you years depending on what you put in.

Question : Where is the village?
Answer : Mdumbi is near Coffee Bay, Hamberg is near East London and Bulungula is also near Coffee bay, all in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Question : When can I go?
Answer : Whenever you want, just let us know the dates.  We can put you in touch with contacts in the villages.  We have generally stopped charging any form of commission for connecting you to a village.

Question : is it dangerous?
Answer : There are always risks involved, but in 8 years of going to and from the villages we have never had an incident and experience the village to be way safer then even our comfy neighbourhoods at home. You do go at your own risk and you are required to sign an indemnity form, but in general it is a warm and wonderful experience.  We have taken groups of women of all backgrounds, high school kids, students, all sorts.