Long-distance Learning options

If you wish to study from a distance you have a few options.

1. Ordering the CDs. These are great for self-study. I teach over the Cds, with which you interact verbally, and the manuals make it clear. Starting with the first two I would suggest as a minimum and working through all four would be ideal. See Cd structures and costs here: http://ubuntu-bridge.blogspot.com/search/label/Audio%20Language%20Learning%20CDs

2. The online learning environment: this is in development, but I can finish it off quickly. Id like you to test the first lesson for me and let me know how it is working for you.

Xhosa Online Learning Environment
View here: http://196.25.114.230/learnxhosa.co.za/moodle/
Description: Read more online, but basically the whole text, audio and video content of my first lesson as taught in my courses, with pronounciations, the clicks, greetings, good-byes as well as cultural tips to help you in everyday interaction. Learn online!

To enter: I have set it up so that guests may enter the site provided they have an enrolment key or password which is "ubuntu".
Click on the above weblink and go to the home page. To get into the course you will need to click on the LearnXhosa Level 1 link in the centre of the page. This will take you to a page where you should enter the enrolment key (ubuntu) and click on "enrol me in this course". From then on you will be able to access the site freely.

NOTE: Do not click Login as you wont be able to access the site. Rather enter the enrolment key (ubuntu) and click on "enrol me in this course".

FEEDBACK including constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.

3. Skype lessons: After working through the above options, if you still need some live tutoring or you want someone to practice speaking with, you have the option of skype lessons.

We can converse with you and explain things that need explaining. Its an excellent way to keep your Xhosa in practice, especially if in a country where no one speaks Xhosa.

Or you could work through the first two beginners CDs (i.e. from scratch):

Or the third and fourth CDs:
These are generally better suited to those with a intermediate ability who are looking to practice and actually use the language whilst they are in a circumstance with few Xhosa speakers. However, anyone of any level could benefit from these lessons over the web.

We teach in 30 minute (R250). Special rates if you pay for a number of lessons upfront. 5 x 30 minute lessons for R1100.

For all options, please email: info@learnxhosa.co.za

Learn Xhosa E-Learning Launched

Hi, our online learning is currently a two pronged approach:

1. Xhosa Online Learning Environment
View here: http://196.25.114.230/learnxhosa.co.za/moodle/

Description: Read more online, but basically the whole text, audio and video content of my first lesson as taught in my courses, with pronounciations, the clicks, greetings, good-byes as well as cultural tips to help you in everyday interaction. Learn online!

To enter: I have set it up so that guests may enter the site provided they have an enrolment key or password which is "ubuntu". Click on the above weblink and go to the home page.

To get into the course you will need to click on the LearnXhosa Level 1 link in the centre of the page. This will take you to a page where you should enter the enrolment key (ubuntu) and click on "enrol me in this course". From then on you will be able to access the site freely.

NOTE: Do not click Login as you wont be able to access the site. Rather enter the enrolment key (ubuntu) and click on "enrol me in this course".

It is free to try for a limited time. All we ask in return is for you to give us brief, but WRITTEN (info@learnxhosa.co.za) feedback, comments, suggestions. Thank you!

2. Xhosa Phrase-A-Day
View here: http://ubuntubridge.posterous.com/

Description: A simple email with a phrase and audio file or movie file to help you pronounce it correctly. You need to engage with a language daily to really grow in it. This is just the right amount for daily consumption in a busy world.

SUBSCRIBE here

#4 Have a nice weekend - Ube nempelaveki emnandi

 Please SPREAD the word, FORWARD this to friends and PRACTICE with the peeps.

Have A Nice Weekend by Ubuntu Bridge 
Download now or listen on posterous

Have a nice weekend.mp3 (260 KB)

Phrase Breakdown:

Ube - You must be with (Have)

Impelaveki - a weekend*   (You could put imini here to mean have a nice day - ube nemini emnandi)

Emnandi - that is nice

Pronounciation Guide:  

- The accent or lengthening in Xhosa is on the second last syllable - "emnaaaaandi".

- Xhosa must be spoken loudly.  anyway, its rude to whisper, even in the middle of a play.  Don't you know, darling?

Subscriptions and More Info:

If you liked this, don't forget to subscribe via RSS or twitter and pass the info on to your friends.  Connecting you to the Spirit of South Africa.

To Subscribe, click here and choose RSS (email to your inbox) or Twitter subscriptions:  http://ubuntubridge.posterous.com/

Also see upcoming course dates at:  http://ubuntu-bridge.blogspot.com/search/label/Courses

And info on our Xhosa learning Products at:  http://ubuntu-bridge.blogspot.com/search/label/Audio%20Language%20Learning%20CDs

Siyabulela.

UBuntu Bridge

Learning Xhosa * Bridging Gaps * Uniting a Nation

Mobile:  072 60 90 666

Skype:  Craig Charnock

Email: info@learnxhosa.co.za

Website: www.learnxhosa.co.za

Posted via email from The UBuntu Bridge Xhosa Blog

#3 (Mp3) Yho, Its a beautiful day! - Yho, Imini inhle!

 Please Spread the word, forward this to friends and practice with the peeps.

The Day Is Beautiful by Ubuntu Bridge  
Download now or listen on posterous

The Day is beautiful.mp3 (125 KB)

Phrase Breakdown:

Yho! - An expression meaning "Yho!" or "Gosh", or "wow!"

Imini - the day, or daytime

inhle - it is beautiful, specific to nouns in group 9 (i.e. starting with in)

Pronounciation Guide:  

- Must be pronounced with vigour - listen to audio file for example

- hle is not pronounced "shle".  Start with a Sh sound and then press the tongue against the pallette.  Spit and air should come out on either side of the tongue.  This is correct.  It should sound like the welsh pronunciation of Llandudno, or Llanelly.  Hllllllll.

Now listen to the audio file for proper pronunciation of hl.  

Pronouncing Hl by Ubuntu Bridge  
Download now or listen on posterous

Pronouncing Hl.mp3 (367 KB)

Subscriptions and More Info:

If you liked this, don't forget to subscribe via RSS or twitter and pass the info on to your friends.  Connecting you to the Spirit of South Africa.

To Subscribe, click here and choose RSS (email to your inbox) or Twitter subscriptions:  http://ubuntubridge.posterous.com/

Also see upcoming course dates at:  http://ubuntu-bridge.blogspot.com/search/label/Courses

And info on our Xhosa learning Products at:  http://ubuntu-bridge.blogspot.com/search/label/Audio%20Language%20Learning%20CDs

Siyabulela.

UBuntu Bridge

Learning Xhosa * Bridging Gaps * Uniting a Nation

Mobile:  072 60 90 666

Skype:  Craig Charnock

Email: info@learnxhosa.co.za

Website: www.learnxhosa.co.za

Posted via email from The UBuntu Bridge Xhosa Blog

#2b: The African Handshake

Watch the Video here:

And

please subscribe to my youtube video channel, or favourite it or something.  Please Spread the word, forward this to friends and practice with the peeps.

The African Handshake as demonstrated in the video is used often in greetings, introductions and good-byes, sometimes for entire conversations.

Handshakes are common between genders, mostly using the ‘African handshake’, consisting of the standard western grip, followed by a loose gripping of each others thumbs by the fingers, and then reverting back to a western grip.

Handshakes are usually soft, though it has slowly adapted to the traditionally firmer western grip (excluding the ‘wet fish’ handshake), which gives most people the woobly woo’s.

Handshakes between good friends can last for minutes and often the whole conversation, and sometimes as you continue walking down the road. 

Subscriptions and More Info:

If you liked this, don't forget to subscribe via RSS or twitter and pass the info on to your friends.  Connecting you to the Spirit of South Africa.

To Subscribe, click here and choose RSS (email to your inbox) or Twitter subscriptions:  http://ubuntubridge.posterous.com/

Also see upcoming course dates at:  http://ubuntu-bridge.blogspot.com/search/label/Courses

And info on our Xhosa learning Products at:  http://ubuntu-bridge.blogspot.com/search/label/Audio%20Language%20Learning%20CDs

Siyabulela.

UBuntu Bridge

Learning Xhosa * Bridging Gaps * Uniting a Nation

Mobile:  072 60 90 666

Skype:  Craig Charnock

Email: info@learnxhosa.co.za

Website: www.learnxhosa.co.za

Posted via email from The UBuntu Bridge Xhosa Blog

#1: I am Grateful - Ndiyabulela

Phrase Breakdown:

ndi - prefix for I / I'm

(alternative:  si - prefix for we) 

ya - a construct with no direct translation, but indicates present tense.

bulela - verb for grateful

Pronounciation Guide:  

- Pronounce the first two together as if saying the country "India", then add "boo - le - la".

- the accent in xhosa is on the second last syllable "le" - you stretch it out slightly - "in di ya bu leee la"

 

Now listen to the audio file for proper pronunciation.  

 

 

I Am Grateful - Ndiyabulela by Ubuntu Bridge  
Download now or listen on posterous

I am Grateful - Ndiyabulela.mp3 (154 KB)

 

 

 

Subscriptions and More Info:

 

If you liked this, don't forget to subscribe via RSS or twitter and pass the info on to your friends.  Connecting you to the Spirit of South Africa.

To Subscribe, click here and choose RSS (email to your inbox) or Twitter subscriptions:  http://ubuntubridge.posterous.com/

Also see upcoming course dates at:  http://ubuntu-bridge.blogspot.com/search/label/Courses

And info on our Xhosa learning Products at:  http://ubuntu-bridge.blogspot.com/search/label/Audio%20Language%20Learning%20CDs

 

Siyabulela.

 

UBuntu Bridge

Learning Xhosa * Bridging Gaps * Uniting a Nation

Mobile:  072 60 90 666

Skype:  Craig Charnock

Email: info@learnxhosa.co.za

Website: www.learnxhosa.co.za

Posted via email from The UBuntu Bridge Xhosa Blog