HERE ARE SOME EMAILS SENT TO US FROM STUDENTS WHO'VE COMPLETED OUR BEGINNERS COURSE
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 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 (sent 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 a student 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!