The Cambridge International AS Level Afrikaans First Language (8779)

The Cambridge International AS Level Afrikaans First Language (8779) syllabus is designed for learners who speak Afrikaans as their first language. The course focuses on developing advanced language skills, including critical reading, writing, and comprehension abilities. It emphasizes the accurate and effective use of the language in various contexts, as well as the appreciation and analysis of literary texts.

Key Components of the Syllabus:

The syllabus covers two main areas: Language (Taal) and Literature (Letterkunde), assessing the ability to understand, analyze, and express ideas effectively in Afrikaans.

1. Language (Taal)

  • Writing (Skryfvaardigheid): Candidates are expected to write structured and coherent essays in Afrikaans on a range of topics. Essays should demonstrate control over grammar, syntax, and vocabulary, as well as the ability to present well-organized and engaging content.
  • Comprehension (Leesbegrip): This component tests the ability to read and interpret various Afrikaans texts. Passages may come from literary or non-literary sources, such as articles, reports, and letters. Candidates must answer questions that assess their understanding of the text.
  • Summary Writing (Opsomming): Students are required to write concise summaries of given texts, demonstrating the ability to extract relevant information and express it clearly and succinctly.

2. Literature (Letterkunde)

  • The literature component involves the study and analysis of prescribed novels, poetry, short stories, and drama in Afrikaans. Candidates will be expected to show a deep understanding of literary themes, characters, plot structure, and the use of language and style in the texts.
  • Critical thinking skills are encouraged, as students will analyze texts for their meaning, literary devices, and cultural relevance.

Skills Developed:

  • Advanced Writing Skills: Ability to write fluently and accurately in Afrikaans for different purposes, such as narrative, descriptive, discursive, and argumentative essays.
  • Textual Analysis: Evaluating literary and non-literary texts, identifying key themes, arguments, and techniques used by authors.
  • Critical Reading: Analyzing and responding critically to a wide variety of texts, both contemporary and classical, in Afrikaans.
  • Summary Writing: Extracting main ideas from texts and presenting them in a concise and clear manner.

Assessment Structure:

The AS Level Afrikaans First Language (8779) consists of two papers:

  1. Paper 1: Writing and Comprehension (Skryf en Leesbegrip) (2 hours)

    • Section A: Candidates write a discursive or argumentative essay on a given topic.
    • Section B: Candidates complete a comprehension task based on a reading passage.
    • Section C: Summary writing, where candidates summarize a text in their own words, demonstrating an understanding of the key points.

  2. Paper 2: Literature (Letterkunde) (2 hours)

    • Candidates will answer questions on the prescribed literary texts, which may include poetry, drama, short stories, or novels. The questions will assess candidates’ ability to interpret and analyze the works in detail, focusing on themes, character development, literary style, and techniques.

Recommended Resources:

  • Afrikaans Literature Texts: Familiarity with the prescribed literary works is crucial. These works will be provided in the syllabus and include a mix of novels, poetry, short stories, and drama.
  • Cambridge-endorsed Textbooks: Textbooks focusing on Afrikaans language and literature, which align with the exam requirements.
  • Past Exam Papers: Practicing past papers helps in understanding the format and style of questions, as well as improving exam techniques.

Tips for Success:

  • Essay Writing Practice: Regularly practice different types of essays (argumentative, discursive, descriptive) to improve structure, coherence, and clarity in writing.
  • Textual Analysis: When studying literature, focus on understanding the themes, plot, and characters deeply, and how the author uses language to convey meaning.
  • Wide Reading: Engage with a variety of Afrikaans texts—both literary and non-literary—to improve comprehension and critical thinking skills.
  • Summarizing: Develop the skill of condensing information while retaining key ideas by practicing summary writing.

The course prepares students for higher-level Afrikaans studies, fostering both linguistic proficiency and a deep appreciation of the Afrikaans literary tradition.

If you'd like more help with specific sections of the syllabus, feel free to ask!

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