NSSCAS Afrikaans Second Language 8201 study plan
NSSCAS Afrikaans Second Language 8201 · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Reading Comprehension and Information Transfer & Language in Use: Grammar, Vocabulary and Sentence Structure
Skim 6 short Afrikaans newspaper or magazine articles (250-350 words each) and mark the main idea plus two supporting details in each
Identify and record the function of 15 Afrikaans discourse markers (e.g. daarenteen, gevolglik, nietemin, ten spyte van) in a personal glossary
Complete 20 skimming questions and 20 scanning questions under a 1-minute-per-question limit
Diagnose recurring grammar errors by reviewing a 300-word written sample and listing the top 5 error types
Your checkpoint
A one-page error profile plus a 15-item Afrikaans connector glossary that you will reuse in Weeks 2-8
Reading Comprehension and Information Transfer & Language in Use: Grammar, Vocabulary and Sentence Structure
Paraphrase the main argument of 4 longer texts (400-500 words) into 2 sentences each without copying source wording
Answer 3 full reading sets (multiple choice, matching headings, short answer) and log every distractor pattern you fell for
Drill 25 items each on verb tense, word order in subordinate clauses (want/omdat/terwyl), and adjective inflection
Convert 10 direct-speech sentences into indirect speech in Afrikaans correctly
Your checkpoint
A timed 45-minute reading mock with a written self-marking sheet showing question type, correct answer, and your error reason
Directed Writing (Letter, Article, Report, Speech) & Language in Use: Grammar, Vocabulary and Sentence Structure
Draft one formal letter (250-300 words) using the correct Afrikaans salutation, register, and closing conventions
Write one 300-word article with a headline and 3 subheadings, keeping paragraphs to 3-4 sentences
Apply 12 formal connectors and 8 passive constructions accurately in your own writing
Self-edit drafts against a 10-point checklist covering agreement, tense consistency, and spelling of common Afrikaans words
Your checkpoint
A polished formal letter and article, each with a marked-up first draft and a completed editing checklist
Directed Writing (Letter, Article, Report, Speech) & Continuous Writing (Composition and Summary)
Write one 350-400 word report with a clear problem, findings, and recommendations, using headings
Produce one 120-word summary of a 400-word source, retaining only key points and using your own words
Draft one 400-450 word narrative composition with a defined structure (opening, complication, resolution)
Time yourself: 35 minutes for directed writing and 45 minutes for continuous writing
Your checkpoint
A timed writing portfolio: one report, one summary, and one composition, each scored on a self-made rubric
Continuous Writing (Composition and Summary) & Listening Comprehension
Write two compositions in different genres (descriptive and argumentative) of 400-450 words each under exam timing
Summarise 3 audio clips of 2-3 minutes into 5 bullet points each after a single listening
Build a listening log of 20 Afrikaans idioms and colloquial expressions heard in authentic audio
Practise note-taking shorthand while listening and reconstruct full sentences from your notes
Your checkpoint
A listening log with 20 expressions and 3 summaries, plus 2 timed compositions with self-assessment notes
Listening Comprehension & Oral Examination: Speaking and Interaction
Complete 4 full listening mock sections (10-15 minutes each) and transcribe 2 short segments word for word
Record yourself giving a 2-minute prepared talk on a familiar topic and a 3-minute response to unseen prompts
Practise 10 interaction functions: asking for clarification, giving opinion, disagreeing politely, and summarising
Review recordings and correct pronunciation of 15 commonly mispronounced Afrikaans words
Your checkpoint
Three recorded speaking tasks with a self-evaluation sheet noting fluency, accuracy, and two fixed pronunciation issues
Literature and Cultural Awareness & Oral Examination: Speaking and Interaction
Read one prescribed or representative Afrikaans literary text or extract and write 250 words on theme, character, and setting
Link 5 cultural references (e.g. historical events, festivals, regional customs) to their context in Afrikaans-speaking communities
Deliver a 3-minute oral presentation on a cultural or literary topic with a structured introduction and conclusion
Answer 10 short literature-style questions using evidence from the text
Your checkpoint
A 250-word literary response and a recorded 3-minute cultural presentation with a brief outline
Reading Comprehension and Information Transfer & Directed Writing (Letter, Article, Report, Speech) & Language in Use: Grammar, Vocabulary and Sentence Structure & Continuous Writing (Composition and Summary) & Listening Comprehension & Oral Examination: Speaking and Interaction & Literature and Cultural Awareness
Sit one full timed mock covering reading, language in use, and both writing sections under exam conditions
Sit one timed listening mock and one recorded full oral simulation
Revisit your Week 1 error profile and confirm which errors are resolved and which remain
Build a final one-page revision sheet of your 15 most frequent errors and 10 high-value connectors
Set a personal timing plan for each exam section and rehearse it once
Your checkpoint
A complete mock exam result sheet with section scores, a resolved/unresolved error list, and your final one-page revision sheet
Milestones
Week 2: You can complete a 45-minute reading set within time and explain why each wrong option was wrong
Week 4: You produce a formal letter, a report, and a 120-word summary that each meet the word limit and structural conventions without a model
Week 6: You summarise a 3-minute unseen audio clip into 5 accurate points after one listening and speak for 2 minutes with fewer than 5 major errors
Week 8: Your full mock scores are at or above your target in every section, and your Week 1 error list is at least 80% resolved