Who Are The Authors Of Woemaboeke?

Cecile Smith: BA · Higher Dilpoma in Education · University of the Orange Free State

A seasoned Afrikaans FAL teacher with over 25 years of teaching experience, has leveraged her extensive classroom knowledge to develop materials that are both educational and engaging. Her deep understanding of Afrikaans language teaching has been instrumental in crafting teaching material that resonate with both educators and learners.

Kara Smith: BA (Honours) · Applied Linguistics · University of Johannesburg

Her expertise in linguistic accuracy and practical language learning, is a vital ingredient to the team’s success.

The dedication of Cecile and Kara is evident in the thoughtful design and comprehensive content of their publications. By combining their expertise and passion, they have created valuable tools that support both teachers and learners in the journey of teaching and mastering Afrikaans as a first additional language.

Together they have authored and published a series that is not only aligned with the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) but also enriched with practical insights drawn from years of hands-on teaching. This mother and daughter collaboration has resulted in a series that effectively addresses the challenges of learning Afrikaans as an additional language.

Woemaboeke – The creative range of Text-and Workbooks for Afrikaans First Additional Language

When the idea of Woemaboeke was born in 2007, the goal was to provide fresh content and creative language activities specifically aimed at teenagers. Relevant themes were developed to capture learners’ interest. A few years later, the Woemaboeke series was published and has been used by schools since 2012 with great success. This original series has been recognised for its creative approach and practical applicability in the classroom.

In 2015, the Woema-team expanded their offerings into the digital realm. The Woemaboeke series was made available as e-PDF. Since then, the authors have also introduced e-courses for Grade 8-9 learners in 2017. The e-courses allow learners to test their knowledge and reinforce their learning. It features over 680 interactive vocabulary, comprehension, and language tests and each of the six modules conclude with two revision assessments.

A strong vocabulary unlocks meaning

One of the most critical components of learning Afrikaans as a First Additional Language (FAL) is “woordeskat” (vocabulary). Without a strong vocabulary foundation, learners struggle to understand texts, express themselves effectively, and engage meaningfully in conversations. What separates Woemaboeke from other Afrikaans Textbooks is that Cecile Smith and Kara Smith have placed significant emphasis on “woordeskat” in their learning materials, ensuring that learners develop not only a broad vocabulary but also a deep understanding of how words function in different contexts.

The Woemaboeke Afrikaans range reinforce vocabulary through comprehension and grammar-based activities. This ensures repeated exposure and retention of new words. Instead of random word memorization, the Woemaboeke series structures vocabulary around themes, making it easier for learners to remember and apply words in relevant contexts.

Help your learners to thrive in Afrikaans FAL

By writing Woemaboeke, Cecile and Kara Smith aim to make learning Afrikaans FAL more accessible and enjoyable for learners, helping them unlock their full potential in Afrikaans FAL, while providing teachers with effective tools to enhance their teaching.

If you are an Afrikaans FAL teacher and want us to send your school some sample copies to view, please click on the link and complete the form. https://woemaboeke.com/unlock-your-learners-afrikaans-fal-potential-today-with-woemaboeke/.