South African classrooms are gloriously multilingual. In the Foundation Phase, children study a Home Language (HL) and a First Additional Language (FAL) — and learning to read well in one strengthens the other.
How CAPS structures the two
Home Language carries the heaviest reading load: children learn to read and write in it first. The First Additional Language — often English — starts with listening and speaking, with reading building up from Grade 2.
Research is clear that strong reading skills in a child's strongest language transfer to the second. Blending, decoding and comprehension are skills learned once and reused.
Supporting both at home
Read aloud in whichever language you are most comfortable in — story time in isiZulu or Afrikaans builds the same comprehension muscles English will use later. Organisations like the Molteno Institute produce African-language readers for exactly this reason.
Practising both streams
Our programme offers English and Afrikaans streams, each following its own CAPS sequence, so a child can practise HL and FAL side by side. Explore the streams from any grade page, starting at Grade 1.
Key takeaways
- CAPS children read first in their Home Language; FAL reading builds from Grade 2.
- Reading skills transfer between languages — strength in one helps the other.
- Read aloud in the language you speak best; the comprehension transfers.
References & further reading
- Department of Basic Education — CAPS Foundation Phase
- Molteno Institute — Vula Bula African-language readers
- Nal'ibali — South Africa's reading-for-enjoyment campaign
External sources open in a new tab. Saving Grace Education Group is not affiliated with these organisations.