Sesotho Home Language - Term 1 - Week 2

Phonics is the relationship between sounds and their spellings. Today, we will learn how to recognize different sounds in Sesotho words. We will focus on the sounds of vowels and consonants, and how they combine to form words. For example, the sound 'a' can be found in the word 'ntja' (dog). Let's listen to some words and identify their sounds together.

Let's take the word 'mohloa' (flower). We can break it down into its sounds: 'm', 'o', 'h', 'l', 'o', 'a'. Now, let's try to build a new word using some of these sounds. If we change 'm' to 't', we get 'tohloa' (to flower). This shows how changing one sound can create a new word.

Now, I will give you a list of sounds: 'b', 'a', 't'. Together, let's create a word using these sounds. What word can we form? Yes, 'bat'! Now, let's use 'bat' in a sentence. How about 'Ke na le bat' (I have a bat)? Remember to use a capital letter at the beginning and a full stop at the end of the sentence.

On your own, I want you to choose three words from our phonics lesson today. Write a sentence for each word. Make sure to use correct punctuation. For example, if you choose 'ntja', your sentence could be 'Ntja ea hlapa' (The dog is bathing). After you finish, we will share our sentences with the class.

• ah
• ee
• oo
• ay

Answer: ah

In Sesotho, the letter 'a' is pronounced as 'ah'.

• ntja
• katse
• mohloa
• khoeli

Answer: katse

The correct Sesotho word for 'cat' is 'katse'.

Answer: Mohloa o monate.

This sentence means 'The flower is beautiful.'

• .
• ,
• !
• ?

Answer: .

A full stop (.) is used at the end of a sentence.

• buh
• duh
• kuh
• fuh

Answer: buh

The letter 'b' represents the sound 'buh'.

Answer: ntja

'Ntja' is the Sesotho word for 'dog'.

• a
• e
• i
• z

Answer: z

The letter 'z' is not a vowel; it is a consonant.

Answer: ton

The word 'ton' is formed by combining the sounds 't', 'o', and 'n'.