Mastering Conversational Sesotho

From Beginner to Confident Speaker: Learn Sesotho Step by Step

What you'll learn

Students will learn how to ask well-being questions in a general Sesotho greeting

Students will learn how to make well-being statements in a general Sesotho greeting.

Students will learn how to ask “who” questions in the greeting

Students will learn how to construct "who" question statement in a Sesotho greeting

Students will learn the sounds and pronunciation of a Basotho greetings

Students will learn how to talk about money

Students will learn how to talk about food

Students will learn the parts of speech in a Basotho greeting

Requirements

A basic knowledge of any language should suffice, basic English Grammar - what is a verb, noun, adjective and adverb? I will help with the rest.

Description

Lumela! In this course, I’ll guide you through learning Sesotho from two essential perspectives: the practical, everyday language and the linguistic structure that underpins the language. This is where I come in! By integrating both approaches, I’ll help you not only speak Sesotho with confidence but also understand the foundational rules that make the language work. Whether you're looking to use Sesotho in daily conversations or gain a deeper understanding of its grammar, I’m here to bring both perspectives together, making your learning experience enjoyable and ensuring you retain the language effectively.I grew up in the Kingdom of Lesotho, surrounded by a rich blend of languages, including Sesotho, English, and several other Bantu and European languages. The Bantu languages I was exposed to include Setswana, Sezulu, Xhosa, Seswati, Sepedi, and others. On the European side, I encountered languages like German, Dutch, Afrikaans, and French. This diverse linguistic environment shaped my understanding of language, allowing me to appreciate both the practical and structural aspects of communication, which I now bring to you in this course.At home, my father was the language person. He taught me and my siblings Latin, Sesotho, and English grammar, among other subjects. Most of my neighbors spoke Sesotho, and at school, our instruction was in both English and Sesotho. At church, services were conducted in Latin, English, and Sesotho. Over time, Latin faded, and we continued with Sesotho. I studied Sesotho grammar in high school and picked up informal French classes at L'Alliance Française in Maseru. When I moved to the U.S., I continued studying French and Latin grammar for two years. While in the U.S., I taught myself Spanish, as my neighbors didn’t speak English. I’ve taught ESL in Utah for decades, helping people from various fields—such as farm workers, nurses, doctors, engineers, and teachers—learn English so they could advance in their careers. I have a deep love for languages, and Sesotho is just one of the many I’ve encountered and enjoyed throughout my life.

Overview

Section 1: Introduction

Lecture 1 Introduction - Boitsebiso

Lecture 2 Litumeliso –Ha Re Bue (Let's Talk)

Section 2: Litumeliso - The Grammar Behind the Greeting

Lecture 3 Sesotho Parts of Speech in a Greeting

Lecture 4 Litumeliso – Greetings

Section 3: Varieties of a Basotho Greeting

Lecture 5 Litumeliso - O Thabile (She is happy)

Lecture 6 Litumeliso - O Koatile (She is sad /unhappy)

Lecture 7 Litumeliso - Ke Lebetse ( I forgot)

Lecture 8 Litumeliso- Mantsoe (continued)

Section 4: Sounds and Meanings of the Words in a Basotho Greeting

Lecture 9 Pronunciation - Examining the Linguistics

Lecture 10 Litumeliso- Lethathamo la Mantsoe (Dictionary)

Lecture 11 Intonation and Meaning

Section 5: Litumetiso - Greetings

Lecture 12 Lijo (Food)

Section 6: Litumeliso - Chelete (Money)

Lecture 13 Litumeliso - Ke Bokae ? (How much is it?)

Section 7: Litumeliso – Mebala (Colors)

Lecture 14 Litumeliso - Mebala (Colours)

Section 8: Sebaka (Place)

Lecture 15 Sebaka/ Bolulo (Place)

Lecture 16 Lipotso —Questions

Anyone who wants to learn a Bantu language,Someone who likes linguistics,Learners interested in foreign languages,Anyone interested in Lesotho