‘iSayensi Yethu’

Bilingual Science materials ngesiXhosa neEnglish – is that even possible? Ewe, sizozenze! iSayensi Yethu is a project conceptualised by Robyn Tyler, Gilbert Dolo and Marion Smallbones to provide relevant, bilingual materials to Grade 4 learners and teachers.

In the pilot phase, we will create materials for the first topic in Natural Science and Technology: ‘Living and non-living things’. Le ndaba elinene ukuba Grade 4s are currently being thrust into English medium Science learning – an abrupt and traumatic departure from Foundation Phase where all learning took place through the medium of the most familiar language. 

In 2023 iSayensi Yethu was trialled in a Grade 4 Natural Science classroom in Khayelitsha. Children and their teacher were thrilled by how interesting Science learning had become. And academic results improved too. 

Through these materials we aim to support zonke iilwimi zabantwana as they enter the exciting world of formal Science learning.

Download the materials here.