Book series encourages children to be bilingual

SANDTON – The books each feature two languages including English and a range of indigenous languages encourage children to learn a range of South African languages.

Dawn Shabangu Rikhotso proudly displays one of her books. Photo: Laura Pisanello

A new series of books has been launched at the Sandton Library to help young children become bilingual.

The series of books, which are published by Lingua Franca, focus on themes such as colours, animals and parts of the body. The books are available with either individual words or sentences in both English and a variety of languages including Zulu, Xhosa and Sepedi, among others.

Twarisani Mabunda is excited to start reading one of the bilingual books. *Photo: Laura Pisanello*

Dawn Shabangu Rikhotso, the author of the books, said she was inspired by the quote, ‘Today a reader, tomorrow a leader’ to encourage children to learn not only English but indigenous languages from a young age.

“It makes me really happy to see parents making the conscious decision to be here today because children learn from actions and if they see parents making the time for them to be exposed to an environment that fosters reading, then they have done a great job.”

Shabangu Rikhotso explained that in creating the books she had three goals. The first goal is to create a love of reading in children with the help of their parents. The second goal is to help households in suburban areas, where children are primarily exposed to English, learn indigenous languages. Finally, she hopes that children who do not speak English are able to learn English through books.

Moms are excited to start reading the bilingual book series with their children. *Photo: Laura Pisanello*

In South Africa, literacy among children has raised many concerns and Shabangu Rikhotso hopes that through these books, a love of reading will be fostered.

Gomolemo Monye, the founding director of Solomon Projects Language Academy, said that she started her academy to encourage children to learn indigenous languages. She highlighted that merely speaking a language around a child is not enough for them to learn.

Mpho Gumede with her children Manqoba and Nombuso enjoy their morning learning about the bilingual books. Photo: Laura Pisanello

Through the books, children are able to see and speak the works and with the help of their parents, understand the words and sentences in both languages.