Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

Sesotho is the language of Lesotho and South Africa. If you are going to visit these countries, you need to learn some useful words and phrases so that you can speak with the indigenous people. As with any country with its own language, you need to learn the language before you go on your trip.

Steps

1. 1 As with learning any other language, you need to listen carefully to learn Sesotho. When you arrive in the country, listen to Lesotho radio as often as possible.
2. 2 You should understand that Sesotho is not like other languages ​​that you have learned. Never compare it to languages ​​you already know.
3. 3 Use the internet to listen to examples, suggestions and take tests (see links below).
4. 4 Use the dictionary as often as possible. There are at least three verified publications on the Internet.
5. 5 Find a Mosoto who would like to learn your language and talk to him by email or phone.
6. 6 There is a large amount of written material on Sesotho on the Internet. Find them and read them as often as possible. You may not be able to understand much in the beginning, but the little that you understand will probably be useful to you. Don't try to learn Sesotho grammar as you are learning spoken language. Remember this.
7. 7 Use flashcards or a phrase book to review the phrases and words you've learned. Repetition is very important, especially if you are learning Sesotho outside Lesotho or South Africa.
8. 8 Memorize new words with mnemonic tricks, jokes and emotions. Don't memorize words without context.For example, do not memorize “ho rata” as the verb “to love”, but practice this word in the sentences “Ke rata Odile”, that is, “I love Odile” or Jack or Jill.
9. 9 Wherever you are, you may have a Lesotho or South African embassy near you. Visit the embassy and ask for help in your endeavors. If you are not helped, ask them why they are not interested in people studying Sesotho.

Tips

• Learn these ten important phrases:
  
  
  • Dumela -> Hello (singular.) / doo-MAY-lah /
  • Dumelang -> Hello (plural.) / doo-MAY-LUNG /
  • U phela joang? -> How are you? (singular.) / oop-HEALer-jwang /
  • Le phela joang -> How are you? (plural.) / lip-HEALer-jwang /
  • Kea phela -> Good / key-upHEAler /
  • Rea phela -> We are fine / re-upHEAler /
  • Uena? -> And you? / way-NAH /
  • Kea leboha -> Thank you / key-ah-lay-BOO-ha /
  • Tsamaea hantle -> Goodbye (you leave) / tsah-MY-ah-HUN-clay /
  • Sala hantle -> Goodbye (I'm leaving) / SAL-ah-HUN-clay /
• In southern sesotho, “li” is pronounced “di” and “lu” is pronounced “du”.
• You can always become a member of the Peace Corps. This is a proven method and you can learn to speak Sesotho like Mosotos.
• You cannot learn a language if you do not enjoy it. Think of those who were successful at anything - they probably liked what they did. Explore Sesotho with fun: read comics and magazines and surprise the locals with your knowledge. You can also have a relationship with Mosoto.
• Always use "ntate" when talking to a man and "mme" when talking to a woman. For example, "Khotso ntate" or "Kea leboha mme".
• The method you choose should suit your language learning style. What is the preferred language learning style in your school?

Warnings

• The spelling of words in South Africa and Lesotho is different, even if everything else, including pronunciation, is the same.
• There are several complex sounds in sesotho such as "Q" and "X", as well as sounds used in combination with two or more consonants. There is no easy way to learn these sounds other than listening to the native speakers and not being afraid to pronounce them yourself.

What do you need

• Good internet connection
• Computer headphones
• List of pedagogical sites
• Bilingual dictionary