This is the isiXhosa First Additional Language CAPS Document (Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement) for the Foundation Phase, Grades 1-3, issued by the South African Department of Basic Education. It sets out what must be taught, learnt and assessed in isiXhosa First Additional Language across Grades 1, 2 and 3, and is relevant for the 2026 and 2027 school years. The document focuses on building listening and speaking, reading and phonics, writing, and language structure and use skills in isiXhosa as an additional language.
The following document, isiXhosa First Additional Language CAPS Document Grades 1-3.pdf, is the full document.
CAPS Document Brief
isiXhosa First Additional Language CAPS Document Grades 1-3 kavo-101
The document is structured around the First Additional Language skill areas of Listening and Speaking, and Reading and Writing, which include shared reading, group guided reading, paired and independent reading, phonics (sounds), sight-word recognition, comprehension, writing, and language structures and conventions. These skill areas are used to organise weekly time allocation and term-by-term content for Grades 1 to 3.
This is a 106-page CAPS document divided into four sections: Section 1 introduces the National Curriculum Statement and Foundation Phase context; Section 2 introduces the approach to teaching languages, including listening and speaking and reading and writing methodology; Section 3, the bulk of the document, sets out the detailed term-by-term curriculum overview for Grades 1 to 3; and Section 4 lists recommended text types for the Foundation Phase, followed by a word list.
The document aims to develop learners additional-language competence so that they can listen, speak, read and write with confidence in isiXhosa by the end of Grade 3. It emphasises building vocabulary and comprehension through structured, paired and independent reading, alongside sound-letter knowledge and basic writing skills, preparing learners to use isiXhosa more extensively as a subject in later grades.
Grade
1-3
Subject
isiXhosa First Additional Language
Phase
Foundation Phase
Curriculum
South African (CAPS)
School Years
2026 and 2027