Mastering Cambridge AS Level Afrikaans: Your Guide to the 2025-2026 Syllabus

HowCambridge AS Level AfrikaansAfrikaans Tutoring Can Boost Your Child’s Grades and Confidence

The Cambridge International AS Level Afrikaans (8679) syllabus for 2025 and 2026 is designed to elevate your fluency, accuracy, and confidence in Afrikaans as a second language. Whether you’re a student aiming for top grades, a parent seeking clarity, or an educator planning lessons, this guide breaks down the syllabus, offers practical study materials, and includes an interactive chart to support your journey. Let’s explore how to excel in this globally recognised course!

Overview of the Cambridge AS Level Afrikaans Syllabus

TheAS Level Afrikaans syllabus (8679)honesadvanced language skillsfor effective communication in spoken and written Afrikaans. It’s ideal for learners with a working knowledge of Afrikaans who want to refine their abilities for academic or professional purposes. Key focuses include:

• Fluency and Accuracy:Mastering grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
• Communication Skills:Strengthening listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
• Cultural Awareness:Engaging with Afrikaans texts and contexts to deepen cultural connections.

The syllabus is consistent for 2025 and 2026, providing stability for planning. It’s part of the Cambridge International AS and A Level framework, valued by universities and employers worldwide.

Syllabus Structure and Assessment

The Cambridge AS Level Afrikaans syllabus assesses key skills through a combination of components.

Component 1 (Speaking Test) is optional, so always check with your school for specific requirements regarding its availability or necessity. Here’s the breakdown of the assessment scheme:

Component 1: Speaking Test (20 minutes, weighting: none, optional)

This is a one-on-one oral exam with an examiner, where offered.
It includes a presentation on a chosen topic, followed by a discussion to assess fluency and interaction.

Crucially, check with your examination centre to confirm if this component is required. While optional, it’s often a valuable addition for demonstrating comprehensive language proficiency. Its weighting is listed as ‘none’, meaning it does not contribute to the overall percentage calculation of the AS Level grade, but may be a prerequisite or separate endorsement depending on your examination centre.

Component 2: Reading and Writing (1 hour 45 minutes, 70% of total marks)

Tests comprehension and written expression.
Includes reading passages with questions and a short essay or letter (250–350 words). Focuses on understanding main ideas, extracting details, and writing clearly in Afrikaans.

Component 3: Essay (1 hour 30 minutes, 30% of total marks)
Requires writing an essay (250–400 words) from a choice of topics.
Assesses the ability to express and develop ideas with accuracy, fluency, and coherence in Afrikaans.

Of the 40 marks available, 24 are for the Quality of the Language and 16 for the Content.

Set topics for examination in 2025:

1. Human relationships
2. Philosophy and belief
3. Work and leisure
4. Education
5. Conservation

Set topics for examination in 2026:

1. Generation gap
2. The media
3. Employment and unemployment
4. Free time activities
5. Social and economic development

Why Choose AS Level Afrikaans?

Studying AS Level Afrikaans offers unique advantages that can boost your academic and career prospects:

• University Exemption:In South Africa, it contributes to university entrance requirements as a second language, opening doors to higher education locally.
• Global Recognition:The qualification is respected by universities worldwide, significantly boosting international applications and opportunities.
• Cultural Connection:Strengthens ties to Afrikaans, a key South African language, fostering valuable bilingual proficiency and cultural understanding.
• Career Opportunities:Fluency in Afrikaans opens doors in diverse fields such as education, translation, journalism, and business within Afrikaans-speaking regions.

Practical Study Strategies for Cambridge AS Level Afrikaans

To help you prepare effectively, here are practical study tips tailored for the 2025–2026 syllabus:

Tips for Each Component:

Component 1 (Speaking Test – if applicable):

• • Practice speaking regularly:The more you speak, the more fluent you’ll become.
  • Record yourself:Listen back to identify areas for improvement in pronunciation and fluency.
  • Engage in discussions:Practice debating and expressing opinions in Afrikaans.
  • Prepare your presentation thoroughly:Know your chosen topic inside out and practice delivering it confidently.

Component 2 (Reading & Writing):

• • • Read actively:Don’t just skim. Highlight key phrases and circle unfamiliar words.
    • Practice summarising:Condense information from passages into your own words.
    • Vary sentence structure:Show your command of Afrikaans by using different sentence constructions in your writing.
    • Proofread carefully:Check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.

Component 3 (Essay):

• • • • Plan your essay:A strong outline is half the battle. Structure your arguments logically.
      • Address the prompt directly:Make sure your essay directly answers the chosen question from the set topics.
      • Develop your points:Provide examples and explanations to support your ideas.
      • Focus on coherence:Use linking words and phrases to create a smooth flow between paragraphs.
      • Expand your vocabulary:Use precise and varied vocabulary relevant to different essay topics.
      • Prioritise language quality:Remember, 60% of the marks are for your language! Focus on accurate grammar, spelling, and sentence construction.

By consistently applying these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to mastering Cambridge AS Level Afrikaans. What aspect of the AS Level Afrikaans syllabus are you most excited to tackle?

📚 Need Support Along the Way? ACambridge IGCSE Afrikaans TutorCan Help

Let’s face it — whether your child is preparing for Cambridge IGCSE Afrikaans or working toward AS Level Afrikaans (8679), language learning can feel like a rollercoaster. One week they’re confidently conjugating verbs; the next, they’re asking if “omdat” and “want” are out to personally ruin their essay. It’s a lot to manage — and it’s okay to ask for help.

That’s where a qualifiedCambridge IGCSE Afrikaans tutorcomes in. We know Afrikaans isn’t always the easiest subject to master, especially when juggling it alongside Maths, Sciences, and everything else IGCSE throws at them. Whether your child is in the early stages of IGCSE, prepping for their final exams, or planning to move on to AS Level Afrikaans, a dedicatedCambridge IGCSE Afrikaanscan make all the difference.

Here’s what a goodCambridge IGCSE Afrikaans tutorcan offer:

• Grammar supportfor sentence structure, verb tenses, and tricky rules that don’t always “click” in class.

• Writing practicefocused on real exam formats — from letters to opinion pieces to summaries.

• Oral and listening trainingto build confidence in pronunciation and spontaneous speaking.

• Cultural insightto help learners engage with Afrikaans beyond just the textbook.

• Personalised feedbackto pinpoint weak areas and accelerate progress.

Tutors make the subjectfeel doable again. They bring structure to revision, break things down into manageable chunks, and — most importantly — help learnersregain their confidencein a second language that many students find intimidating.

And if your child is takingAfrikaans as a Second Language, rest assured: atGlobal Tutors, we understand the Cambridge International framework inside and out. Our tutors are familiar with the IGCSE and AS Level syllabi, including their most recent updates for 2025–2026. Whether your child needs help catching up or wants to push for top marks, we’ve got someone who speaks their academic language — literally and figuratively.

---

📧Looking for a tutor who understands the Cambridge Afrikaans journey?