Morija Guest Houses and Tours

INTRODUCTION TO SESOTHO LANGUAGE AND CULTURE WEEKENDS

Two or three times a year, Morija Guest Houses invites foreigners who are newly arrived in Lesotho to a weekend entitled “Introduction to Sesotho Language and Culture”. Since 2005 we have organized seven such weekends which have been very successful. They have enabled the participants to gain confidence when attempting to speak Sesotho, to acquire some useful knowledge on the history of the country and on Basotho culture, and generally to feel more comfortable in their new situation. The atmosphere of the weekend is always informal and relaxed and many participants have told us how grateful they were for the opportunity of making new friends. In the past we’ve had people from UNDP, WFP, the EU Commission, Beautiful Gate, Maseru Prep School, Machabeng College, Alliance Française, MSF, DED and other NGO’s.

Our Sesotho teacher has a lot of experience in teaching adults and skilfully includes everybody, even the most reluctant speakers. As you will see on the programme below, language learning sessions are not intensive as we want to make sure that participants feel encouraged, not overwhelmed. Also we know that they need to relax at the end of a busy week. Language sessions alternate with other activities and it is always possible to change them according to the group’s needs.We are very flexible!

The cost of the weekend is R940 per person if your organisation pays, or R700 if you pay from your own pocket. This includes 2 nights’ accommodation, 6 meals, all the language sessions and other activities. Only the excursion to Thaba-Bosiu is not included in the price, but transport is usually shared so it's very cheap. Children are welcome and we will keep them happily occupied during the language sessions. The next weekend will take place in January or February 2009. If you are interested to join it, please contact us soon.

View on Qiloane Mountain from Thaba-Bosiu. Note the shape of the mountain which many say is at the origin of the conic shape of the Basotho hat.

Sesotho Weekend Programme

Friday
4.30 - 5.00	Welcome
5.00 - 6.30	Introductory language session
6.30 - 7.00	Time to relax with sundowners
7.00 - 8.00	Supper
8.00 - 10.00	Talk on the history of the Basotho and video on Moshoeshoe I

Saturday
8.00 - 9.30	Breakfast
9.30 – 11.00	Second language session
11.00 – 11.30	Refreshments
11.30 - 1.00	Walk to the Dinosaur Footprints or time to relax at the guest house
1.00 – 2.00	Lunch
2.00 - 3.00	Informal time for questions (or nap if needed!)
3.00 – 6.00	Excursion to Thaba-Bosiu, the “Mountain Fortress”

6.00 - 7.00	Traditional dances and sundowners
7.00 – 8.00	Supper
8.00 – 10.00	Discussion on cultural issues

Sunday
8.00 – 9.30	Breakfast
9.30 – 11.00	Third language session
11.00 – 11.30	Refreshments
1.30 - 1.00	Time to practise simple conversations (with instructor as well as other people).
1.00 - 2.00	Lunch
From 2.00	Departure. Opportunity to visit the Morija Museum on your way down.