Senior Phase
Grade 9
House Mess
This is a fun story about young people who have a house party that gets out of hand, while their parents are away. The house, like its inhabitants, is Deaf, and it has one Deaf and one hearing neighbouring house. The story is a good example of anthropomorphism and contains several instances of role-shifting.
Order
The Seven Natural Wonders of the World + (Addendum of Facts)
The information in the addendum to this text introduces learners to the seven natural wonders of the world. The text itself draws on knowledge of the existence of these wonders to introduce the concept of a metaphor. It tells a story based on events with which secondary school learners will all be familiar.
Order
Mandela's Life
Nelson Mandela has become an icon of peace — not only for South Africans, but globally. His life story and legend is told here in a
brief version.
Order
Braam Jordaan
As a Deaf South African, Braam Jordaan has achieved outstanding feats, not only creatively in his career, but also as Deaf activist nationally and internationally. This is a condensed version of his life story.
Order
Cochlear Implant
The subject of acquiring a cochlear implant is explored here, first in a life story and thereafter as the topic of negotiation. Issues pertaining to cochlear implanting are relevant in the world of a Deaf person and evoke varied reactions, which may lead to debate.
Order
The Bird’s Note
In this poem, the poet indicates that people can be in turmoil and can be in conflict with others even if all appears peaceful on the surface. Reference is made to a phonograph producing the same soothing tune over and over, a tune similar to that of a bird.
Order
Bullying at School
Bullying at school remains a relevant and challenging issue that affects learners in lower- and higher grade groups. This lesson can contribute to a conversation about the reality of bullying.
Order
WFD
A report of the WFD (World Federation for the Deaf) which was held in Durban, 2011. The video is shown with photographs. Personal experiences are included; one from a Deaf person (Simon Ndaba / interview style), and one from a hearing person (anonymous / prosaic style).
Order
Speech at a Crowning Ceremony
When it comes to awareness and activism, speeches often play an important part. In this text, learners are introduced to a (fictive) speech given by the winner of a beauty pageant. Miss Deaf South Africa is after all a proud ambassador for the Deaf community both at local and international level.
Order
A Sport Meeting
A role-play of a meeting is provided, together with a hard copy of its “minutes”. Furthermore, an example of an agenda (Appendix A) and an example of an attendance list (Appendix B) are included.
Order
We Fought for a Cause
In order to familiarise deaf/Deaf learners with some of the political aspects of Deaf education and the Deaf community, a brief report is provided of the recent decision made by the Department of Basic Education to embrace SASL (South African Sign Language) as a language of learning and teaching.
Order
Job Interview & Informal Interview +
(Poem – Overslept)
In order to become familiar with the forms and the particularities of interviews as texts, two examples are provided. The first is a simple job interview and the second a longer, informal interview.
Order
Interview with Deaf Poet
Ismael Mansoor is a Deaf user of SASL who has published several collections of poems in English. In this text, he is interviewed by Modiegi Njeyiyana, an accomplished SASL poet. The purpose of the text is to provide learners with an example of a typical interview with a real person who has done something newsworthy and admirable.
Order
Hotel Reservation
Learners grow older and are expected to become more independent and to take responsibility for themselves. In line with this, a dialogue is provided in which a guest makes a reservation for hotel lodging. Learners can take note of the ways in which the parties address one another, as well as how to carry out solo role playing in a dialogue.
Order
Deaf Culture
In order to ensure that Deaf children truly feel accepted in the Deaf community and can associate with people around them, it is important that they are familiar with the unique customs and principles of Deaf culture. Here, a simple overview is given of how Deaf culture came into being, who belongs to it and how it is preserved.
Order
Hellocopter Mom
An advertisement for a smartphone app that is age-appropriate for teenagers. The text provides information on the name of the app, how it functions, what choices it provides, what it costs and how one can obtain it.
Order
Smartphone Printer
An advertisement for a piece of technology that is bound to interest Grade 9 learners. The style of the advertisement was deliberately kept informal in order to appeal to younger readers.
Order
Misunderstanding + (Addendum: Review)
Learners might have encountered Didi and Dudu in Foundation Phase texts. These two beloved characters are now teenagers. Didi sees a private conversation between Dudu and a girl and is completely shocked by what she learns. Learners should enjoy this comedy with its surprise ending.
Order
Load Shedding
This light-hearted story peeks into four families’ homes as load shedding starts. The families have quite different ways of dealing with load shedding… from complaining about it to accepting that it is a part of life. The Bhule’s have even started enjoying it…
Order
The Experiment
A learner with a poor self-image visits his grandmother for the holidays. She challenges him to do a simple experiment, and he learns how important it is not to constantly be critical about himself. The story should remind learners of their value and the power of their thoughts.
Order
Andile Vellem
Growing up in South Africa during apartheid, Andile Vellem was discriminated against because he was black and because he was Deaf. Instead of becoming a bitter person, Andile rose above his circumstances to achieve great success in contemporary dance in South Africa, the UK, the USA...
Order
Ilze Aaron
In 2021, Ilzé Aäron became the first student ever to have studied at Stellenbosch University by means of South African Sign Language (SASL). In this text, we learn how she experienced attending a hearing school and a school for the Deaf, and how she managed to achieve her dream of becoming a Deaf teacher of the Deaf.
Order
Revolution
The poet compares his relationship with his beloved to the relationship between the earth and the moon, and between the sun and the earth. He creates a beautiful picture of unconditional love, and his excellent performance illustrates the wonder of SASL as a language of poetry.
Order
InsideOut
This beautiful poem paints a picture of the growth that takes place inside us as our character develops. The poem is encouraging and uplifting and shows how SASL can paint pictures in a way that is unique to sign languages.
Order
Message to a Bully
Bullying is, unfortunately, a major problem in schools all around the world. It is all about power and control. In this poem the message to the bully is that they do not have all the power. The person being bullied refuses to be defeated and makes it clear that, no matter what happens, they will get up again.
Order
I am a Woman
Gender-Based Violence is a crisis in South Africa. The poet shares her fears and frustrations with the world that she lives in. She is proud to be a woman, and she will continue to cry out against injustice and to
demand change.
Order
Silent Hands
Many hearing people share the misconception that Deaf people are ‘silent’ and that they cannot speak, tell stories or sing songs. In this
poem, the signer urges people to listen with their eyes, to learn her language, and to hear the story that her hands are telling and the song that they are singing.
Order
Party Plans
A fifteen-year-old boy, Akani, wants to go to a friend’s party, but he has to get a lift, and he has to get his mother’s permission. He tries to make a deal with his uncle, who owns a taxi, and he tries to convince his mother to extend his curfew. Learners should be able to identify with this scenario and should enjoy Akani’s negotiation skills.
Order
The History of Barbie
The Barbie doll is one of the best-selling toys of all time. This text tells the story of Barbie’s humble beginnings, the Barbie empire’s rise to
fame, and the Mattel company’s most recent range of dolls that celebrates diversity.
Order
Africa Day
This speech is about Africa Day, which celebrates the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity, now called the African Union, and recognizes Africa’s fight for freedom and against injustice. The text aims to showcase the history of Africa Day, while also encouraging learners to embrace their “Africanness”.
Order
RCL
This video shows four learners having a meeting for their school’s RCL (representative council of learners), and discussing topics that are relevant to this age group. An agenda and attendance list are included to remind learners about the structure of these documents, as well.
Order
The New Seven Wonders of the World
More than 2 000 years ago, ancient Greek travelers created a list of the ‘Seven Wonders of the World’. In 2007, a list of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’ was created. This text includes interesting facts and statistics about each of these wonders, adding to learners’ general knowledge and reminding them of the amazing feats that humans are capable of.
Order
Subject Choices
This dialogue between two Grade 9 learners is about which subjects to take in Grade 10. Learners find out what the different subjects are, what you should keep in mind when you pick your subjects, and whom you can ask for advice. Reference is even made to opportunities after school, further studies, bursaries and loans.
Order
My Future After School
In this informal discussion, three Grade 9 friends share their uncertainty about their future after school – they realise that, as Deaf learners, they face additional challenges in terms of job and study opportunities. However, during the discussion, they learn about actual companies, organisations, colleges and training centres that offer
wonderful opportunities for Deaf learners.
Order
Silent Walk
This text is a fictional advertisement for the annual Silent Walk - an actual event hosted by DeafSA with the aim of raising awareness of the Deaf community and South African Sign Language. The Silent Walk brings Deaf and hearing South Africans together to break down the barriers between these two communities.
Order
Convo ZA
Convo’s aim is to give Deaf people full ownership of their conversations, by providing a relay service between the caller, a sign
language interpreter, and the person being called. This advertisement for Convo ZA introduces learners to this real, exciting service.
Order