Academic literacy workshops  •  

Your school can request a workshop to prepare you for the National Benchmark Tests (NBTs).  • Contact Stef Ferreira (stef@magiccamel.co.za) for Pretoria  and nearby, or Albert Weideman (albert@lcat.design) for the rest of the country.  The fee is R550 per learner, including a workbook with practice tests and answers to take home. Unless presented in Bloemfontein or Pretoria, a minimum of 25 participants is normally required.

Click on the LCaT website to see some photos of these well attended events.

One-on-one sessions

You can also request a one-on-one session or a workshop for a small group, in Pretoria or Bloemfontein. Contact details are provided below.

FAQ

Why do I need to prepare for university admission?

Students who are now in Grades 10 to 12 will soon face the challenges and demands of using academic language in the world of tertiary education.

Most universities require prospective students to complete academic literacy tests, such as the Academic and Quantitative Literacy component (AQL) of the National Benchmark Tests (NBTs). In order to submit your application, your NBT results need to be available. The NBTs  are written at various venues throughout South Africa.  Fees, dates, times and venues are available on the NBT website (www.nbt.ac.za).

Can I prepare for the AQL section of the NBT?

You cannot study and memorise any specific subject matter.  But by doing exercises and studying the correct answers, you can of course hone your academic thinking skills. And you can get used to the format and types of questions of the NBTs, which are quite different from tests and exams that you are used to. So let us help you achieve the best possible results on these unusual tests.

So what is academic literacy and why is it important?

To see what it’s all about, read the introduction to a book written by some of South Africa’s foremost language testers:

• Academic Literacy: Test your competence / by Albert Weideman and Tobie van Dyk (editors)
• Akademiese geletterdheid: Toets jou vermoë / saamgestel deur Tobie van Dyk en Albert Weideman

Buy this book from Geronimo Distribution by completing the order form.

To derive the full benefit, however, why not attend the LCaT Academic Literacy Workshop and receive a complimentary copy?

Why the LCaT Academic Literacy Workshop?

Magic Camel’s partner, LCaT (Language Courses and Tests), offers academic literacy workshops, which are overseen by Albert Weideman, editor of  Academic Literacy: Test your competence. These workshops will test and develop your academic language ability.

The quality and efficiency of the literacy tests are indisputable. They derive from the creative designs and practical experience of a team of experts from several South African universities. Click here for the Academic Literacy pamplet in PDF.

WiiFY? (what’s in it for you?)

• A three-hour workshop to prepare you for the NBT
• Tests and exercises to assess your language ability
• A workbook for you to practise
• Feedback on your assessment

Cost: R550 per student

LCaT has received excellent feedback on their English and Afrikaans workshops at leading schools. See news items below.

Note: We are the experts on the language section NBT (AQL). For the Mathematics section, NBT (Mat) please contact Purple Pepper Maths.