How to use South African Culture to Improve your English
- Centre for Language Learning
- Dec 12, 2025
- 2 min read
One of the best steps you can take to improve your language learning is to get involved in
the local community. Engaging in local culture can give you many opportunities to practise
what you already know, and provide even more chances to learn something new.
When we tell you to engage in local culture, what we really mean is: live like a local. Here
are some great ways to do that, wherever you are in South Africa.
Visit local markets (flea markets and food markets)
A flea market is a kind of open-air market where people sell anything from food and toys to books and clothes. Markets are a great way to practise greetings and bargaining skills. You can usually find wonderful souvenirs there and you might also learn a thing or two about South African food!
Go to sports matches
The most popular stadium in Pretoria is Loftus. The University of Pretoria also has an
excellent sports campus so look out for posters or advertisements telling you about
sports events in the future. This is a good way to practise listening and you will enjoy
some world-class sport at the same time. Tickets are often available at the door but
to ensure you get a good seat, we recommend buying tickets online.
Learn local slang
If you haven’t noticed by now, South Africa is a colourful country – from our heritage
and culture to our language. South Africans have taken the English language and
really made it our own. Some beautiful (and interesting) examples of South African
slang include: ‘now now’ (meaning, in a moment); ‘shongologo’ (refers to a large
black millipede); and ‘yebo’ (meaning, yes). There are so many others that we have
added a link to a website that shares a whole list of idioms and expressions unique to
South Africa, so check it out!
Join seasonal events
We are lucky to have excellent weather in South Africa in general, but Pretoria is
possibly the most comfortable city to live in. There are often events that change
according to the season, such as Jacaranda walks, Heritage Day braais, and Spring
music festivals. Find an event, gather some neighbours, friends or family, and have
some fun in English!
When you live in a new country where you don’t fluently speak the language, it can be scary to get involved in the environment but engaging in cultural activities like these can help you apply your knowledge and learn new vocabulary, listening skills and speaking skills.
Step out of your comfort zone, go out into the community, get involved and see how your language learning changes. Let us know what activities you’ve enjoyed and which one you’re taking part in next!
Sources:
1. Markets:
Irene Vintage Market: https://www.irenemarket.co.za/
Vintro Clothing Market: https://vintroclothing.co.za/
Pretoria Boeremark: https://pretoriaboeremark.co.za/
Hazel Food Market: https://web.facebook.com/hazelfoodmarket/?_rdc=1&_rdr#
Bus Stop 7: https://www.busstop7.co.za/
Market @ The Sheds: https://marketatthesheds.co.za/
Montana Family Market: https://www.montanafamilymarket.co.za/
2. Sports events:
University of Pretoria Sports: https://www.up.ac.za/tukssport/calendar
3. South African Idioms and Slang:
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Guide/Invertebrates/Millipedes
4. Seasonal events:
Jacaranda Walks: https://www.inyourpocket.com/johannesburg/where-to-find-the-
best-jacaranda-views-and-streets_73995f
Heritage Day Events: https://joburg.co.za/entertainment-heritage-day-events/
Music Festivals: https://www.howler.co.za/events/spring-day-6cf7
Using Space Waves South Africa’s rich culture as a learning tool transforms English from a subject into a living experience. By engaging with music, films, literature, and people, you don’t just learn English—you live it.
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Thank you for such an insightful post! I’ve often found that diving into local culture, like South African traditions or even popular games like FNAF, really enhances my language skills. When I started exploring different cultural references in English, it opened up so many great conversations! How do you think integrating specific cultural elements, like music or art from South Africa, can aid in learning more effectively?
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