, PLEASE USE THIS DOCUMENT AS A GUIDE TO ANSWER YOUR ASSIGNMENT
1. In an essay of NO MORE THAN 1000 WORDS (about 3 pages), evaluate the appropriateness
of the two texts provided above for an Intermediate Phase FAL (first additional language) South
African classroom. You should evaluate the appropriateness of each text for an Intermediate
Phase FAL South African classroom in relation to the following four aspects:
age appropriateness in terms of style and themes,
moral and ethical learning,
emotional and mental development, and
promoting inclusivity.
Your essay should contain:
an introduction, which outlines the main argument of your essay and provides
a roadmap for how the rest of your essay will be structured;
a body, which evaluates the appropriateness of both texts in terms of the four aspects listed
above; and
a conclusion, which sums up the main points of your argument.
Essay 1
This essay evaluates the appropriateness of Why the Bat Flies at Night (Nalibali, 2025) and The
Robin's Lament (Gozelski, 2024) for an Intermediate Phase First Additional Language (FAL) South
African classroom. The evaluation focuses on four critical aspects: age appropriateness in terms of
style and themes, moral and ethical learning, emotional and mental development, and promoting
inclusivity. Each text is assessed for its suitability to engage learners within this age group,
considering their developmental needs, cultural context, and the role literature plays in fostering a
well-rounded education.
Evaluation of Why the Bat Flies at Night
Why the Bat Flies at Night is an origin myth that tells a story of jealousy and betrayal, followed by
consequences for the actions of the characters involved. This text is age-appropriate for Intermediate
Phase learners, particularly in terms of its narrative style and the themes it explores.
Age Appropriateness (Style and Themes)
The story uses simple, direct language that is accessible to young readers. Its style is traditional, with
clear and straightforward storytelling typical of myths and folktales, making it familiar and engaging
for children (Nalibali, 2025). The themes of jealousy, betrayal, and justice are relatable and easy for
children between the ages of 8 and 11 to comprehend. The progression of the plot, following a clear
sequence of events, allows learners to understand and engage with the story’s structure without
difficulty.
Moral and Ethical Learning
The story offers valuable moral lessons, particularly about the consequences of negative emotions
such as jealousy and deceit. The character Mamanthwane's actions result in both personal isolation
and the disfigurement of another character, Legotlo. This emphasizes the destructive nature of
dishonesty and the importance of integrity. The swift justice imposed by the king and queen
underscores the idea that wrongdoings should be addressed, and good should triumph over evil
(Nalibali, 2025). These moral lessons encourage discussions about the importance of honesty, the
impact of jealousy on relationships, and the significance of making ethical choices.
1. In an essay of NO MORE THAN 1000 WORDS (about 3 pages), evaluate the appropriateness
of the two texts provided above for an Intermediate Phase FAL (first additional language) South
African classroom. You should evaluate the appropriateness of each text for an Intermediate
Phase FAL South African classroom in relation to the following four aspects:
age appropriateness in terms of style and themes,
moral and ethical learning,
emotional and mental development, and
promoting inclusivity.
Your essay should contain:
an introduction, which outlines the main argument of your essay and provides
a roadmap for how the rest of your essay will be structured;
a body, which evaluates the appropriateness of both texts in terms of the four aspects listed
above; and
a conclusion, which sums up the main points of your argument.
Essay 1
This essay evaluates the appropriateness of Why the Bat Flies at Night (Nalibali, 2025) and The
Robin's Lament (Gozelski, 2024) for an Intermediate Phase First Additional Language (FAL) South
African classroom. The evaluation focuses on four critical aspects: age appropriateness in terms of
style and themes, moral and ethical learning, emotional and mental development, and promoting
inclusivity. Each text is assessed for its suitability to engage learners within this age group,
considering their developmental needs, cultural context, and the role literature plays in fostering a
well-rounded education.
Evaluation of Why the Bat Flies at Night
Why the Bat Flies at Night is an origin myth that tells a story of jealousy and betrayal, followed by
consequences for the actions of the characters involved. This text is age-appropriate for Intermediate
Phase learners, particularly in terms of its narrative style and the themes it explores.
Age Appropriateness (Style and Themes)
The story uses simple, direct language that is accessible to young readers. Its style is traditional, with
clear and straightforward storytelling typical of myths and folktales, making it familiar and engaging
for children (Nalibali, 2025). The themes of jealousy, betrayal, and justice are relatable and easy for
children between the ages of 8 and 11 to comprehend. The progression of the plot, following a clear
sequence of events, allows learners to understand and engage with the story’s structure without
difficulty.
Moral and Ethical Learning
The story offers valuable moral lessons, particularly about the consequences of negative emotions
such as jealousy and deceit. The character Mamanthwane's actions result in both personal isolation
and the disfigurement of another character, Legotlo. This emphasizes the destructive nature of
dishonesty and the importance of integrity. The swift justice imposed by the king and queen
underscores the idea that wrongdoings should be addressed, and good should triumph over evil
(Nalibali, 2025). These moral lessons encourage discussions about the importance of honesty, the
impact of jealousy on relationships, and the significance of making ethical choices.
