What’s the most challenging thing about teaching Xhosa to students who only know English?
I’ve got a spirit, I don’t know how to tell the spirit I’ve got. We call it umoya. There are limitations of language. I cannot express myself fully the way that I feel. That’s why I prefer to express myself in song in class. Was music a big part of your life growing up in South Africa? I grew up in a family that sings. I love to sing. When I’m sad, when I’m happy, I sing. I sing praises as well. So to me, singing is me. I am Mr. Singer. Will you sing for me? It has to come. It is a spirit that has to come. What first got you interested in teaching? It is because I am the person who likes to talk. Yes, I am a person who likes to narrate stories. So it’s always so nice to transfer that knowledge I have to other people. What surprised you the most about Chicago? The snow is terrible. There’s that coldness in the evening it’s — I don’t even know how to explain it, it’s horrible. But I’m so grateful today because there is sunshine, and it means I can go anywhere. I’m so grateful. Are Americ
