The Khoisan Legacy

Cloze texts like this one about the Khoisan serve several educational purposes. They encourage students to engage actively with the material, requiring them to think critically about the context to fill in the gaps. This process enhances reading comprehension and retention of the information provided. Specifically, for the topic of early South African history, it introduces learners to the indigenous Khoisan people in a way that highlights their significant role and contributions. By focusing on aspects such as their hunting skills, language, and culture, the text fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Khoisan's legacy. Additionally, the use of a cloze text supports vocabulary development, especially with unique terms associated with the Khoisan, such as their distinctive click sounds in language and their practices of rock art and harmony with nature. This method of learning can be particularly beneficial in the exploratory phases of a topic, allowing students to connect with historical content in an interactive manner, which is more engaging than traditional rote memorization. Furthermore, discussing the answers collectively can enhance classroom dynamics by promoting discussion and peer learning.