Subject Choices for Grade 10 - 12
Subject Choices for Grade 10 - 12
Considerations to assist you to make informed subject choices
This section gives an overview of the choices, constraints and impacts of Subject Choices for Grade 9’s for their Grade 10-12 years, along with more detail on each individual subject. Please click on a subject choice to review videos, slides and frequently asked questions, and download the Subject Choice Booklet.
In the video below, Jane Jarvis, the DSG educational psychologist, gives an overview of the available choices.
Subjects by Option Group
Click on a link to view more about that subject.
Option 2
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is isiXhosa easier than Afrikaans?
A: There is a general impression that Xhosa will be easier than Afrikaans – it is only easier if the learner speaks Xhosa already – otherwise it involves a lot of hard work – learning vocabulary, and practicing applying grammar when writing and speaking. Those learners who succeed display commitment and self-discipline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who can take Mandarin?A: Pupils who took Mandarin as SAL or FAL when they were in Grade 8.
Q: Can a native Mandarin-speaking pupil take this subject? Are they qualified to write the IEB Mandarin SAL examination?
A: Yes. They can take and write it as an IEB matriculation subject.
Q: Will the pupils write characters for the exam papers?
A: Yes. There will be two papers, Paper One and Paper Two. Pinyin will be provided with the texts in the papers. Paper One is on Reading and Viewing Language. In Paper Two (Writing Presenting Language), pupils are required to write characters. It involves writing narrative/descriptive, transactional texts and so on.
Q: If I am a South African who has been out of the country for over three years, can I write Mandarin when I matriculate?
A: Yes. However, they would need to apply to be exempted from doing FAL in Option 2.
Q: I am not a South African pupil. Can I write Mandarin SAL?
A: Yes, you can. Pupils of other nationalities can write Mandarin SAL with exemption from doing FAL (First Additional Language).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is CAT?
A: CAT stands for COMPUTER APPLICATIONS TECHNOLOGY, a subject with both a practical and theoretical component.
The Practical Part includes:
- The mastering of advanced Computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and Access
- How to code a web page using HTML in Notepad
Option 3
NEED CONTENT
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the latest I can change from Maths to Maths Literacy?
A: At the beginning of the Grade 12 year. Changing later than this creates complications and puts unnecessary pressure on catching up portfolio requirements.
Q: Can I study Commerce with Maths Literacy?
A: Yes, but it depends on where you intend studying. Each tertiary institution has their own specific entrance requirements for Commerce courses, so you will need to check directly with each tertiary institution itself.
Option 4
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who can take Mandarin?A: Pupils who took Mandarin as SAL or FAL when they were in Grade 8.
Q: Can a native Mandarin-speaking pupil take this subject? Are they qualified to write the IEB Mandarin SAL examination?
A: Yes. They can take and write it as an IEB matriculation subject.
Q: Will the pupils write characters for the exam papers?
A: Yes. There will be two papers, Paper One and Paper Two. Pinyin will be provided with the texts in the papers. Paper One is on Reading and Viewing Language. In Paper Two (Writing Presenting Language), pupils are required to write characters. It involves writing narrative/descriptive, transactional texts and so on.
Q: If I am a South African who has been out of the country for over three years, can I write Mandarin when I matriculate?
A: Yes. However, they would need to apply to be exempted from doing FAL in Option 2.
Q: I am not a South African pupil. Can I write Mandarin SAL?
A: Yes, you can. Pupils of other nationalities can write Mandarin SAL with exemption from doing FAL (First Additional Language).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does this subject teach you?
A: You learn what a computer can do, how to create something from scratch and how to code. You need to like to solve problems and know Maths functions. There is a shortage of computer programmers in SA so career opportunities are high.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Life Sciences?
A: Commonly known as “Biology”, but the subject involves more science, applied techniques, ethics and critical thinking skills than the “traditional Biology”. It is not only a “content subject”.
Q: Do I need to take Life Sciences as a subject at school if I would like to study medicine?
A: No, it is not required, but is recommended.
Q: How many examinations are there in Grade 12 Life Sciences?
A: There are three. Two theory and a practical examination. Practical examinations also form part of the portfolio mark (and count about a quarter of the final mark).
Q: Is it a fun subject?
A: It is! Learners enjoy the practical aspects of the subject and enjoy learning about life around them, as well as about how their own bodies function.
Option 5
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is History all about essay-writing?
A: No. There are three different types of essays which require slightly different skills for Matric. These need to be practised frequently. However, the essay component of the final Matric exam makes up 50% of the two papers. The other 50% is made up of questions which require comprehension, extraction, application and analytical skills in ‘short’ answers.
Q: Do I have to read?
A: Yes. History is a study of literature. Most History has been written and therefore one has to acquire that knowledge and perspective by reading. The more one reads, the greater the understanding.
Q: How much will I have to learn?
A: How long is a piece of string? The more one reads, the more knowledge and understanding one acquires… All of which helps the learning process.
Q: How much studying will I have to do?
A: History requires reading and then, analysing. It is not just a regurgitation of the facts. It requires an analysis of the evidence in the context of a question or inquiry. It therefore requires a great deal of time to absorb and analyse the topic.
Q: What if I struggle with aspects of the English language? Does that mean I can’t do History?
A: No, although the subject requires a high level of comprehension, understanding and analysis of the written material to achieve a high mark, those who have a genuine love for History, but are weaker in languages can still do well, provided that they read and practice their essay-writing.
Q: What do we learn from the past?
A: An understanding that the current world is a combination of events from the past. These past events, some distant, some recent, have shaped the economic, social and political world in which we live. It therefore offers a balanced and insightful understanding of ‘current affairs’.
Q: Do we only do ‘boring South African’ History?
A: There is no such thing as ‘boring South African’ History. Living in SA, we need to understand the complexities of our people and our land. Studying SA History is critical to that end. However, the topics also include a wide range of topics which have shaped the modern world, including, but not limited to the Russian Revolution, modern day genocides, scientific racism, the Cold War and the collapse of Communism.
Q: What else does it teach me?
A: The acquisition of transferable skills. History is not confined to ‘understanding or learning the past’. The study of History allows the acquisition of multiple skills including: empathy, cultural understanding, presentation of argument, and a gamut of analytical, diagnostic and evaluation techniques. These abilities can be applied to wide variety of disciplines.
In addition, History teaches an element of intellectual independence. Students are taught to logically apply, from their own interpretation and analysis of the evidence, their own opinion.
History is a humanity and it teaches the ‘good and bad’ about civilisation and humankind. Based on this, students obtain a deep understanding of their place within mankind.
Option 6
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is History all about essay-writing?
A: No. There are three different types of essays which require slightly different skills for Matric. These need to be practised frequently. However, the essay component of the final Matric exam makes up 50% of the two papers. The other 50% is made up of questions which require comprehension, extraction, application and analytical skills in ‘short’ answers.
Q: Do I have to read?
A: Yes. History is a study of literature. Most History has been written and therefore one has to acquire that knowledge and perspective by reading. The more one reads, the greater the understanding.
Q: How much will I have to learn?
A: How long is a piece of string? The more one reads, the more knowledge and understanding one acquires… All of which helps the learning process.
Q: How much studying will I have to do?
A: History requires reading and then, analysing. It is not just a regurgitation of the facts. It requires an analysis of the evidence in the context of a question or inquiry. It therefore requires a great deal of time to absorb and analyse the topic.
Q: What if I struggle with aspects of the English language? Does that mean I can’t do History?
A: No, although the subject requires a high level of comprehension, understanding and analysis of the written material to achieve a high mark, those who have a genuine love for History, but are weaker in languages can still do well, provided that they read and practice their essay-writing.
Q: What do we learn from the past?
A: An understanding that the current world is a combination of events from the past. These past events, some distant, some recent, have shaped the economic, social and political world in which we live. It therefore offers a balanced and insightful understanding of ‘current affairs’.
Q: Do we only do ‘boring South African’ History?
A: There is no such thing as ‘boring South African’ History. Living in SA, we need to understand the complexities of our people and our land. Studying SA History is critical to that end. However, the topics also include a wide range of topics which have shaped the modern world, including, but not limited to the Russian Revolution, modern day genocides, scientific racism, the Cold War and the collapse of Communism.
Q: What else does it teach me?
A: The acquisition of transferable skills. History is not confined to ‘understanding or learning the past’. The study of History allows the acquisition of multiple skills including: empathy, cultural understanding, presentation of argument, and a gamut of analytical, diagnostic and evaluation techniques. These abilities can be applied to wide variety of disciplines.
In addition, History teaches an element of intellectual independence. Students are taught to logically apply, from their own interpretation and analysis of the evidence, their own opinion.
History is a humanity and it teaches the ‘good and bad’ about civilisation and humankind. Based on this, students obtain a deep understanding of their place within mankind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Life Sciences?
A: Commonly known as “Biology”, but the subject involves more science, applied techniques, ethics and critical thinking skills than the “traditional Biology”. It is not only a “content subject”.
Q: Do I need to take Life Sciences as a subject at school if I would like to study medicine?
A: No, it is not required, but is recommended.
Q: How many examinations are there in Grade 12 Life Sciences?
A: There are three. Two theory and a practical examination. Practical examinations also form part of the portfolio mark (and count about a quarter of the final mark).
Q: Is it a fun subject?
A: It is! Learners enjoy the practical aspects of the subject and enjoy learning about life around them, as well as about how their own bodies function.
Additional Cambridge A Level Courses
No Admission fee is charged. We do recommend that you return the form as soon as possible. An Entrance Deposit is requested once the pupil has been accepted the year prior to entry.