‘Brilliant learner’ gets 8 As
A TEEN with a hearing disability achieved eight distinctions in last year’s final matric exam, including in Tamil.
Vianka Gounden, 18, of Kharwastan Secondary, obtained As in English, Afrikaans, Tamil, life orientation, maths, physical science, life science and history.
She said she was relieved that her hard work had paid off.
“I was hoping to get all As. So I was really happy when I received my results. I always had faith in God. My parents and little sister were very supportive,” she said.
Gounden lost her hearing in her left ear after a mumps infection at the age of 10.
“The hearing aids have helped a lot and allowed me to be able to interact in class. I’ll now be studying speech language and hearing therapy at Stellenbosch University. Speech and hearing have always been a passion because of my own experience,” she said.
Gounden, who is from Westcliff in Chatsworth, said Tamil was always deep in her roots.
“It is a beautiful and expressive language. I grew up watching Tamil movies and wanted to learn the language. I prefer watching without subtitles and therefore prefer learning the language. Unfortunately, it was not offered at my primary school.
“I know a bit of Hindi, but I’m studying Korean as I watch a lot of K-dramas.”
Janusundri Naidoo, the Tamil teacher, said although Vianka only started learning Tamil in Grade 8, she was able to learn the language quickly.
“She was a brilliant learner. She’s one of the hard workers,” she said.
Naidoo said although Eastern languages were no longer part of the school timetable, they were able to teach pupils in the mornings or afternoons. And with Covid they were able to have lessons during the breaks.
Naidoo said all seven pupils who took Tamil at Kharwastan Secondary achieved distinctions.
“While Tamil is an additional language subject, there are children who are very keen to learn it. Especially those who come from cultural backgrounds, Tamil is one of their interests.
“We start with 25 to 30 in Grade 8, and as the years go it becomes difficult for them," said Naidoo.