Course content 

ALL THREE teaching areas: Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary (High school).

Usually, completing a course of this nature would entail travelling abroad for a two-week period. However, we've devised an accessible approach right here in South Africa:

 1. We're bringing the presenters to you

 2. We're offering a hybrid course, combining online and in-person presentations. 

The online hours will be completed over a period of 6 weeks before the course, for two hours on Saturdays, starting in May. 

METHODOLOGY, MATERIALS & PRACTICUM

• Early Childhood 2 (Pre-school)

• Primary 1 & Early Childhood 3 (Primary school)

• Primary 2 (only if Primary level 1 is completed)

• Secondary 1 (High school)

• Secondary 2 (only if Secondary level 1 is completed)

• Secondary 3 (only if Secondary levels 1 & 2 are completed)

MUSICIANSHIP

• Level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

CONDUCTING

• Level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

CHOIR

COURSE OPTIONS

R10 000 p/p (Early Bird Discount of R9000 ends 31 January 2023)

These options include all the modules and the methodological phases. Attendees are required to select the required musicianship and conducting levels in the registration form (except for Early Childhood 2, which has a research module instead of conducting). 

• Early Childhood 2: musicianship, methodology, materials & practicum, research, choir.

• Primary 1 & Early Childhood 3: musicianship, methodology, materials & practicum, conducting, choir.

• Primary 2: musicianship, methodology, materials & practicum, conducting, choir.

• Secondary 1: musicianship, methodology, materials & practicum, conducting, choir.

• Secondary 2: musicianship, methodology, materials & practicum, conducting, choir.

• Secondary 3: musicianship, methodology, materials & practicum, conducting, choir

It is your choice whether to complete modules for assessment towards an International Kodály certificate. Choose the Assessed or Non-assessed option on the registration form. You can change your mind during the course, just let your lecturers know.

Those who don't do assessments will still receive a certificate of attendance.

We strongly advise you to do the accreditation/assessment, as it will really improve your overall music skills. But if you feel at any time that the evaluation is too hard, change to non-assessed and try again the next year.  Sometimes it is a better option for a teacher who is new to the Kodály approach to first do the non-assessed option and get used to the concepts before doing the assessment.

If you received a bursary, you must complete the assessment!

The Methodological levels (including methodology as well as practicum and materials modules) refer to the ages of the learners in that teaching phase. While emphasis will be placed on a specific age range, the principles, tools, and materials (including songs and games) presented can be effectively utilised and adjusted for both older and younger learners. Attending methodology classes in other phases is highly advantageous, providing a comprehensive understanding of the entire educational landscape and facilitating a more holistic and purposeful teaching approach. 

• Primary and Secondary methodology modules must be taken in order, beginning with Level 1. The only exception is Early Childhood methodology, which can be completed in any order.  Primary 1–3 covers the methodology for teaching Primary school learners (ages 7–13). Secondary 1–3 covers the methodology for teaching High School learners (ages 14–18). 

• Musicianship and Conducting are the only modules in which levels refer to your musical skills. Please check the standards of each level or module, as explained below.

Choosing the Musicianship level

The link below indicates the sight-singing solfège proficiency level you will be required to sing during the course. This is just a guideline. If you have a music degree or a solid music background and extensive solfège training, we advise that you start with levels 4 and 5 (Advanced Musicianship). Otherwise, start with level 1. 

Levels One to Four

Choosing the Conducting level

1.  If you have never conducted before or have some experience in conducting but have not had any formal training and are unsure of the basics, select level one.

2.  If you know you have an appropriate conducting posture, mastery of the 2- and 3-beat patterns, command of cues and cut-offs on the first beat of the bar and can provide the starting pitch with a tuning fork, select level 2.

3.  If you know you have an appropriate conducting posture, mastery of the 2-, 3-, and 4-beat patterns, command of cues and cut-offs on the first and last beats of the bar and can provide the starting pitch with a tuning fork, select level 3.

4.  If you know you have an appropriate conducting posture, mastery of the 2-, 3-, and 4-beat patterns, as well as irregular beat patterns, command of cues and cut-offs on all beats, can provide the starting pitch with a tuning fork and can work well with an accompanist, and also do time signature changes, select level 4.

Participating in methodology classes across various phases offers significant benefits, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the entire Kodály approach to music education - enabling a more holistic and purposeful teaching approach. Our presenters, who are master educators, are dedicated to assisting individuals regardless of their background in musicianship. For instance, if you are a novice in music reading and solfa singing, you will receive support in musicianship level 1. Conversely, if you possess proficiency in music reading and solfa singing, you will find challenges in musicianship level 4.

Given the expansive nature of the Kodály approach in music education, revisiting the same module is never time misspent. This practice ensures the internalisation of principles, skills, and tools at an even deeper level than before, thereby enhancing your capabilities as an educator.

If a teacher has completed their full Certification of three years, they will be granted a discount to attend the course only for non-assessment, to help keep their life-long learning going.

Limited bursaries are available. Teachers or students who wish to attend but do not have the finances to pay the full fees are invited to fill in the bursary form below with a clear motivation as to why they require a bursary. Teachers who have already done the course for assessment will get preference.

If you received a bursary, you must choose the assessment option. Do not fill in the Registration form, until you received notification in March that you received a bursary. It is not a given that you will receive a bursary if you applied for one. Please have a meeting with your principal first, to make sure your school will not pay for you.

Applications for bursaries close on 28 February 2026