Communicative Swahili for intermediate language learners

This course aims to improve students’ ability to speak, understand, read, and write Kiswahili, enabling students to handle basic daily tasks and interactions with others (culturally appropriate greetings, introductions, market interactions, relating everyday experiences, asking directions, etc.) Also, this course seeks to develop an expanded knowledge of Tanzanian cultural practices through Kiswahili, including familiarity with culturally appropriate behaviour associated with language use in various contexts. In this course, students catch on to Tanzanian Tourism with a key focus on prominent places like Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, etc.

I go by the name Mwalimu Simon Kofi Egleh. I am currently a graduate student studying Applied Linguistics at Ohio University in Athens- Ohio. Kiswahili (in English ‘Swahili’) has been my cherished asset. I started my Swahili acquisition back home in Ghana with little motivation whatsoever. I later, through some awakening realized that as an African, what makes me an African? This journey to acquire Swahili to the advanced levels is a journey of what I called the ‘Africanization’ of myself. With experience from East Africa and knowledge as an Applied Linguist, I designed this course for Africans, Europeans, Americans, and the world at large to tap into the culture of Africa through the most spoken African Language SWAHILI.

As the name of the course goes ‘Communicative Swahili for intermediate language learners, the purpose of this course will create a solid foundation for learners to start and engage in meaningful conversations in Swahili. Less focus will be placed on strict grammar points and writing. Students will, in most sessions have scenarios to work with. These scenarios are aimed to create a situation or context to start a conversation with a partner. Topics to treat will cover areas of culture, grammar, Speaking, and listening. Below are the selected topics students are expected to engage in meaningful conversations around,

1. Ability to introduce themselves and others
2. Competence in giving out directions to strangers
3. Describe the details of how they spent their Holidays
4. Be able to seek permission to attend the hospital
5. Ability to change a country’s currency into another country’s currency
6. Describe one’s University or College

The instructor is always ready and willing to receive constructive feedback and questions from students.