Kiswahili, also known as Swahili, is one of the major languages spoken in Africa. Kiswahili is the name of the language (amongst its speakers) but for the purpose of intelligibility in English the term used is Swahili.

It is a Bantu language and is both an official and a national language in Tanzania and Kenya. In addition, it is the main lingua franca in almost the entire Eastern and Central African regions. It has spread rapidly and is now also spoken in parts of Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Malagasy, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa and the Comoro Islands. Swahili is listed among African languages with a long written history.

The East African Coast is believed to be home of first Swahili speakers and also its origin. The culture is is a blend of Arabic, Persian and Bantu cultures/ traditions, with influences from other many different cultures that Swahili has come into contact with. Aspects of diversity in Swahili culture can be clearly seen in its cuisine which has influences from Indian, Arabic and European cultures. It also has a rich tradition in arts and crafts as evidenced by the unique Swahili furniture and architecture as well as early buildings, music, and dress code.

Currently the number of people who speak Swahili as their first language is over 50 million and the number of people who speak it as second or third language is tens of millions more. In recent years, efforts have been made worldwide to include Swahili in Higher Education curriculums.

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Qualifications framework level: CEFR A1, ALTE Breakthrough

Prerequisites

For absolute beginners, or for those with very little knowledge of Swahili.

Educational Aims

At the Basic level the main aims are:

• To develop a basic understanding and an appreciation of the salient linguistic features;
• To establish the learner as a fairly confident language user in a range of every-day predictable situations;
• To introduce students to the cultural background of the Swahili speaking world within the context of language teaching.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the Course students will be able to:

Listening/Speaking	Understand basic instructions or take part in a basic factual conversation on a predictable topic.
Reading	Understand a set of basic notices, instructions or information.
Writing	To write a brief message or an e-mail.

Topics

The Course introduces students to the following functions and notions:

• Greetings
• Using titles and terms of address
• Introducing self, friends and family
• Giving your nationality, age and profession
• Exchanging phone numbers
• Making arrangements
• Talking about daily routine
• Talking about hobbies
• Ordering food and drink
• Paying the bill
• Shopping at the market
• Booking accommodation
• Expressing likes and dislikes

Syllabus:

Swahili Basic 1

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Offered in Easter term

Qualifications framework level: CEFR A2, ALTE Level 1

Prerequisites: CULP Basic 1 / CEFR A1 / ALTE Breakthrough

Educational Aims

At the Basic 2 level the main aims are:

• To establish the learner as a confident language user in a range of predictable everyday situations;
• To further develop the understanding and an appreciation of the salient linguistic features of the language;
• To enhance students understanding of to the historical and cultural background of the Swahili speaking world;

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the Course students will be able to:

Listening/Speaking	Express opinions on abstract/cultural matters in a limited way or offer advice within a known area, and understand instructions or public announcements.
Reading	Understand routine information and articles, and the general meaning of non-routine information within a familiar area.
Writing	Write brief letters or make notes on familiar or predictable matters.

Topics

The Course introduces students to functions and notions such as:

• To be able to describe one's routine, free time and weekends;
• To be able to describe one's work experience including previous studies/jobs;
• To be able to talk about one's health, request medication and understand instructions given by a doctor or pharmacist;
• To be able to discuss lifestyles, cooking and food;
• To be able to talk about the past and compare it with the present, tell about historic events;
• To be able to comment on one's plans and wishes, and to analyse what one would do in a variety of hypothetical situations.

Syllabus:

Swahili Basic 2

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Offered depending on demand.

Qualifications framework level: CEFR B1, ALTE Threshold

Prerequisites: CULP Basic 2 / CEFR A2

Educational Aims

The main aims of Intermediate 1 Swahili course are:

• To develop the learner's knowledge of Swahili grammar and build up vocabulary
• To equip the learner with basic understanding of familiar matters including at home, work, school and other social settings in Swahili
• To enable the learner to respond to the most situations that are likely to arise in conversation and interaction with standard Swahili speakers
• To familiarise the learner with knowledge of cultural background of Swahili people in Swahili East Africa and the areas where Swahili is now spoken
• To encourage the learner to use Swahili with confidence and creativity

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the Course students will be able to:

Listening/Speaking	- Take part in routine conversation on predictable topics - Express views, ideas, opinions and feeling on a range of familiar concrete and abstract socio-cultural issues - Understand the salient details of conversations, familiar TV and radio broadcasts and simple phone messages
Reading	- Understand routine information and articles e.g. menu, letters, forms, adverts, instructions, brochures and the salient points of non-routine information
Writing	- Write short messages, notices, instructions, letters, and short and simple narrative stories on familiar topics - Take brief notes during meetings and from given sources and make summaries

Topics

The Course introduces and familiarises students to the following functions and notions:

• Introducing yourself, family, and introducing others (extended)
• Talking about future plans and dreams
• Daily life including routine activities, hobbies, food, drinks, likes and dislikes
• Shopping: Clothes and foodstuff, including the concept of bargaining
• Ordering meals and drinks and Swahili recipes
• Travel (extended)
• Talking about Swahili East Africa: cities, hotels, game parks, beaches etc.
• Talking about major cities worldwide, weather, population, cost of living and safety
• Renting accommodation
• Giving advice, opinions and expressing feelings
• Story telling in Swahili culture
• Understanding Swahili Culture -Wedding customs, Beliefs and superstitions, Kanga, Music, Swahili festivities, eating etiquette etc

Syllabus:

Swahili Intermediate 1

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Standard (1 session per week) - Michaelmas-Lent 2023/24

SIDARBS3 = Sidgwick Site, Alison Richard Building S3

	Wednesday
Basic 1	14:00 - 16:00 (SIDARBS3) 17:00 - 19:00 (SIDARBS3)

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