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Julius Muange

This is an introductory course in Spoken Kiswahili taught by Julius Muange and produced by Orrasis. 

Julius Muange has been teaching Swahili as a Spoken language for over 25 years. During this time he has taught in schools, universities and several organizations such as US Peace Corps, Divine World Missionaries, British Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) as well as Lewis and Clark College from the USA. 

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This is an introductory course in Spoken Kiswahili taught by Julius Muange and produced by Orrasis. 

Julius Muange has been teaching Swahili as a Spoken language for over 25 years. During this time he has taught in schools, universities and several organizations such as US Peace Corps, Divine World Missionaries, British Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) as well as Lewis and Clark College from the USA. 

Julius Muange teaches this course in English through video presentations along with downloadable PDFs which will contain vocabulary and grammar construction notes. This beginners course will teach greetings, introductions, present continuous tense, past tense, future tense, and numbers. Various themes will be used to build vocabulary while learning the lessons. 

Please join us in this course. 

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Greet people in swahili.
  • Introduce yourself and others in swahili.
  • Say numbers in swahili.
  • Speak simple sentences in swahili.

Syllabus

Greetings

In this lesson, you will learn how to greet people in various situations and times of the day.

Quiz on Greetings
Introductions in Swahili
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In this lesson, you will learn how to introduce your name as well as the names of others.

In this lesson, you will learn how to introduce yourself and others using "be called".

Quiz on Introducing Oneself and Others

In this lesson, you will learn to introduce where you and others are from as in which city and country you come from.

Quiz on Where one Comes From

In this lesson, you will learn how to introduce yourself and others based on nationality and profession.

Quiz on Introducing Nationality and Profession
Common conversations in Swahili

In this lesson, you will learn how to use coming from as in, coming from a particular location.

Quiz on using Coming From

In this lesson, you will learn how to use going to, to explain where you and others are going, as well as to inquire where others are going to.

Quiz on using Going To

In this lesson, you will learn how to use Staying to explain where you and others are staying.

Quiz on using Staying

In this lesson, you will learn how to explain what you and others are doing.

Quiz on using Doing
Present Tense

In this lesson, you will learn how to use verbs in the present tense and construct sentences in the present tense.

Quiz on Present Tense
Past Tense

In this lesson, you will learn how to use verbs in the past tense and construct sentences in the past tense.

Quiz on Past Tense
Future Tense

In this lesson, you will learn how to use verbs in the future tense and construct sentences in the future tense.

Quiz on Future Tense
Numbers

In this lesson, you will learn numbers in Swahili as well as how to request for items, request prices, and perform the mathematical operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in Swahili.

Quiz on Numbers
Conclusion

Thanks very much for going through this course. We hope that it has been useful.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Taught by Julius Muange, who has over 25 years of experience teaching Swahili to diverse groups, including the US Peace Corps and British Voluntary Service Overseas
Uses various themes to build vocabulary, which helps learners to quickly grasp the language in a practical and engaging manner
Covers greetings, introductions, present, past, and future tenses, and numbers, which are essential for basic communication in Swahili
Includes quizzes after each lesson, which allows learners to assess their understanding and reinforce their learning of the material

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Spoken Swahili with these activities:
Review Basic Grammar Concepts
Reviewing basic grammar concepts will help you grasp the Swahili grammar rules taught in the course more easily.
Show steps
  • Review English grammar concepts such as verb tenses and sentence structure.
  • Identify areas where you need a refresher.
  • Practice constructing simple sentences in English.
Read 'Swahili Grammar and Workbook'
Reading a Swahili grammar book will provide a solid foundation for understanding the grammatical concepts taught in the course.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Swahili Grammar and Workbook'.
  • Read the chapters related to the topics covered in the course syllabus.
  • Complete the exercises in the workbook to practice your grammar skills.
Practice Swahili Greetings and Introductions
Practicing greetings and introductions will help you become more comfortable with basic Swahili conversations.
Show steps
  • Create a list of common Swahili greetings and introductions.
  • Practice saying them aloud, focusing on pronunciation.
  • Role-play conversations with a friend or language partner.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Swahili Vocabulary Flashcard Set
Creating flashcards will help you memorize Swahili vocabulary and improve your retention of new words.
Show steps
  • Compile a list of new Swahili words learned in each lesson.
  • Create flashcards with the Swahili word on one side and the English translation on the other.
  • Use the flashcards to practice vocabulary regularly.
Practice Conversational Swahili with a Language Partner
Practicing with a language partner will improve your fluency and confidence in speaking Swahili.
Show steps
  • Find a language partner who is also learning Swahili.
  • Schedule regular practice sessions.
  • Engage in conversations using the vocabulary and grammar learned in the course.
Explore 'Teach Yourself Swahili'
Reading a comprehensive Swahili textbook will provide a broader understanding of the language and culture.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Teach Yourself Swahili'.
  • Work through the chapters, focusing on areas where you need more practice.
  • Complete the exercises and activities in the book.
Write a Short Swahili Story
Writing a story will help you apply your Swahili knowledge creatively and improve your writing skills.
Show steps
  • Choose a simple topic for your story.
  • Write a short story using the vocabulary and grammar learned in the course.
  • Review and revise your story for accuracy.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Spoken Swahili will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Interpreter
An interpreter converts spoken language from one language to another in real-time, often in settings like meetings, conferences, or legal proceedings. This introductory Swahili course helps the interpreter learn basic Swahili communication, including greetings, introductions, and core grammar. Specifically, the course lessons on constructing sentences in present, past, and future tenses will help an interpreter to rapidly and effectively convert spoken Swahili to English. Taking this course helps you build a basic foundation in the language.
Translator
A translator converts written or spoken information from one language to another, making effective communication possible between individuals and groups who otherwise would not understand each other. This course focusing on Swahili communication, including greetings, introductions, and basic verb tenses allows a translator to begin to develop foundational communication skills. The course helps to build the ability to understand and produce authentic Swahili which is central to translating the language accurately. This course is a great fit for anyone starting out in translation.
Missionary
A missionary is a person sent on a religious mission, especially to promote Christianity in a foreign country. For a missionary working in East Africa, the ability to speak Swahili is essential for effective communication and engagement with the local community. This course will help a missionary to develop a foundation in the language as it focuses on spoken Swahili and provides instruction in greetings, introductions and basic verb tenses. This will help to increase the missionary's effectiveness. Taking this course helps build a foundation in Swahili.
Cultural Liaison
A cultural liaison works to bridge gaps in understanding between different cultures, facilitating communication and relationships. This role is often needed in organizations that serve diverse communities. This introductory Swahili course helps a cultural liaison initiate communication and build rapport with Swahili speakers. The course builds skills in greetings, introductions, and basic conversation. Taking this course can help to develop communication skills necessary in this role.
Travel Guide
A travel guide leads tours and provides tourist information, often in a specific region or country. For travel guides working in East Africa, Swahili language skills are highly beneficial in daily interactions with local populations. This introductory Swahili course helps build a basic competency in the language, including greetings, introductions, and practical phrases for daily conversation. The course equips travel guides with basic communication skills to facilitate work and build positive relationships with local people. This course will be useful for those taking on the role of travel guide.
Community Organizer
A community organizer works to mobilize and empower community members to address local issues and improve their quality of life. A community organizer working with Swahili speaking populations will need to understand the nuances of the local language. This Swahili course, which focuses on greetings, introductions, and basic verb tenses, helps community organizers in building rapport and having effective communications. Taking this course helps to build a solid foundation in the target language.
Journalist
A journalist researches, writes, and reports on news and current events. For a journalist working in East Africa, Swahili proficiency enhances their ability to gather information firsthand. This course helps journalists build basic communication skills in Swahili, including greetings, introductions, and basic grammar. The course focuses on spoken language, aiding journalists in conversing with Swahili speakers. Taking this course can enhance journalistic work in Swahili-speaking regions.
International Aid Worker
An international aid worker provides essential services and support to communities in need, often in developing countries. Many such countries are in East Africa, where Swahili is spoken, making the language critical for effective communication. This Swahili course emphasizes practical conversational skills, including greetings, introductions, and basic tenses, helping international aid workers to communicate with local populations. The course builds a solid foundation for more effective field work and collaboration with local communities. This course may be useful for one who wants to work in international aid.
Teacher
A teacher educates students in a specific subject or at a particular grade level. A teacher working with Swahili speaking populations overseas or in domestic settings will need to be able to communicate effectively in the student's first language. This course, which focuses on greetings, introductions, and basic verb tenses will help a teacher develop foundational communication skills. This course will help a teacher to develop skills central to connecting with students
Social Worker
A social worker provides support, resources, and advocacy for individuals and families facing challenges. A social worker that works with Swahili speaking populations will need to be able to communicate effectively in that language. This course focuses on greetings, introductions, and basic verb tenses, enabling social workers to build foundational communication skills. This course may be useful for those who wish to become a social worker.
Foreign Service Officer
A Foreign Service Officer works for a country's diplomatic service, representing their country's interests and engaging in international relations. For a Foreign Service Officer posted to an East African nation the ability to speak Swahili greatly improves their ability to work effectively. This course, focusing on greetings, introductions, and basic verb tenses, helps Foreign Service Officers build a foundation in spoken Swahili. It also provides familiarity with basic communication skills that aid in daily life and professional interactions. This course may be useful for anyone wishing to work in the foreign service.
Linguist
A linguist studies language, its structure, and its evolution, often specializing in specific languages or language families. This introductory Swahili course provides a foundation in the language's grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure. It will be valuable for linguists seeking to explore Swahili or as a point of comparison for study of other languages. The course allows for study of language in a practical context. This course may be useful for those studying linguistics.
Immigration Officer
An immigration officer processes and manages the entry of individuals into a country, which may include conducting interviews and verifying documents. This course may be useful for immigration officers that encounter Swahili speakers. The course will build skills in greetings, introductions, and simple communication. The course might be useful in building a foundation for an immigration officer that wants to better serve their population.
Anthropologist
An anthropologist studies human societies and cultures. This work often requires field research and interaction with local populations. For an anthropologist working in a Swahili speaking region, understanding the language is paramount. The course, which covers greetings, introductions, and basic verb tense, may allow the anthropologist to better understand the culture and to more effectively communicate with the local population. This course might prove useful to any aspiring anthropologist.
Market Research Analyst
A market research analyst studies consumer behavior and market trends, assisting companies in making informed decisions. This might include analysis of language and cultural tendencies. For market research analysts examining consumer behavior in East Africa, a basic understanding of Swahili is useful. While this course focuses on the basics of spoken Swahili, such as greetings, introductions and basic tenses, it might prove useful in building an understanding of the culture which could inform market research and analysis. This course may be useful for those working in market research.

Featured in The Course Notes

This course is mentioned in our blog, The Course Notes. Read one article that features Introduction to Spoken Swahili:

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introduction to Spoken Swahili.
Provides a comprehensive overview of Swahili grammar, including verb conjugations, sentence structure, and common grammatical patterns. It useful reference tool for understanding the grammatical concepts covered in the course. The workbook component offers practical exercises to reinforce your understanding and improve your ability to construct sentences in Swahili. This book is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.
Offers a structured approach to learning Swahili, covering grammar, vocabulary, and cultural insights. It valuable resource for expanding your knowledge beyond the course materials. The book includes dialogues and exercises to help you practice your language skills. This book is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference.

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