I. Introduction:
There is no doubt that the best and
rapid way of learning Kiswahili is to study at the Institute of Kiswahili and
Foreign Languages in Zanzibar.
The Institute is located in the
Zanzibar town, the place where its Kiswahili dialect was approved to form a base
of the standard Swahili used today.
Those who study Kiswahili at the
Institute acquire knowledge of the famous Swahili culture renowned for its
politeness and sympathetic behaviour.
Apart
from the fact that Zanzibar is a land of attractive carvings, spices and fruits,
it is also a land of friendliness. 'Hujambo' is the spontaneous way of greeting
any Zanzibari when you start a conversation. See how she/he responds with a
genuine warmth and is then willing to help.
Many students who take courses at the
Institute retain fond memories of Zanzibar when they go back home.
The
Institute was established in 1979. Ever since, it has taught Kiswahili to many
students from different part of the world. The institute is now known worldwide
for its rapid results.
II. Objectives:
Besides many general objectives the
Institute tries to meet, there are specific and central ones as follows:
To
promote and spread Kiswahili within and outside the country.
To
teach Kiswahili within and outside the country.
To teach Kiswahili to
foreigners destined to work in Tanzania and other countries where Kiswahili
is used.
To cooperate with other
Institutes sharing similar objectives and functions within and outside the
country.
III.
Admission Requirements:
The Institute has not laid down
strict admission requirements for the courses in the department of Kiswahili for
foreigners.
If you are interested in
learning Kiswahili please make an enquiry to the following address:
IV.
Courses Available:
The Institute conducts the
following courses for foreigners:
The Beginners course
The Intermediate course
The Advanced course
Kiswahili Literature course.
THE BEGINNERS COURSE:
The beginners course is intended for
those who do not have any knowledge of Kiswahili or who have little knowledge of
speaking and understanding oral Kiswahili
The course begins with elementary
lessons such as greetings and self introduction and finishes up with lessons of
self expression in everyday life e.g. at grocery stores, at bank, at post
office, making telephone calls etc.
After
completing the course satisfactorily a student will have no problem in a day to
day simple conversation
A student is advised to devote a
period of at least one month for the course if a meaningful learning is to take
place. There is a course book for the course titled 'ZUNGUMZA KISWAHILI:
HATUA YA KWANZA'.
THE INTERMEDIATE COURSE:
The
Intermediate Course is taken by those students who have a fair previous
knowledge of Kiswahili. Such students may be those who have completed the
beginners course at the Institute or those who have learnt Kiswahili somewhere
else before coming to the Institute.
After
completing the course the students will be able to do among other things:
Write short notes -
personal and official.
Read Kiswahili
newspapers, stories, novels and understand Kiswahili radio and television
news with ease.
Prepare and write short
functional speeches.
This
course is recommended for foreigners who would like to work in any Kiswahili
speaking country. The time recommended for this course is at least two weeks.
This course also goes with a course book for the course titled 'ZUNGUMZA
KISWAHILI - HATUA YA PILI'.
THE ADVANCED COURSE:
The Advanced Course is intended
for advanced students. This level is suitable for researchers, trainers,
extension workers etc. Students who complete this stage will be able to speak
Kiswahili more fluently than before.
The
time proposed for this course is at least three weeks. The course goes with a
self-contained text book titled 'ZUNGUMZA KISWAHILI - HATUA YA TATU'.
KISWAHILI LITERATURE COURSE:
Kiswahili Literature is the
highest course offered to foreign students. Students with a sound knowledge of
Kiswahili can apply for this course.
Usually
the course is intended for students who may wish to carry out research or study
Kiswahili literature, traditions and culture of the Swahili people. It should
also help those who wish to undertake a comparative linguistic study and make
themselves familiar with Kiswahili authors and actors, past and present.
Students at this level study all forms of Kiswahili literature.
The course has its own syllabus designed by the Institute. However an
adhoc syllabus may be prepared when the need arises.
The
minimum time for this course is two weeks. Textbooks for the course are on sale
at the Institute's bookshop. The Institute also has a very good general library
and a special library for those who learn Kiswahili.
V. Fees:
The
only payment the Institute charges is the tuition fee which is the same for all
the courses. There is no registration fee. Students also need to buy the course
books. At present the fee is $4 per student per hour.
A
lesson takes 4 hours a day, Monday to Friday. The charges may run as follows:
4 US dollars x 4 hours x 5 days = 80 US dollars per week
1 text book = 4 US dollars.
The
fee may change subject to running expenses. Classes take up to six students and
a minimum of two learners.
VI. Accommodation:
Students may choose to stay with
families locally. The Institute has a good list of families who take in foreign
students as paying guests. A full board fee at present is $15 per day. A student
has his/her own room.
Those who
stay with families become `family members'. They are free to participate in the
family daily activities. A student has a good opportunity to speak Kiswahili
most of the time he/she is with the family.
Students
may also choose to look for accommodation by themselves.
VII. Visits to
Educational/Historical Sites:
Zanzibar has got no wild
animal parks and game reserves but it is rich with its non-crowded and clean
sandy beaches and a number of ancient historical sites.
Normally
there are visits to different places which are arranged by the Institute after a
request from students who pay for the trips. The expenses are reasonable.
Students are accompanied by their teachers in these visits. The visits are very
pleasant and provide lots of fun and they are also a good way of practising
Kiswahili.
VIII. Teaching Staff:
All our teachers are native Kiswahili
speakers who have got a long time experience. Most of them have taught Kiswahili
to foreigners for more than ten years. Our teachers are very dedicated and have
got a perfect knowledge of the language and culture. They are willing to share
their knowledge of Kiswahili and culture outside the classroom.
IX. Invitation:
Please join
others in coming to the Institute and take a course. Please send your colleagues
to the Institute and they will always have the memories of Zanzibar and the
Institute.