The Crash Course Approach
We teach you how to learn Swahili
LEARN HOW TO LEARN: We do not teach you how to speak Swahili, only how to learn it efficiently. You have to learn on your own. But we give you the tools to understand it's structure.
Swahili Grammar Crash course
The building blocks of Swahili
Swahili is a modular language in which syllables are combined to form words, similar to Lego bricks. Thus, one word in Swahili often corresponds to four or five words in English.
Since only one syllable in this word carries the meaning of the root, it is essential if you want to learn Swahili to first understand and learn to use the individual building blocks.
We teach them at our Swahili Grammar Crash Course
Since only one syllable in this word carries the meaning of the root, it is essential if you want to learn Swahili to first understand and learn to use the individual building blocks.
We teach them at our Swahili Grammar Crash Course
Grammar Cubes
Swahili grammar explained in English with handouts and Grammar Cubes designed by Yanis
Vocabulary List
Topic-specific vocabulary lists with grammatical explanations
Flashcards App
Access to 1000+ vocabulary on the best flashcard app ever
Learning Hacks
Strategies for learning words on the road
Dictionaries
Tips on using dictionaries, offline and online
Resources
Book tips and other resources
Why Duolingo won't do it
(why focus on Grammar)
Swahili is a modular language in which syllables are combined to form words, similar to Lego bricks. Thus, one verb in Swahili often corresponds to four or five words in English.
Since only one syllable in this word carries the meaning of the root, it is essential if you want to learn Swahili to first understand and learn to use the individual building blocks which isn't taught in vocabulary-based approaches like Duolingo.
We teach you the Swahili building blocks at our Grammar Crash Courses.
Crash Courses (CC)
Crash course often means being overwhelmed with too much information at first. However, the focus is on structure of the language. Optimal for structured, independent learners
Everyday Examples (EE)
In the application lessons, you will be given formulas/templates for everyday situations, which we will practise with short role plays.
Crash Courses (CC) Modules 1 - 5
Attending CC 1 (first module) is a prerequisite to attend all other modules. The first module is held monthly.
CC 1
Introduction
- Introduction to Swahili
- all 8 Noun Classes overview
- Basic Verbal System
- Flashcards App
CC 2
Verbal System
- negation
- to be and to have
- locatives
CC 3
Adjusting to Nounclasses
- Genitive
- Adjectives & Numbers
- Pronouns
CC 4
Longer Verbs
- Objects
- Relative Sentences
- Conjunctive and Imperative
CC 5
Adjusting Verbs
Derived Verbs
Everyday Examples (EE) Modules 1 - 5
It is recommended to attend the respective CC module the week prior to better understand the EE module, though only CC1 is necessary.
EE 1
Greetings
- greetings
- order food
- using Flashcards App
EE 2
Dialogues
- repeat a dialogue (indirect speech)
- ask for a person
- describe the way
EE 3
Family
- explain family
- describe things
- introduce relatives
EE 4
Narrate
- narrate an event
- give instructions
- ask for something
EE 5
Q & A
- individual topics upon request
Testimonials
"Before I took the Swahili course with Yanis, I had been learning Swahili on my own for some time and couldn't understand many connections of the language. Thanks to the clearly structured lessons and the good teaching materials, I was able to form short sentences very quickly. That motivated me to keep going. Even today, I still explain the tenses using his “cubes method” when other Germans in my circle want help. Yanis introductory course helped me find my way into the language. Unfortunately, I now live on the mainland, so I can't take advantage of the courses he offers in Zanzibar, but I can wholeheartedly recommend them. Asante sana, Yanis." Translated from German
Anja R W
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