Course Description
Students will be enrolled in an intensive eight-week course of their choosing in either elementary or intermediate Swahili language instruction. Students who successfully complete the program will receive credit for Elementary Swahili I (SWA 101T) and Elementary Swahili II (SWA 102T) OR Intermediate Swahili I (SWA 105T) and Intermediate Swahili II (SWA 107T). The two courses, at either the elementary or intermediate level, and the final course grades will appear on the Princeton University transcript.
In addition to in-class language instruction in Kiswahili, students will have the opportunity to utilize their free time to volunteer in the local community through activities such as teaching English in local schools, volunteering in youth programs, and contributing to non-governmental community services.
In the past, Princeton students have taught English and other subjects at Burney's Academy at Mbezi, taught English and Chinese at the Mwenge Woodcarvers youth group, cared for children at CHAKUWAMA orphanage and at SOS Children's Village at Dar es Salaam, and tutored entrepreneurs in business skills at the University of Dar es Salaam's local chapter of the International Association of Students in Economics and Business Management (AIESEC).
Course Schedule: Monday–Friday
9:00–10:30 a.m.: In-class Swahili grammar lessons
10:45 am–12:15 p.m.: Small group tutorials and immersion sessions with teaching assistants and UDSM-based native speakers
12:30–1:30 p.m.: Lunch break
2:00–5:00 p.m.: Volunteer sessions/assigned community-based activities
Due every Friday:
- Weekly tests and end-term exam on each fourth Friday
- Essay and oral presentation on the week’s experience in volunteer/community service
Total class hours: 60 (15 hrs. per week + 60 hours of independent/volunteer work)
Evaluation rubric per course unit:
- Weekly in-class grammar tests every Friday - 30%
- Three weekly essays (15%) and oral presentations (15%) on culture, due every Friday - 30%
- Final exam - on Friday of each fourth week - 40%
