How to Learn Kiswahili Online

Kiswahili, or Swahili, is one of the most widely spoken African languages. It is the common language of about 100 million people, mostly living in the East African nations of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and neighboring countries. The language is a member of the Bantu language family, but it is also heavily influenced by Arabic vocabulary. Kiswahili has been a written language for centuries and has a long tradition of poetry, religious writings and music. Although very different from English, Kiswahili is a straightforward language that you can learn online.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Speakers
• Kiswahili-English dictionary

Instructions

1. Find an online Kiswahili course. If you are not enrolled in a classroom Kiswahili course, an online course can provide the basic instruction and explanations you need. Companies such as Rosetta Stone and Transparent Language offer online Kiswahili courses.

2. Search for Kiswahili language resources. Many websites offer free language study materials on Kiswahili. These include vocabulary lists and grammatical explanations.

3. Focus on grammar. Kiswahili vocabulary is relatively simple, compared to a language like English, but the grammar is complicated. Look for sites that give clear explanations for Kiswahili noun classes, verb conjugation and adjective order, as these can be the hardest grammatical points for learners.

4. Play Kiswahili games. There are many language learning games available online for Kiswahili learners.

5. Listen to Kiswahili. Sites such as YouTube have videos uploaded in the Kiswahili language. Search for "Kiswahili," "Swahili" or a country name such as Tanzania or Kenya.

6. Read and listen to Kiswahili-language news sites. Organizations such as the BBC offer world news in Kiswahili. You can read articles, listen to audio and watch videos in the language.

Tips & Warnings

• When searching for Kiswahili language tools, be sure to also search for the term "Swahili." Many products and websites use this variation of the name. If you find it difficult to understand the Kiswahili on a news site, look for the same story in English as well. Many sites have the same or similar articles and videos in both languages.

• Be careful of the noun classes. This grammatical structure is essential for Kiswahili and has no correlation in English. Watch out for unusual Kiswahili sounds such as "ng" or "mw." Try to listen to native speakers online to get the sounds right.

References

• Overview of Kiswahili
• Kiswahili speaker information

Resources

• Kiswahili games
• Kiswahili vocabulary lists
• Online Kiswahili course