Undergraduate Course: Introduction to Swahili Language and Cultures (LLLO08003)
Course Outline
| School | Centre for Open Learning |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | Introduction to Swahili Language and Cultures offers a unique opportunity to learn one of the most widely spoken languages of Africa as used in its various regions traditionally and today, and to develop an understanding of the regional cultures.
You will develop simple strategies to learn Swahili and gain confidence in holding basic everyday conversations with an understanding and appreciation of some of the everyday cultural norms associated with the language. |
| Course description |
Introduction to Swahili Language and Cultures is suitable for students with no previous knowledge of the language.
Upon completion of the course, and if you have fully engaged with all the learning activities, you will achieve the equivalent of A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) (https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/table-1-cefr-3.3-common-reference-levels-global-scale) and will have developed your confidence in holding a basic everyday conversation.
You will develop these basic linguistic skills through a variety of listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities. The course focuses on language that is required for communicating in real everyday situations, such as introducing oneself and others and talking about the daily routine. As an integral part of the course, you will explore and critically reflect on the various cultures and socio-linguistic aspects of the language.
The course will include autonomous learning activities, which enable you to practice and consolidate your skills. You will also reflect on your learning strategies.
As you progress through the course, you will learn more about the cultures associated with the language in the context of how to:
Give personal information
Talk about daily routine
Express likes and dislikes
Ask for and give directions
Describe your home, your town
Ask for goods and services
(The content list is indicative.)
You will explore the use of the language in a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
You will experience the target language in a productive way, carefully designed to grow familiarity and confidence.
We follow an action-oriented communicative approach. The lessons include whole-class activities and pair or small-group work, role-play, responding to short texts, listening to dialogues, and watching video clips. Grammar is introduced in context to discover the core theories of Swahili linguistics. Pronunciation is practiced regularly. You will develop strategies and skills for language learning reflecting on what works best for you.
Learning is assessed formally throughout the course with the teacher providing regular feedback to help you progress and plan your learning.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2025/26, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 20 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 44,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
152 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Coursework 100%:
Class test 1 (listening, reading, writing) (35%) [LOs 1, 3, 4]
Oral dialogue (15%) [LOs 1, 2, 4]
Class test 2 (listening, reading, writing) (35%) [LOs 1, 3, 4]
Oral presentation (15%) [LOs 1, 2, 4] |
| Feedback |
You will develop your listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through a variety of activities and tasks in class and in autonomous learning activities, and will receive regular formative feedback on your progress.
You will receive feedback on your productive and receptive skills before being assessed on similar skills again. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding of simple spoken and written texts
- Produce simple spoken texts and interact in basic everyday conversations
- Produce simple written texts
- Demonstrate knowledge of basic aspects of Swahili linguistics and cultures
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Reading List
| Ruman Swahili Picture Dictionary: Kamusi Ya Kiswahili Yanye Picha. ISBN: 9781734925197 |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
There is an explicit focus on the University's Graduate Attributes throughout the Introduction to Swahili Language and Cultures course, encouraging the development of autonomy, criticality and reflexivity:
Enquiry and lifelong learning
Aspiration and personal development
Outlook and engagement
Research and enquiry
Personal and intellectual autonomy
Personal effectiveness
Communication |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Ms Seline Okeno
Tel:
Email: s.okeno@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr James Cooper
Tel: (0131 6)50 4400
Email: jcooper6@ed.ac.uk |
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