University of Dar es Salaam (USES)

I came to Tanzania not having ever heard even a single word of Swahili in my life. Though there are similarities among the two, Swahili is quite different from English - right down to the sounds one makes in speaking the language, to the expressions one uses while speaking. Learning the language was a slow and frustrating process. However, with time, the vocabulary became more and more familiar. I would have to say that the most difficult aspect of the language, as with all languages, I suppose, was grammer. But even the grammer side of the language began to sink into memory with time. Time and patience was essential though. I felt that the greatest instructional tool for me was simply being immersed in the culture, and just hearing people speaking Swahili to me and around me. Practice in speaking was also very important. People are more than willing to help and correct you with your Swahili. - But you need to try to speak it in order to really understand it. I would not exactly call myself an expert in speaking and writing in Swahili, but I have had the fortune of spending a year in Tanzania, and I understand a lot more Swahili now compared to one year ago.

as i mentioned beforehand it was part of a 4 year course and would give us aside of the language and literature and linguistic courses also the practical experience of every day situations