The Flagship
Language-In-Context Initiative
Overview
The Project
Roundtables
Swahili
Swahili Scenarios
The African Flagship Language Initiative for Swahili uses a culture-centered approach to language learning through highly contextualized real-world scenarios.
While developing their proficiency in the Swahili language as spoken in Tanzania and Kenya, students also learn about differences in cultural norms and perceptions of appropriate behavior between their own culture and East African culture.
Each scenario includes a judgment task at the end to allow students to share their opinions and make decisions about a given situation. After that, students receive expert feedback to help them assess the cultural appropriateness of their decisions in the context of the scenario. Additionally, each scenario asks students to complete a role-playing activity that encourages them to have productive discussions with their cohort about the cultural norms presented in each scenario.
Scenario Topics
Scenarios are grouped into topics, which include different themes like greetings, family, political space, religious holidays, etc. A comprehensive list of topics is featured below.
Instructional Settings
InContext is designed to be delivered as a supplement to intensive language study. But it can be used as a standalone tool as well. The material in the InContext is best delivered to cohorts of students that will be either studying the same language or living at the same site abroad.
InContext materials are best supported by roundtable discussions that are moderated by program staff familiar with the host culture and the academic program that students are on. These roundtable discussions help guide the students through the reflection tasks that are included at the end of each scenario to better understand why scenarios unfolded the way they did and to explore the expert feedback and culture notes that were provided at the completion of the judgment task.
If used in a classroom setting, scenarios or judgment tasks can be assigned as homework. Materials can also be adapted for use in classroom activities based on student level. For example, students at the elementary level can perform the scenario in class in a role-play activity whereas intermediate and advanced level students can write a summary of the assigned scenario and their agreement or disagreement with the experts’ feedback in the target language. Students can discuss the Reflection tasks and Extension tasks in class as well.
Scenario Length and Language
Scenarios are designed to be concise so that students can read a scenario, complete the reflection task, complete the judgment task and prepare notes for a roundtable discussion in one sitting. The scenarios are also developed to be easily accessed by mobile devices for students that prefer that platform.
Extension and Reflection Tasks
Scenarios are followed by reflection and extension tasks.
The reflection tasks are questions for the students to ponder and prepare responses to share during the roundtable discussion. The reflection task questions are the starting point for a roundtable moderator to walk students through conversations that explore student impressions from the expert feedback and the judgment task.
Conversations in the roundtable help students talk through their preconceptions of the host culture and further explore how their own perceptions, their beliefs will affect their stay abroad.
Project Leads
Tunde Akinyemi, University of Florida
James Essegbey, University of Florida
Charles Bwenge, University of Florida
Academic Oversight
Tunde Akinyemi, University of Florida
Instructional Design Specialists
Suzanne Freynik, The Language Flagship Technology Innovation Center
Richard Medina, The Language Flagship Technology Innovation Center
Editor
Charles Bwenge, University of Florida
Content Authors
Said Omar Said, MS Training Centre for Development Cooperation, Usa River, Arusha, Tanzania
Mahiri Mwita, Princeton University
Carley Kwiatkowski, Independent Researcher/Scholar, Tanzania
Catherine Mossi, MS Training Center for Development Cooperation, Usa River, Arusha, Tanzania
Beatrice Marandu, MS Training Center for Development Cooperation, Usa River, Arusha, Tanzania
Content Reviewers
Rose Lugano, University of Florida
Mahiri Mwita, Princeton University
Sarah Dale, MS Training Center for Development of Cooperation, Usa River, Arusha, Tanzania
Data and Content Entry
Khumo N. Senuku, University of Florida
Pierre William Blanc, University of Florida
Consultants
Valerie Anishchenkova, University of Maryland
Deanna T. Clement, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Ryan Doud, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Karen Evans-Romaine, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Laura J. Hammond, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Julio C. Rodriguez, The Language Flagship Technology Innovation Center
Images
Said Omar Said, MS Training Center for Development Cooperation
Erick Siwango, MS Training Center for Development Cooperation, Usa River, Arusha, Tanzania
Twaha Bitabwa, MS Training Center for Development Cooperation, Us River, Arusha, Tanzania
Edward Nnko, The National Kiswahili Council, Tanzania
Gervas Damas, Institute of Accountancy, Arusha, Tanzania
Daniel Samwel, Freelance Photographer, Tanzania
Modules
Tribes/”kabila”, THE RURAL/URBAN DIVIDE, AND GETTING AROUND
Kabila in Kenya and Tanzania
What tribe would you prefer to marry?
Mimi si Mchina!! (I’m not Chinese!)
But, what’s the problem with that?
Tanzanian/Kenyan Cities Versus Villages
Should I carry live chicken from rural relatives to my host family in the city?
It’s all about respect.
Is it the same country?
Getting Around in Tanzania and Kenya
Why should I greet people I don’t know?
What do you mean “matatu hapana jaa”? This ‘thing’ is full to the brim?
That’s not the price we agreed on!!
RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES IN EAST AFRICA
Christianity in Mainland Tanzania
Why do I need to pray for the food…
I’m not coming here again…
Islam in Zanzibar
One call can be enough for the whole city…
What’s the problem since I’m not fasting
Traditional Religion in Kenya/Tanzania
But they say they believe in God…
Then why traditional medicine?
Where Are the Atheists?
But it’s not necessary to be in one of the two…
Do these people even exist here?
ECONOMIC SYSTEMS IN EAST AFRICA
The Rural-urban Divide
Do all those people own that farm?
They told me Swahili is their national language
The Informal Economy
What are men doing then?
Why chase them for doing business?
Innovations in Kenya and Tanzania
How do I get a chance to see what they are doing?
Are these made in Tanzania?
M-PESA
Will she receive the money?
I did not participate in anything, how did I win this money?
WORKPLACE CULTURE IN EAST AFRICA
Formalities
What’s the problem, it’s her name!
Wow, they could have just invited him to talk!
Social Life within the Office Environment
Why should I attend this?
Why should I contribute to the wedding in the office?
Professional Personal Relationships
We could use all this time to work!
Why can’t they say they’re dating?
Expected Dressing Code in Kenya/Tanzania
You can not dress like that at the office…!
It’s none of their business!
NAVIGATING SHIFTING NORMS IN EAST AFRICAN SOCIETY
Social Media
“This is a project platform, not an advertising channel..”
Nightlife
In a city nightclub, you cannot trust anyone, especially strangers.
So, you are not a “real” Maasai?
Societal Violence
This place is not safe!
Hide me, please!
ANIMALS IN EAST AFRICA
Domestic Pets
“Don’t you want to have human children? An animal is not a child”
You cannot bring a chameleon as a pet in our homestay!
Farm Animals
My Boyfriend killed my baby chicken Doris for dinner!!
That’s my favorite cow and her baby!
Working Animals
“Mbwa Kali” means dogs are for security, not pets!
Did you have to hit it?
Wild Animals
What is wrong with taking a selfie with a giraffe in the park?
“I have come to Africa to save the lions!”
TABOOS – EAST AFRICA
Interacting with Elders
He’s wrong, I have to correct him!
I’m done eating, why can’t I leave the table?
Ceremonial Conduct
I think something is not ok!
Oh No! Enjoying an aroma is taboo?
Female Reproductive Health
But why should I hide my periods…?
I thought I was recognizing her pregnancy…
Community Context – Public Display of Affection
I know it’s his wife but he can’t do that in public!
Don’t do that, it brings a bad omen!
LANGUAGE AND associations IN EAST AFRICA
Standard Swahili Language
Have you studied Kistandadi (Standard Swahili)?
Why Does Zanzibar have its own dictionary, yet standard Swahili is based on kiunguja?
Kabila-based Accents of Swahili
“Mimi Hajasemesha wewe Kimaasai” (I haven’t spoken to you in Maasai language)
“Swahili si mdomo changu” (Swahili is not my mother tongue) – Dholuo-based code-mixing in Kenya
Sheng: A Kenyan Linguistic Phenomenon
Why spend weeks teaching ‘shikamoo” when nobody says “Shikamoo” in Kenya?
Siwezi kukatia kwa Kisanifu, Sheng ni sexier… ( I can’t use standard Kiswahili, Sheng is more interesting.
Mixed Swahili-English (Kiswanglish) – a Post-Ujamaa Tanzanian Phenomenon
How does “kwema” qualify you to be Tanzanian and “habari gani” doesn’t?
In Tanzania we don’t speak that technical Swahili, we speak Kiinglish
CUSTOMER SERVICE CULTURE IN EAST AFRICA
The Application Process for Official Documents Introduction
Why do I need to submit paper copies of documents that I have uploaded online?
You said it would only take one week!
Police Services
You said I would get my stolen phone back…
I didn’t violate any rules, why have I been stopped?
Health Services
Why am I sharing my hospital room with so many people?
Why are they not attending to me?
Housing & Shopping
You’re being unfair…
Wait, so there’s no warranty?
Social classes – EAST AFRICA
Dominating East African Businessmen/Industry
How is it possible that he owns everthing?
I am not used to this brand
Middle Income Class
I thought he was employed; it should be his right!
But he has a job!
Small Scale Farmers
But I thought agriculture is the leading industry!
But I was just trying to help
Dada wa kazi/kaka wa kazi (House-workers/Laborers)
What do you mean she doesn’t get paid for overtime?
But he’s my friend!
Conflict resolution – EAST AFRICA
Family Level
But that decision is so biased…
His son gets everything, what about others?
Resolving Problems in Tribal Groups
That is unfair to the poor girl
Just by a chance after all the happened?
Land Conflicts
It’s their ancestral land, they can’t evict them!
That was her father’s land, he wanted her to inherit it!
Farmers vs. Pastoralists Conflicts
They should let people use the water freely!
Why do they need to protect farms?
Youth in east africa
Community Expectations of Youth
He should be able to enjoy his vacation the way he wants.
The family should understand and support him in his pursuit for a better life.
Challenges Facing East African Youth
That should not be your business!
You left your career to be a housewife?!
Youth and Leadership
But he has a vision, why are you dismissing him?
But he is more capable than all of the other candidates…
Youth and Tridations/Customs
Why should they have a say in what he wears?
Why should she attend this event?
technologies & media in east africa
Mobile Phone Evolution
Why is she insisting on escorting me to my destination? I have Google Maps!
Why are they using two mobile phones?
Renewable Energy
Another blackout?
Can I manage to live without electricity?
Local Film Industry
Why is the quality of the film still so poor?
This is not the Dar es Salaam, I know!
Mobile Phone Applciations for Specific Needs
How am I supposed to pay my bills with an App that’s not working?
But they promised delivery…!
participants’ reflections on fall overseas immersion program in arusha, tanzania
Classroom Experience
We already covered this in Gainesville!
Language Partner Experience
This is a lot of time!
Host Family Experience
I don’t need to be treated like a child.
Navigating Arusha
I managed to make it to town by a dala dala, now how do I get to my destination?
The Flagship Language-In-Context Initiative was supported by a 3-year grant (2017-2020) to the University of Maryland from the Institute of International Education (IIE), acting as the administrative agent of the National Security Education Program (NSEP), Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO) for The Language Flagship.
The Language Flagship is a national initiative to change the way Americans learn languages through a groundbreaking approach to language education through a network of programs at institutions of higher education across the United States. The Language Flagship graduates students who will take their place among the next generation of global professionals, commanding a superior level of proficiency in one of ten languages critical to U.S. national security and economic competitiveness.
This website has been developed and is maintained by The Language Flagship Technology Innovation Center. The content of this website and of the InContext App do not necessarily reflect the position of policy of the U.S. government. No official government endorsement should be inferred.
