beginner classes | intermediate classes | pamphlet | location | registration | instructor | links
Traveling to Kenya? Or maybe you just came back from Africa? There are many reasons why you may want to learn Swahili, and if you live in Vancouver, you can learn Swahili right here with us.
CNIS holds Swahili classes for beginner and intermediate students in our Kitsilano office. We offer spring and fall sessions. We can also offer private lessons for groups of minimum of 8 people. Each course runs for a duration of 7 weeks.
Learn Swahili for only $80! ($60 for CNIS members)
Beginner Classes
The Swahili beginner class gives the introduction to the Swahili language. This class gives the clear basic conversations. At the end of seven modules, students should be able to join the intermediate level.
Beginner classes are held on Wednesdays from 6:30PM – 8:00PM, for seven weeks.
Upcoming Beginner Sessions:
2012 Spring session April 11 – May 24
- Instructor: Ruth Situma
Intermediate Classes
The intermediate course offers a review of the beginner course to orient the students to be able to transition to a higher level. Following review, topics covered include the basic noun classes, personal and possessive pronouns, additional vocabulary, verbs in the present, past, past participle and future tenses, verb negations and writing simple sentences. Conversational Swahili is also practiced.
Intermediate classes are held on Tuesdays from 6:30PM – 8:00PM, for seven weeks.
Upcoming Intermediate Sessions:
2012 Spring session April 10 – May 23
- Instructor: Jackie Ochieng
Information Pamphlet
Download Spring 2012 Pamphlet (PDF)
Class Registration
Classes are kept small to provide adequate instructional support. Register now to secure your spot!!
Download Registration Form (PDF)
For registration details, please contact karethe@cnis.ca or phone: (604) 739-4708
Course Instructor
Beginner Classes: Mellab N. Situma
Mellab N. Situma is a Registered Nurse both in Kenya and Canada. She has worked in Kenya in the Health care sector as public health educator on preventative health services. A bulk of her work has been in communities which are culturally and ethnically diverse, and Swahili as Kenya’s national language has been the point of convergence and practical tool of communicating.
She has an advanced diploma in nursing with a focus on education and administration. For the past 5 years she has been tutoring Kiswahili to international volunteers visiting Kenya on a one –on- one basis and with small groups in Nairobi. Her Knowledge and practical experience will add to the diversity and practicality of the sessions.
Beginner Classes: Ruth Situma Ruth is a current MA candidate in Political Science and International Development at the University of Guelph. Her current research focuses on regional organizations and democracy promotion in Africa. She has lived in Canada for a number of years an had been tutoring Swahili since 2007. She is a language enthusiast, speaking 5 diverse languages including Swahili and Italian. Her experiences both in learning and teaching new languages will make the beginners class enjoyable, practical and easy to learn.
Intermediate classes: Jackie Ochieng
Jackie has a Master of Sociology degree from the University of British Columbia. Having moved from Kenya 5 years ago, she enjoys the privilege of sharing her cultural understanding of Kenya through her Swahili lessons. She is passionate about empowering people and uses Swahili lessons to empower her class attendants to understand, for understanding breeds knowledge, knowledge is power. She works at S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Experience for hire program where she facilitates re-entry into the labour market of the mature population (45-65), in this era where 60 is today’s 40, the bronze, silver and gold years.
Enrol in the Swahili classes and experience energy, enthusiasm and passion brought to you from our Swahili-speaking trainers who will teach the language and share life stories that will keep you wanting to learn more.
