Swahili with Tina

I became a Swahili Speaker through complete immersion after living in Tanzania for many years. I'm an anthropologist with a love for language and culture. I became completely fluent in Swahili within 1 year, which allowed me to conduct my qualitative research in Swahili, craft my Master's thesis, and finish my postgraduate studies at the University of Dar es Salaam. I used a self-taught approach to Swahili, using the most recommended resources. But what truly gave me my Swahili is the lasting friendships I've cultivated and the daily conversations I share with native speakers from Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Let's explore the connection between language and culture!

I bring the most unique perspective to Swahili instruction. Having navigated the process of becoming fluent in Swahili from the ground up, I understand the challenges and have discovered the most effective techniques and strategies. My Swahili methods work, and I've put them into practice teaching refugees, and children of Swahili speakers living abroad. In addition to teaching Swahili, I've worked as a private music teacher and served as a university Instructional Assistant. My teaching style is down-to-earth, direct, and to the point. I also value the importance of humor in the learning process! I'm motivated to ensure you are well-equipped to reach your Swahili language goals.

My teaching style is a unique blend of the best Swahili resources I've collected and my real-life immersion-learning experience. Lessons will be Conversation-Based, as much as possible. Beginners will start with the Swahili Greetings– an important cultural custom. Then we'll dive right into the most Practical Phrases– focusing on listening, speaking, reading, and writing while naturally integrating grammar, verb tenses, and intonation. With my approach, you will learn "daily life" Swahili (even slang and "street" Swahili)– NOT recite outdated "textbook" tourist Swahili. I'm here to prove that authentic modern Swahili is fun, and it isn't difficult to sound like a local Swahili speaker.

Relevant Experience:

Volunteer Swahili Linguist Translators Without Borders (2022–present)

Volunteer English-Swahili Translator at Nyamboyo Technical School – Kisumu, Kenya (2022–present)

Student Researcher & Music Teacher FULBRIGHT Student Program – Kigoma, Tanzania (2019 - 2020)
Conducted research and interviews (in Kiswahili language) about music; Facilitated Community Music & Debate Classes (in Kiswahili language) without the use of English, interpreters, or translators.

Education:

Master's - Anthropology & Swahili Language
University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (2020–2023)

Bachelor's - Anthropology & Linguistics
California State University, Chico (2014–2018)

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