Program overview
Swahili is a lingua franca in East Africa, spoken by over 100 million people, mainly in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and other countries. This program lets you start from scratch to master the language while gaining deep insights into East African culture, history, and society. Core courses include Basic Swahili, Grammar, Speaking, Listening, Reading, Writing, Translation Theory and Practice, Selected Readings in African Literature, and East African Society and Culture. Chinese universities such as Beijing Foreign Studies University, Shanghai International Studies University, and Tianjin Foreign Studies University offer this program with rich teaching resources, and some schools provide exchange opportunities in Africa. This program is suitable for students who are curious about African culture, enjoy language learning, and are willing to step out of their comfort zone. If you are interested in international trade, international relations, or cross-cultural communication, Swahili will be a very practical tool.