Intensive Swahili

Kiswahili na Utamaduni (KIU) Ltd

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Course description

The Swahili Intensive course is for students who want to maximize their language learning practice during their stay in East Africa. The courses is 6 weeks focus on speaking and communication skills, it consists of 4 lessons in communication skills and learn the local culture and customs.
The classes focus the use of language in everyday situations. Students will work on grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, reading, writing, speaking and listening. Textbooks and a variety of other materials are used in instruction, including role-playing, newspapers, magazines and other materials. Intermediate and advanced students have the option of studying in the test-preparation.

Course topics

Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar and Activities

Class schedule

Course duration
1-32 weeks
Start dates
Every first Monday of the month
Classes per week
20 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 60 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday
School holidays
01 Jan 2025

Class times

You can choose from the following class times:

Morning session
08:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Afternoon session
12:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Evening session
04:30 PM - 08:30 PM

Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.

Class level

All levels, beginner to advanced
You will take a placement test on your first day to determine your class level. You may also take this test before your arrival in Dar es Salaam.

Class size

Average 4 students
Maximum 8 students

Student age

Age range 12 years old and older
Average 24 years old

Certificate

A certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the course.
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Photos

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  • Maasai popular tribe in Tanzania entataining trainees 8/35
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  • Apartments offered by Kiswahili na Utamaduni (KIU) Ltd 10/35
  • City of Dar es Salaam 11/35
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  • Common room at Kiswahili na Utamaduni (KIU) Ltd 14/35
  • Apartments offered by Kiswahili na Utamaduni (KIU) Ltd 15/35
  • Hotels offered by Kiswahili na Utamaduni (KIU) Ltd 16/35
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  • Student residence offered by Kiswahili na Utamaduni (KIU) Ltd 19/35
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  • Student residence offered by Kiswahili na Utamaduni (KIU) Ltd 21/35
  • Student residence offered by Kiswahili na Utamaduni (KIU) Ltd 22/35
  • Apartments offered by Kiswahili na Utamaduni (KIU) Ltd 23/35
  • Apartments offered by Kiswahili na Utamaduni (KIU) Ltd 24/35
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reviews

Reviews

100% recommend

based on 15 reviews
5 stars
13
4 stars
1
3 stars
1
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing

"A formidable center for Kiswahili"

Augustine Kposowa, student from USA

I was in good hands when it came to housing and host family. The housing was a 5-minute walk
from the center, and I was never hungry because my host parents made sure to cook plenty of
delicious foods. If there was anything that I needed then I could rely on them. They were so talented
in what they did, and I do miss them, and recommend them. They had access to major news channels,
political channels and sports channels- suitable to a person of international relations (myself), as well as
being an active part of my Swahili language journey.

My teacher had a curiosity for learning just like I do, so it created a potential for many, many conversations,
both in English and the target language of Swahili. He might introduce a new rule of grammar, a way of pronouncing
the words, a history behind the language construction. I consider Swahili to be quite easy to learn, and my teacher to
be really good. Since I know Arabic, Hindi and French languages it was easy to identify an entire range of loan words
from these languages. Since teacher worked in the Peace Corps and taught French he had another language to help
in his teaching and could make a cultural distinction- ultimately making lessons easier to learn. “Got it!”

All of the grammar that is needed is spread throughout the blue beginners book, so for next time…
I didn’t feel it was necessary to do every single example in that blue book
as that took significant amounts time away from finishing the book in one
month. I had to grind many extra hours at home to move far ahead in one month
in order to finish the blue book in my last week there.
It would be MUCH better to do half of all the examples, finish the blue book earlier,
and have the remaining last week practicing the grammar in an overall review as well as
how to speak using these. It would’ve helped my exam scores in the end, plus would’ve give me
1 or 2 days to review and learn from them.

In the end I feel like this was by far an excellent investment in my language future. Not many individuals seem to know about
Africa and its most important languages in general. One will have to await for the “Rise” which is the return of Africa into the world stage, as it was in ancient times, and has an ever increasing potential: certain countries like Nigeria, Egypt, Ethiopia,
Tanzania, South Africa, DRC; a generation of youth to serve as a workforce; enormous population growth; vast amounts of resources to use; some of the fastest growing economies in the world; budding industries or businesses; a few major languages
to serve as communication and unification across the continent (currently English, French, Arabic, Swahili); increasing status in the medias of the world such as from Afrobeat music, Swahili language, Olympic performances, food and tourism.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
3 weeks
Date of study
5 Aug 2024 - 30 Aug 2024
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Thrilling experience"

Nicolas BOBILLOT, student from France

I had a great experience at KIU. I was really lucky to get courses tailored to my level, with an excellent teacher who, beyond the classes themselves, was really helpful in terms of tips and support if I needed anything. It is a small school but there is a very nice atmosphere between the staff, teachers and students which made my stay there super good.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
2 weeks
Date of study
1 Jul 2024 - 19 Jul 2024
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Wonderful experience"

Silvia Therese Hanrath, student from Germany

I had a good time in Dar es Salaam, because the teacher of KIU were smart, very friendly and humorous. It’s obviously, that they had a lot of experience in teaching Kiswahili. Even the material was very well done and helpful. The family, where I lived, was also friendly, warmhearted and they took care of me.

So I got a very intensive introduction from both sides into the culture of Tansania. I would like to recommend the combination of staying with a guest family and doing a language course like this.
Because there were no other students on my level (beginner) I had individual lessons with a wonderful teacher named Nancy. The absence of other students was a bit of a shame at first, but everyone was so keen to make me feel like I belonged that it didn't matter.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
2 weeks
Date of study
18 Jun 2024 - 5 Jul 2024
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"A wonderful school with dedicated teachers and supportive staff who ensured my success despite health challenges"

Lisa Verhoosele, student from Belgium

KIU was a very good school in general. Even though my teacher Jonathan used traditional teaching methods, I learned so much from him. His patience and encouragement were remarkable, especially when I was tired or sick. Benjamin and Martin were also great, always willing to talk and help during breaks. Amani and Hadija were incredible as well, especially Hadija helping me with my schedule and lending me Swahili books. Faraji, the school director, was kind and accommodating, especially during my illness. I appreciated how the school paused my courses until I recovered, showing great flexibility. The provided coffee and tea were nice, but having milk (or milk powder) and a small snack would have been even better. The classrooms could get noisy due to the partial walls, which was a bit distracting. Overall, I had a great experience and learned a lot.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
7 weeks
Date of study
19 Feb 2024 - 12 Apr 2024
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"A very good school, friendly teachers, good concept"

Pavlina Gebauer, student from Germany

I liked it all. Being in a third world country you can´t expect conditions like you are used to in the westen countries.
Therefore I appreciated the effort from the school stuff and the housing family. They did their best.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
School location
Housing
Date of study
5 Feb 2024 - 9 Feb 2024
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"It was very very good i learned a lot"

venesia kitwara, student from Tanzania

The classes and teachers were very nice they are the best.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
16 weeks
Date of study
3 Apr 2023 - 28 Jul 2023
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Excellent school and overall experience"

Voicu, student from USA

I really enjoyed my experience with KIU. Everyone was friendly, accommodating, and professional. Even being far from home, it made a huge difference to feel so welcomed.

I got to practice a lot of listening and speaking, which I was missing while studying online prior to the class. They provided me with all the materials necessary, including a book that I continue to study from to this day. Every Friday we did cultural trips to various markets and museums within the city where I got to interact with the locals and experience the public transportation system in Dar.

They also seem to have the flexibility of enabling you to do part of the class at a different KIU training center (Dar, Arusha, Iringa, Zanzibar) if you wish to study in more than one place.

Bahati njema!

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
3 weeks
Date of study
1 Aug 2022 - 26 Aug 2022
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Good"

Marie , student from Denmark

I only studied for two weeks at KIU in Dar Es Salaam, but learned more than i had expected.
My teacher was good. He followed the text book very closely, which was fine since i only studied for two weeks, but for a longer course it would have been nice with more variety, for instance including listening exercises. I didn't get a pre-course level-test.

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My ratings for this school

Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
2 May 2022 - 13 May 2022
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"It was a very positive experience which I would definitely do again."

Cynthia Letsch, student from Afghanistan

I very much liked the teachers, they are open, welcoming and friendly. They really support you in speaking Swahili as much as possible in daily conversations. The location is fine as well, the facilities are enough for a few students per room downstairs. As far as I know they have more rooms upstairs if more students attend the classes. In general I very much enjoyed the Swahili Course since it will give you a good insight in the language itself, explanation of grammar, increasing your vocabulary, etc. If I had the time and the money I would extend the course to two or three months even in order to fully grasp the language and learn to speak more freely.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
3 weeks
Date of study
4 Oct 2021 - 29 Oct 2021
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Best"

Wolfgang Martin Mika, student from Germany

The whole course was great. Very pleasant employees at KIU. A great teacher with whom you can feel the years of experience and feel very comfortable. Everyone was very concerned about our well-being. We are happy to go there again.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
4 Nov 2019 - 15 Nov 2019
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Great learning experience"

Anna , student from Switzerland

I'm very happy with having chosen KIU. Everybody at KIU is very helpful, supportive and always makes you feel welcome and like your part of a big family. The teacher - and therefore the quality of the classes - was very good and I made a lot of progress during my time in Dar. The groups were all very small (beginners, intermediate, and advanced equally) and everybody could benefit a lot from them cause the teachers can really adapt the lessons to your language level and personal interests and needs. The school is located in a modern building in a nice area of Dar. Activities were also part of the curriculum and provided further insights into the Tanzanian culture.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
3 weeks
Date of study
1 Jul 2019 - 26 Jul 2019
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Amazing hospitality and marvelous experience!"

Dmitrii Polkovnikov, student from Russia

We liked everything in this school, starting from teachers who were very experienced in Swahili, finishing with apartments we were provided! Many thanks!

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
2 weeks
Date of study
1 Jul 2019 - 19 Jul 2019
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"A good refresher"

Julia Velonjara

I liked the class. The other student and I were at a very similar level which allowed for a smooth class. We reviewed many grammar things that I had forgotten. The one suggestion I have is to review quickly again the grammar from the previous day. For example, we would go over something like subjunctive, but then not come back to it really later in the week unless I managed to work it in to the other lessons.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
22 Jun 2015 - 3 Jul 2015
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Faraji Kitonge, Director at Kiswahili na Utamaduni (KIU) Ltd responded to this review.
24 August 2015

Thank you for being satisfied with our services.

"Fun, fast and intense language course with amazing teachers!"

Brittany Groot

The teaching was excellent. Lusungu was a stellar teacher - we learnt quickly, he adapted the course to the students and our needs.

The flexibility of the classes was a big bonus. On top of that, another big plus is that we were a small class so had a lot of flexibility for the sessions.

The facilities and location were great. The value/pricing was very fair.
I would highly recommend it for anyone looking for beginner or continuing classes to get around Tanzania :)

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
School location
Duration of study
16 weeks
Date of study
6 Apr 2015 - 27 Jul 2015
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Faraji, Derector at Kiswahili na Utamaduni (KIU) Ltd responded to this review.
21 July 2015

Habari Brittany
Asante sana dada for your feedback to our school and the teacher too.I am happy to hear that you enjoyed the course, thank you also for recommendation for those wishing to join the school.

Karibu tena Tanzania kujifunza Kiswahili

"Very friendly atmosphere, great learning environment, very considerate teacher"

Aylin Basaran

At first I was a bit confused about the email communication according to possible locations and course dates, but once I came to the office I found the whole crew as very friendly helpful and flexible. My Teacher (Marco) was very friendly and good in explaining, with a perfect mixture of humour and precise explanations. As I was the only pupil he also included a few sessions which were particularly useful for my individual needs in my work, which helped me a lot and I appreciated a lot. The time of the course was also flexible and uncomplicated, which I enjoyed. I appreciated that there were tea, coffee and water offered in the class room. The whole ambiance with all the crew of KIU was so kind and familiar that it was fun and became almost a social event to come to. Due to this I even found good friends among the other students. Thanks a lot for the great time and I’m looking forward to continue learning kiswahili pamoja na KIU.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
10 weeks
Date of study
6 Apr 2015 - 16 Jun 2015
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Faraji Kitonge, Derector at Kiswahili na Utamaduni (KIU) Ltd responded to this review.
21 July 2015

Habari Aylin
Pole for confusion during email communication. Walimu wa KIU walifurahi sana ulipojifunza Kiswahili.
 
Karibu tena KIU

housing

Housing

KIU offers the following housing types:
homestay

Homestay - Single-person room - Breakfast and dinner

£ 167
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Location: Outside the city center of Dar es Salaam
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Facilities: Kitchen, laundry, tV room, 24/7 supervision, and other
Distance to school: 20 - 45 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Saturday, anytime
Check-out: Sunday, anytime
£ 167
Homestays are carefully selected to help students to learn Tanzanian culture in a comfortable setting while studying Swahili. These homes are between 30-45 minutes away from the school by walk or public transport. Families offer Breakfast and Dinner. To help the family to stay with you, we need in advance information like age, sex, profession, dietary need, hobbies etc. for one day is USD $ 25. Students must be 16 years old and older
student-residence

Student residence (off-campus) - 2-person shared room - Breakfast

£ 117
weekly
Age range: 1 - 6 years old
Address: Mwai Kibaki(Old Bagamoyo Road), Dar es Salaam, Kinondoni 14112, Tanzania
Location: Outside the city center of Dar es Salaam
Housing type: Student residence (off-campus)
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: Breakfast (7 meals per week)
Facilities: Kitchen, wireless internet, tV room, air conditioning, and 24/7 supervision
Distance to school: 30 - 40 minutes by shuttle
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Saturday, anytime
Check-out: Sunday, before 11:00 AM
£ 117
Simple, clean, quiet rooms in a private guesthouse, with good meals available. It’s popular with volunteers students. It’s one block in from Mwai Kibaki(Old Bagamoyo) Rd
apartment

Private apartment - Single-person room - No meals

£ 467
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Address: Yatch club Road, Dar es Salaam, Msasani Peninsula. 14111, Tanzania
Location: Outside the city center of Dar es Salaam
Housing type: Private apartment
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Kitchen, laundry, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, air conditioning, 24/7 supervision, and garden
Distance to school: 10 - 15 minutes by shuttle
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Saturday, anytime
Check-out: Sunday, before 05:00 AM
£ 467
SLIPWAY APARTMENT It is a place that is close to everything you will need. It located at Msasani Peninsula off Chole Rd just opposite Slipway. It is a huge place and the rooms are arranged to relax your mind while you are in Dar es salaam learning Swahili. This is Single Apartment with Double Bed, single Toilet, Kitchen, Sitting Room and Balcony. 
Guests have access to Bank, Beach, Shopping Mall, Supermarket, meeting places and many other social activities.
You can access all types of transportation from our apartments i.e Private Hire, Taxi, Daladala/Matatu, Bajaj and Bodaboda/Motorcycle.

Apartment - 2-person shared room - Breakfast

£ 467
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Address: Guinue Road, Dar es Salaam, Oyster bay 14111, Tanzania
Location: Outside the city center of Dar es Salaam
Housing type: Apartment
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: Breakfast (7 meals per week)
Facilities: Private bathroom, kitchen, laundry, telephone, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, air conditioning, 24/7 supervision, garden, and sports facilities
Distance to school: 20 - 30 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Saturday, anytime
Check-out: Sunday, before 10:00 AM
£ 467
Situated in Oysterbay with serene surroundings, near International Organisations, Embassies and the Main Business Areas, these magnificent apartments which offer a friendly environment and comfort, are truly a perfect home away from home.
hotel

2-star hotel "Kayslodge " - Single-person room - Breakfast

£ 175
weekly
Age range: 12 years old and older
Address: School road, Off Kimweri Avenue - Located between Arizona Grill and Cape Town Fish Market, Dar es Salaam, Msasani Village 14111, Tanzania
Location: Outside the city center of Dar es Salaam
Housing type: 2-star hotel
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast (1 meal per week)
Facilities: Private bathroom, laundry, telephone, wireless internet, tV room, air conditioning, 24/7 supervision, and garden
Distance to school: 20 - 30 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Saturday, anytime
Check-out: Sunday, before 10:00 AM
£ 175
Ensuite rooms, set in private gated compound with large garden offering both comfort and privacy away from home.and Studio flats contact us today!

2-star hotel "Q-Bar" - Single-person room - Breakfast

£ 292
weekly
Age range: 19 years old and older
Address: Off Haile Selassie road, behind Shrijee's Supermarket. In Oysterbay., Dar es Salaam, Msasani Peninsula. 14111, Tanzania
Location: Outside the city center of Dar es Salaam
Housing type: 2-star hotel
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast (7 meals per week)
Facilities: Private bathroom, laundry, telephone, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, air conditioning, and 24/7 supervision
Distance to school: 10 - 15 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Saturday, anytime
Check-out: Sunday, before 10:00 AM
£ 292
Comfortable, relaxed and with a casual homeliness, Q-Bar is located on the Msasani Peninsula. The rooms all have air conditioning, mozzie nets, Digital Safe's and en-suite bathrooms. A couple of the rooms are seriously large whilst others are regular sized (large enough to swing a cat in).
Budget, Standard and Executive rooms have refrigerators and satellite tv. The 8 bed Backpacker room has none of the fancy extras but does have air conditioning, Mosquito nets and private lockers. Read on for pics and prices. By the way, all private rooms are inclusive of breakfast!!
visa

Visa support

We cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. However, the school can supply you with all the documentation you need to support your visa application.

Your letter of acceptance will be sent to your home address by regular mail at no charge to you. If you wish to receive your paperwork by express mail, you will be charged $90 when you register.

Flights and airport transfer

Please note that we do not book flights for our students. If you are researching airfare costs, we recommend using Kayak.com, a search engine that lets you compare flight options from your home country to Dar es Salaam based on your budget, schedule and preferences.

Travel insurance

Study abroad worry-free with Language International's health and personal effects insurance coverage. When you book a course with us, you can opt to purchase an international insurance plan that covers not only your health care cost but also loss of your personal belongings. You must book your insurance in advance when you register.

Learn more about our insurance plan »

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questions

Questions and answers

Have questions? Get answers from Kiswahili na Utamaduni (KIU) Ltd staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

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