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SWHL UN1101

Elementary Swahili I · Middle Eastern, South Asian, And African Studies

Essentials of grammar, basic vocabulary, practice in speaking and reading Swahili the most widely used indigenous language of East Africa. No P/D/F or R credit is allowed for this class.

Who teaches SWHL UN1101

What students said

Abdul Nanji · 2026 · 2026

I learned a new language that isn't similar to english

Jane Clayton · 2010 · 2010

Like I said, cake. Wordchamp online vocab exercises once or twice per week, a short grammar assignment for each lesson, one group project, midterm, final take home test and oral exam.

Abdul Nanji · 2026 · 2026

Elementary swahili. Grammar, vocab, a bit of East African culture.

Jane Clayton · 2010 · 2010

Bibi Clayton is probably one of the cutest people I've ever met. She's incredibly sweet, understanding, and has the greatest tinkly laugh I ever did hear. After a semester of Beginner Swahili I, I can already carry on a decent conversation and write lengthy stories (much more than I could after three years of high school Spanish). As another review said, there was never a class without laughter, and I know a majority of the class is going to continue taking the language through the Advanced level because it's so fun. If you have absolutely any desire to study a cool language spoken in awesome countries, TAKE THIS CLASS. The workload is cake and you'll have a blast. Plus, her PowerPoint typos are the greatest.

Abdul Nanji · 2026 · 2026

The basic language structure of Swahili and the important components within the language.

Jane Clayton · 2010 · 2010

If you so much as bitch about the homework for this class, you need to go home. Daily homework assignments that will somehow make you laugh (20 minutes a piece). Awfully written midterm that's awfully easy. Oral project, free topic, no sweat. Final: long, mild, easily graded.

Abdul Nanji · 2026 · 2026

I learned a lot about kiswahili grammar, culture and conversation skills.

Jane Clayton · 2010 · 2010

First off, Swahili is the bomb. Seriously, it is the bomb. If you want to be in the most close-knit class on campus, you have to take Elem Swahili with Bi Njeri. And if you want to meet the most fascinating woman on this planet, take Elem Swahili with Bi Njeri. This woman is a Kenyan enigma; her degree is unknown, her past is a mystery, and her accent is just precious. If you ever wanted to know what your name sounds like butchered by a middle-aged African emigre, well, you'll just have to wait and see. And hands down, best weave on campus. As for the material itself, the learning is painless and the grading is painfully lenient. We have never had a class end without laughter, and we have never pondered over a teacher's personal life as much as Mama Clayton's. If you're looking for that secret gem of a class on Columbia's campus, look no further than the International Affairs building. We all agree that, as first-years, this class MADE our semester, and we will never look back with regrets. For God's sake, TAKE THIS CLASS!

Abdul Nanji · 2026 · 2026

Greetings, numbers, verbs, and noun classes.

Abdul Nanji · Fall 2021 · 2026

If you want to challenge yourself as a SEAS student, go for it. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Fall 2021 Course: SWHLUN1101_001_2021_3-ELEMENTARYSWAHILII : SWHLUN1101_001_2021_3 - ELEMENTARY SWAHILI I Instructor: Abdul Nanji

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