• Tunajifunza Kiswahili

    Posted on March 30, 2011 by in By Abby

    As you all know, one of Andrew and I’s main priorities right now is learning Swahili.  I feel like we talk about it a lot, but no one back in America really knows how it is going……

    So this post is to update you on how we are progressing in our Swahili classes. 

    (My school books)

    P1070886When we first got here, I felt completely overwhelmed with my Swahili class (which makes sense when you are surrounded by a language you know nothing about).  But now, a quick 3 months later, I can understand and speak short sentences with people! It is an amazing feeling!

    Now, I am still a beginner.  Very much so.  But I am learning quicker than I thought I would, and I am loving it.  I have such a desire to be able to speak Swahili fluently, because it would make life so much easier—in the market, with the kids, basically everywhere!

                                                                                                                (Andrew’s school books)

    P1070889Andrew and I have joined the Swahili classes at Mt. Kenya Baptist (the primary school that we are living at).  I am in Standard 1 and he is in Standard 2.  We go to class with the kids every day, do homework, and even take tests!

    I have found that I can be a big distraction to the kids.  They have mostly gotten used to me being a part of their class, but they still love to turn around and check if I am following along, or if I know what the answers are (which I am getting much better at). 

    At the end of each month the students have exams for their classes.  Below is our first Swahili test from January.  I got a 75% on mine.  I was disappointed, but it is still passing!  Andrew got an 83%.  Here they are:

    P1070879  (My test)

    P1070883  (Andrew’s test)

    Not bad for our first tests…….right???

    Here are some examples of the work we do in class and on our own. The first ones are mine.

    P1070878    P1070875

    P1070872

    P1070877 

    Now, Andrew’s work……….

    P1070880

    P1070887

     P1070885

    So, being the end of the March, the kids have been prepping for their exams tomorrow and Friday.  We had a practice test today in my class.

    It was HARD! 

    As I was taking it, I felt very discouraged. When I handed it in to my teacher, she then informed me that it is way above the 1st grade level, and that I did much better than my classmates.  Ha!

    Why is a Standard 1 class taking it then!?  I guess that is why it is a practice test.  I don’t feel so discouraged anymore.   🙂

    Here are my results:

    P1070870

    See all the words written in red? That’s not a good thing.

    Lol, I’ll do better next time!

    Kwa Heri!

6 Responses so far.

  1. Dave and Merrilyn says:

    How exciting your lives are. Great progress you are making in Swaheli! We love to hear from you.

  2. Cammie HIcks says:

    Just wanted you to know I was thinking about you today! Sounds like the language is tough but you are getting it! So proud of the work you are doing!

    Love ya!

  3. Diane Culver says:

    Abby, we’re so proud of you and Andrew! You are really putting into practice what it means to “go and tell”. All of things you guys share are so interesting- we are enjoying keeping up with you through Facebook and your blog. We’ll be in Birmingham this weekend for Macey’s play, so I’ll give your big sis a hug for you. We are SO excited about the baby! Love and blessings, Diane

  4. jodi compton says:

    love reading about your experience. i’m sure you can’t believe how much more you know now than what you did back in december.

  5. Sue Bolton says:

    This is great! So glad you two are young and remember how to “crack” a book. Keep it up. I’m sure Jerry and Sherry have some tales to tell about how they learned Swahili – much different than the way you guys are learning, I’m sure. God is blessing – it is so evident!!!!