As an ongoing part of my learning, I have been using about four to six hours a week meeting with two different language helpers, one for my (always) continuing study of Swahili and one for my developing Sukuma.
My language helper for Swahili is a college student named Livingstone. When we meet together we often discuss vocabulary or cultural references from my newspaper reading or daily conversation. We have spent time more recently discussing Swahili idiom and proverbs. I have found this time with Livingstone to be very valuable in developing the breadth of my vocabulary and the artfulness of my expression, which is a lifelong task even in one’s mother tongue.
My language helper for Sukuma is Abeli, a Bible Institute graduate and worker at Tumaini Children’s Home. Right now, I am still developing a basic understanding of Sukuma. My vocabulary is still basic, my self-expression is very limited, and my understanding of the grammar is growing. However, the few times that I have met with Abeli have been very helpful in making progress. Abeli was my first Swahili language helper, so he is familiar with the exercises that we are doing. It is encouraging for me to think that the way that I am struggling with Sukuma is the way that I struggled with Swahili when we first started together.
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