Intensive Language Program
Cultural immersion through intensive language learning
This program is ideal for students, heritage seekers and groups that have an interest in African languages and want to learn in a native environment under a well structured program. Our learner-centered program offers online and in-person lessons which include formal classroom instruction, extracurricular activities and the opportunity to sharpen your language skills with native language speakers. Whether you are an expatriate living and working in East Africa or a volunteer planning to travel to East Africa, learning the local language will make you a better fit. Get started with "survival Kiswahili" and see how it goes!
Luganda and Kiswahili
Learn a new language with native teachers and speakers
Kiswahili
The Swahili language, also known as Kiswahili, is one of the most widely spoken African languages. Swahili is one of the working languages of the African Union and is officially recognized as a lingua franca of the East African Community. Kiswahili is also listed as a critical need language under the USA Department of State's Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) program. Kiswahili has also featured prominently in Hollywood most noticeable in The Lion King. Get started today on your Swahili journey!
Luganda
Luganda is widely spoken in central Uganda where it is the native language of the Baganda and also the lingua franca. The language is rich in culture and customs and is the perfect gateway to intercultural communication. This course is designed for individuals who want to hone their Luganda skills or foreign language credentials. Ugandans in the diaspora will benefit from this course which is offered both online and in-person.
Contact our Language Team
Discuss Options
Submit a Formal Application
Confirm Interest
Pay the Program Fee
Itinerary Confirmation
Orientation and Commencement
Travel if Necessary
Learning Options
Our intensive language program can be coupled with a study abroad program or as a stand alone program for those interested in language learning only or online learners that only need foreign language skills. The longer you stick around, the better you'll become in speaking fluent Luganda or Kiswahili! We strongly encourage all our language students to continue language training upon their return in order to maximize learning gains. We provide the perfect avenue to learning critical and widely spoken languages in East Africa.
Course Duration
Our intensive language program includes 60 hours of classroom teaching spread out over 4 weeks. Alternatively, students can join our 45 hour, 2 week session. The in-person experience is intensive and designed to maximize in-country experiences while keeping it affordable. In-person participation is supported with real-life experiences and interaction outside the classroom. The online option is relaxed and the teaching schedule is flexible, longer and often part time.
Learner-Centered Teaching
Native Language Teachers & Speakers
Custom Program and Flexibility
In-person and Online Options
Benefits and Outcomes
Learning one of our languages may count towards academic credit, intercultural insights and language skills needed for careers in federal government, global business, and other fields. Foreign language experience is also essential to future leaders’ engagement with the world and cultivates unique cultural fluency.
Upon completion, students will be able to demonstrate basic comprehension and conversation skills in different contexts including interactions with others. Students will be able to introduce themselves, interact in a market setting, ask for directions, tell time, greetings, and use the language in everyday situations. Learners will also acquire the core competencies needed to advance in language training.
Our Language Support
We ensure that students have adequate access to resources appropriate for foreign language learning - before, during and upon their return.
We provide adequate orientation and preparation for the intensive experience of speaking and studying the target language.
We utilize the unique opportunities on site to access local resources including speakers of the target language.
We use effective assessment tools to monitor students’ language learning progress and provide meaningful and timely feedback to students on their progress.
We set specific and realistic goals for speaking, listening, reading, and writing in the target language.