Marion Awino will be teaching Swahili as a Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) alongside our language faculty here at the University of Michigan. Swahili is a language spoken in East African countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, The Congo, and South Sudan. It is the national language of both Kenya and Tanzania.
In Kenya, where Marion Awino is from, Swahili is taught alongside English from nursery school to high school and is also used in daily conversations. This allowed her to become fluent in the language at a very young age. Awino developed an interest in teaching Swahili language and culture as an FLTA so that she could share her culture with the world.
One has to know the origin of the Swahili language and culture to be able to understand it better. When Arab traders came to the East African coast through the Indian Ocean, they interacted with the Bantus at the coast. This interaction caused the fusion between Bantu languages and linguistic borrowings from Arabic, which consequently formed the Swahili language. The Arab traders also brought spices like cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom, which are widely used to prepare Swahili dishes.
Awino believes that the use of realia, especially in the teaching of a foreign language/culture, is crucial for effective learning. For example, using videos to showcase Swahili culture is more effective than using a theoretical approach. Her previous teaching experience in Kenya teaching English and Literature to high school students displayed how students' realia fosters a better understanding of foreign languages.
Awino is also passionate about incorporating mental health needs into learning institutions. She volunteers with The Coalition Action for Preventive Mental Health in Kenya as she seeks to promote a better environment for students in schools. Through this, she is contributing to educating better generations to come!
