Visited 37 minutes ago
Mwalimu Tina
Community TutorTeaches
English
Native
Swahili
Speaks
French
Spanish
Kiswahili is My Second Language 🇹🇿 Fulbright Scholar🌐 Educator📚 Anthropologist🌍 Linguaphile💬
Teaches
English
Native
Swahili
Speaks
French
Spanish
Kiswahili is My Second Language 🇹🇿 Fulbright Scholar🌐 Educator📚 Anthropologist🌍 Linguaphile💬
About Me
Me as a Teacher
My lessons & teaching style
Resume & Certificates
From United StatesLiving in Kigoma, United Republic of Tanzania (03:46 UTC+03:00)
About Me
italki teacher since Oct 13, 2023InterestsTravelMusicWritingReadingHistory
Swahili is my second language through full immersion while living in Tanzania for many years. As an anthropologist, I bring a love for language and culture to my lessons. I acquired Swahili using a self-directed approach—with the leading resources, and through daily conversations with those close to me from Tanzania and DR Congo. This foundation allowed me to conduct postgraduate research in Swahili and complete my Master’s thesis/degree from the University of Dar-es-Salaam. I teach Swahili with the same supportive, friendly methods that helped me become fluent. As you build confidence in Swahili or English, we’ll read and converse to connect language with everyday life, family, and culture!Me as a Teacher
I bring the most unique perspective to Swahili instruction—I navigated the process and became fluent at the C2 level from the ground up, so I understand the challenges learners face. I use and develop evidence-based strategies to guide progress. My Swahili methods work—they are practical, clear, and rooted in experience. For six years, I've taught Swahili to refugees and relatives of Swahili speakers abroad, with prior roles in music education and university instruction. I keep lessons down-to-earth and to the point—I also embrace the importance of humor in the learning process! My goal is to help you feel confident, capable, and equipped to meet your Swahili and English goals—step-by-step. My lessons & teaching style
I specialize in teaching relatives of Swahili speakers using the leading language resources I’ve found through my research and my own immersive experience. I also teach researchers and travelers. My lessons prioritize conversational Swahili, from greetings (a key cultural custom)—to the most practical phrases—to your objectives and life passions. We emphasize listening, speaking, and reading—naturally integrating intonation and grammar—like noun classes, tenses, and verb extensions. My curriculum is centered on real, everyday Swahili—NOT rote memorization of random phrases or outdated tourist Swahili. I love teaching English and Tanzanian Swahili—it's fun and accessible to learn and speak!My teaching material
- PDF file
- Text Documents
- Presentation slides/PPT
- Audio files
- Image files
- Video files
- Articles and news
- Quizzes
- Graphs and charts
- Homework Assignments
Certificates
TEFL – Teaching English as a Foreign Language - Fullcircle - 2023
Fulbright Scholar - U.S. Fulbright Program - Fulbright U.S. Student Program - 2020
Teaching experience
2020 - Current
Kiswahili Tutor
Education
2014 - 2018
Bachelor’s - Cultural Anthropology, Anthropological Linguistics
2020 - 2023
Master's - Swahili Language, Anthropology, Music Culture
Work Experience
2022 - 2023
Volunteer English-Swahili Linguist
2022 - 2023
Volunteer English-Swahili Translator
2019 - 2020
Anthropology Researcher & Music TeacherConducted research and interviews in Kiswahili language about music culture through community immersion; Facilitated community Music & Debate Classes in Kiswahili language without use of English, interpreters or translators.
5.0
Rating
47
Students
357
Lessons
99%
Attendance rate
100%
Response rate
English Lessons
English
Swahili
Trial Lesson
24 lessons completed
USD 11.00+
Conversation Practice 🗣️ with Corrections 🇺🇸 in American English (Levels B2-C2)
B2 - C2Conversation60 lessons completed
USD 13.19+
Package with 10% off
Availability
Based on your timezone (UTC+00:00)
My creations
Vocabulary (2)
Quiz (3)
52 Reviews
All
English
Swahili
Lisa Badger
11 Swahili lessons
Teacher’s pick
Mwalimu Tina is an exceptional teacher. She has self-designed a curriculum that she trusts, merging several sources. But she is also adaptable. She can pivot to focus on topics you want to discuss. Best of all, I feel that she truly cares about her students’ progress. She is the only language teacher I have ever had who keeps notes on each of your lessons, sends a written reminder of homework and has a WhatsApp group for you to connect with her other Swahili students. 👍🏼
Oct 14, 2025
Kiki Morgan
22 Swahili lessons
Teacher’s pick
Mwalimu Tina is perhaps the most dedicated swahili teacher on the platform right now. Her knowledge of what tools and methods adult learners need for learning a language have been more than helpful in my learning journey. She energetic and adaptive, and designs her lessons around the interests of her students. Highly recommended for any beginners in Swahili!
Jul 27, 2025
Tania
1 Swahili lesson
Thank you so much Tina, I appreciate very much how clear your teaching is, and how careful you are to gauge where I am at and what I need. 🙏🏻🤩
Dec 9, 2025
elisa b
23 Swahili lessons
Teacher’s pick
I'm very happy with Tina. She makes a personal plan for you. my Swahili improves every time! I am very happy with her, she is very creative, which makes the lessons interesting and fun.
I'm going to Tanzania next month so we'll adjust it accordingly. I got a lot of good tips for when I go there. she really thinks along!!!
Aug 19, 2025
Marla Love
11 Swahili lessons
Great teacher! She is able to relate what it’s like to learn a new language. She is able to give practical suggestions. Highly recommend.
Jan 31, 2026
Laura Manuela
32 English lessons
Christina is a person who clearly has a passion for teaching, so if you are committed to learning, she can help you a lot, whether you want to learn the language or improve your current level. You can work with her to set up a plan that fits your needs and goals. We have been working on my English pronunciation and with her help, suggestions, and corrections, I have seen real improvement. Thanks Christina😊
Sep 20, 2025
Trial Lesson
USD 11.00
Your final payment will be made in USD