Kiswahili Research Articles

Using ICT to Improve Teaching and Learning of Kiswahili Language for University Students

This study aimed to investigate the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to improve Kiswahili teaching and learning at the University of Dodoma. The objectives of the study were: To identify the experience of using ICT devices in teaching general language, to examine the use of ICT in Kiswahili language classes and suggest innovative ICT tools to teach and spread Kiswahili. The study employed social learning theory of Bandura. The study used a descriptive survey design to answer the research questions. Purposive sampling was used to choose key informants. Documentaries, interviews and focus group discussion were used for teachers and students to collect data and documentary reviews used to provide further information.The results showed a limited use of ICT in teaching and learning of general languages and this adds up into poor access of existing installed language laboratory. The results also showed minimal use of ICT in Kiswahili language classes to the extent that majority of the students preferred to use Kiswahili in the computers, laptops and mobile phones. However, the study came up with various innovative ICT tools such as web based learning and improved language lab to teach and spread Kiswahili language. This can be done through ICT tools such as computer use, mobile phones and accessing the internet through language apps.

Language Comparison Between Swahili and Malay Languages with Semantic and Pragmatic Problems

The purpose of this study is to explore the similarities and differences of Malay and Kiswahili, which is better known as Swahili. This study intends to investigate the patterns of response from Malays and Kiswahili. In discussing the idea of linguistic meaning by comparing the Swahili language with Malay, this study focuses on different meanings, assuming that there will be differences regarding the discussion of meaning types that can enhance understanding and appreciation of linguistic meaning. The discussion takes a general conceptual orientation of approach that considers language to be an analysis where the analytical unit is speech acts. From a broader perspective, this article distinguishes the conceptual and associative meaning of the use of Malay and Swahili languages then begins dealing with the individual types. There are five types of meanings discussed, namely conceptual, connotative, social, affective and collocative. The results show that there are many differences between Malay and Swahili languages. The connotation is meaning that is still difficult to understand, and it is what requires the continuation of learning semantics and pragmatics because every language has a different meaning following the culture.

Gli autori/The Authors

Graziella Acquavivaholds a PhD in African Studies from the University of Naples “L’Orientale” and is currently a fixed-term (Senior) Researcher in Swahili Language and Literature at the University of Turin. She has done extensive field research in Tanzania and Kenya on Swahili popular literature and has many publications in the field of African literature. She further translated Collodi’s Le avventure di Pinocchio: Storia di un burattino (1883) and Carofiglio’s Testimone inconsapevole (2002) from Italian into Swahili (Hekaya za Pinokio and Shahidi asiyekusudiwa). She teaches Swahili Language, culture and literature at the

The Shirazi Civilisation and its Impact on the East African Coast

Abstract The relations between Iran and East Africa are captured well by depicting the impact of the Shirazi (Persian) civilisation on the East African coast. But some influential scholars claim that historians tend to dismiss or trivialise the role played by the Shirazis in East Africa. The demonstrable impact of Shirazi civilisation in East Africa is evident in the expansion of trade between the East African coast and the Persian Gulf region with the expansion of Islam. The Persian language has bequeathed to the Kiswahili language many lexicons that are presently still accessible in the region. Persian poets influenced Kiswahili literature through their classic works. The influence of Persian architecture is seen in Shirazi building styles throughout cities including Zanzibar, Kilwa and Manda. Thus Shirazis brought Persian traditions and customs to East Africa, and some Shirazis intermarried with the Arabs and local communities. As compiled here from other sources, there is enough enduring historical evidence to demonstrate incontrovertibly the impact of the Shirazis in social, economic and political aspects of East African life. This legacy arguably justifies greater contemporary cooperation between East African nation states and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Barriers to the uptake of modern family planning methods among female youth of Temeke District in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: A qualitative study

ObjectivesDespite the accessibility of modern family planning (FP) methods, unwanted pregnancies remains a serious problem in Tanzania. This study aimed to identify the barriers to the uptake of modern FP methods among female youth reached by the Chaguo la Maisha project in Temeke District, Tanzania. Study designQualitative study conducted in March 2017 involving 15 female youths aged 18–24 years. Main outcome measuresPurposive sampling was used to select study participants and sampling followed the principle of data saturation. The study participants were those who received contraceptive counseling from community health mobilizers and agreed to visit a nearby health facility for FP services but did not go for the services. A semi-structured interview guide, translated into Kiswahili language was used. Data were transcribed; analyzed following qualitative content analysis. Major categories and subcategories that hindered visitations were identified. ResultsThree categories and their subcategories were identified as hindering FP method uptake. (1) individual perception factors: (a) myths and misconceptions, (b) fear of side effects, (c) fear of the possibility of being pregnant at the time of FP counseling; (2) community perception factors: discouragement from an intimate partner and closest friends; and (3) health facility system factors: unavailability of the preferred method and absence of the trained personnel for the FP method. ConclusionsThe main barriers to FP uptake were myths and misconceptions, and fear of side effects. The intimate partner or closest friends were significant decision influencers on contraceptive use, implying that FP campaigns should focus beyond the individual level.

Analysis of modern media texts in Swahili language using the methods of corpus linguistics

This article examines the application of corpus linguistics techniques for analyzing modern media texts in Swahili language. The language of mass media is representative and productive for the analysis and extraction of terms referred to the various spheres of speech use. The subject of this research is the peculiarities of determination of simple and compound medical terms and phrases in the Swahili language media texts by analyzing data on the frequency of using n-gram. To undertake this study, the author comprised the body of media texts based on the materials of Mtanzania newspaper published in 2014-2019. The methods of corpus linguistics and computer analysis were applied for collection of materials and analysis of the acquired data. The results of the conducted research demonstrated the effectiveness of the use of extraction technique if the relevant simple and compound medical terms by analyzing the body of media texts of the section Afya na Jamii, healthcare and social sphere using the UNIX system. An undeniable advantage of analysis of the body of media texts is the use of a “living” language with lexical saturation relevant for the present time. The obtained results may find future practical application: after processing by the lexicographers and experts in the area of medicine, the discovered terms and phrases can be used for composing specialized thematic dictionaries in Swahili language.

Linguistics Terminology and Neologisms in Swahili: Rules vs. Practice

In this article we discuss the use of Swahili terminology in the field of linguistics. In particular, we are interested in finding out whether the rules laid out by scholars in the scientific literature for the creation of terminological neologisms in Swahili correspond with actual practice. In order to do this, three steps are taken. In Step 1 we undertake the semi-automatic extraction of linguistics terminology, by comparing occurrence frequencies in a special-purpose corpus consisting of ten recent Swahili language/linguistics textbooks, with their corresponding frequencies in a twenty-two-million-token general-language reference corpus of Swahili. In Step 2 we study the source languages and actual word formation processes of the terms and neologisms with the highest keyness values obtained during the previous step. This discussion is divided into several sections, one section per source language. In Step 3, the terms and neologisms that have been found are compared with their treatment (or absence thereof) in two existing reference works, a general dictionary and a linguistics terminology list. These three steps are preceded by brief introductions to (i) the Swahili language; (ii) its dictionaries and terminology lists; (iii) its metalexicographical, terminological and neologism studies; and (iv) our use of the term neologism. The three steps are followed by a discussion of our findings and a conclusion.

The Writing Techniques Used in Presentation of Love Theme in Some of Muyaka’s Poems (1979)

Poetry is one of the genres in Swahili literature; it is categorized in written literature. Poetry is composed and presented to the audience however; each author has his way of communicating his messages which promote themes. This research is on The writing techniques used in presentation of love themes in some of Muyaka’s Poems. Although there are studies that have been carried out concerning the elaboration of themes by researchers, there was still a shortage of research done basing on The writing techniques used in presentation of love themes in some of Muyaka’s Poems. The main objective is to analyse the writing techniques used in presentation of love theme in some of Muyaka’s poems in <i>Muyaka’s poetry book</i>. The research is conducted in <i>Muyaka’s poetry</i>. The selection of this poetic book was done using purposive technique. This is a library based research hence the technique used to collect the data is the document analysis technique. Data is analyzed descriptively based on the prisms. The main purpose of this paper is to cover the gap that has been left without being researched on which is writing techniques used in presentation of love themes in some of Muyaka’s Poems. The research is guided by two theories; New Critism that emphasizes on the close reading analysis and Stylistic theory that emphasizes on how language can be used in a literally work. The method mainly involved the use of observation and reading. The data is analyzed based on the prisms of the two theories. The findings indicated that the writing techniques used in presentation of love themes are used effectively in Swahili poetry, the writing techniques used include Similes, Imagery, Hyperbole, Repetition, Rhetorical questions metaphors, Sayings, and Parables, the study revealed that the techniques used in the presentation of love themes are appropriate hence they are likely to make the language interesting, to enable the reader think, encourage community members and it makes communication effective. This paper will help a common man to be aware of how love themes can be presented in the African society, the countries that use Swahili language will give guidance to their scholars on poetry, also this work will be a good reference material to other research works.

Indigenous Languages: A Challenge or an Opportunity in the Achievement of Universal Healthcare in Kenya

One of the development agenda for Kenya is the achievement of universal healthcare. An assessment of the level at which this has been implemented reveals that Kenya is facing challenges in implementing this endeavor. Health professionals communicate with patients to build trust for more effective practice. Failure to communicate strains the relationship, leading to ineffective practice. One of the main obstacles that may lead to failure in communication is differences in language and culture between the doctor and the patient. Majority of the people that universal healthcare targets in Kenya speak indigenous languages as opposed to English and Kiswahili, languages that the healthcare providers speak. Effective communication occurs through a language that the communicants understand best. Health care providers, in Kenya, understand English and Kiswahili best, while their patients understand Kenyan indigenous languages best. So, what language should be used in universal healthcare endeavors? Should it be English, Kiswahili or Indigenous languages? This shows that one of the main challenges facing the implementation of effective healthcare system and intervention in Kenya could be the language of discussions. Using a descriptive design, this paper takes a critical look at the role of Kenya’s indigenous languages in achieving universal healthcare goals. It argues that the achievement of effective and sustainable universal healthcare in Kenya can only become possible through the use of indigenous languages as languages of discussions. And that the use of indigenous languages in universal healthcare endeavors in Kenya should not be seen as a challenge but as an opportunity.

PERSON SPEECH BEHAVIOR MARKERS IN EXTREME SITUATION (ACCORDING TO SUAKHILI LITERARY SOURCE)

An extreme situation implies an active influence on the psychological-emotional state of a person, which is expressed in tension, agitation, aggression and other manifestations of temperament, deviated from the generally accepted norms of behavior. In artistic texts, the representation of a person's speech behavior in an extreme (conflict) situation is realized through the Swahili language means that mark a conflict communicative act. In this article, based on the material of the Swahiliazy novel "The World is Chaos" by E. Kesilahabi, an attempt is made to study the markers that reveal the speech behavior of a conflict communicative act participants. Phonetics-graphic, grammatical and lexical markers are distinguished, the most frequent of them are identified (the use of a wide range of interjections, the highlighting of a phrase with an exclamation point, syntactic repetitions, the use of invective vocabulary, etc.). The authors come to the conclusion that the simultaneous implementation of these markers is observed in the dicthemes of conflict communicative acts to a greater extent. The results of the research can be used for further developments in the field of linguistics, ethnic-linguistics, psycholinguistics, grammar, translation studies, etc

INFLUENCE OF TEACHER RELATED FACTORS ON STUDENTS' ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN KISWAHILI COMPOSITION IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KISUMU WEST SUB-COUNTY, KENYA

Composition writing helps learners to acquire writing skills. However, students’ performance in Kiswahili composition at the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination shows that national performance has been fluctuating with a mean of 14.20 in 2008, 15.40 in 2009, 14.32 in 2010, 16.43 in 2011 and 10.43 in 2012out of 40 marks. From year 2008 to 2012, Kisumu West Sub-County students’ performance in the Joint Evaluation Test (JET) shows that performance was lower compared to other sub-counties in Kisumu County with a mean of 11.20 which was below the county mean of 13.49. Although studies have established that teachers are key determinants of performance, students’ academic performance in Kiswahili composition has remained below average in public secondary schools in Kisumu West Sub-County. The purpose of the study was to establish the influence of teacher related factors on students’ academic performance in Kiswahili composition in public secondary schools in Kisumu West Sub-County, Kenya. The study employed descriptive survey and correlation designs. Target population was 1622 Form 4 students, 54 teachers of Kiswahili Language, 33 Heads of Department (HOD) and 1 Sub-County Curriculum Support Officer (SCCSO). Purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample of 48 teachers, 29 HOD and 1 SCCSO. Krejcie and Morgan’s (1970) formula was used to select a sample of 310 Form 4 students. Teacher and student questionnaire, HOD/SCCSO interview schedule and Kiswahili composition test were used for data collection. The study found a positive strong relationship between teacher related factors (R=.518 * , p=.000) and students’ academic performance. It was concluded that an improvement in teacher related factors increased students’ academic performance in Kiswahili composition. The study therefore recommends that teachers should be constantly engaged in refresher courses, seminars and symposia to update their skills on Kiswahili language pedagogy so as to improve students’ academic performance. Article visualizations:

The Role of Fiction Writers in the Development of Kiswahili

ABSTRACTThis paper analyses fiction writers’ contribution to the development of Kiswahili language. The paper is anchored on the assumption that writers play a big role in the development of language. The contribution of fiction writers has not been widely investigated. This paper analyses the position that creative writers in Swahili literature have accorded this language in their works, and how this position contributes to the development of the language. Additionally, there is a discussion on how writers affect readers’ appreciation of the importance of the Swahili language. This study was guided by social influence theory that holds that popular and distinguished people have a lot of influence that can shape others in society. Writers have this characteristic and so they can shape the outlook and views of their readers on the importance of the Swahili language. The data used in this paper was collected by reading the fictional works of three writers of Swahili literature who were purposively sampled: Shaaban Robert, Wallah bin Wallah, and Ken Walibora, together with questionnaires sent to 40 students and 8 lecturers at Rongo University. Similarly, these authors’ works were purposively sampled. Findings of this study show that these writers have given Kiswahili a special position in society and have used admirable characters who love and defend the language, thus influencing the readers to also love Swahili.

Environmental Factors That Affect the Teaching of Kiswahili Language in Public Mixed Secondary Schools in Nyamira North Sub-County, Nyamira County, Kenya

Kiswahili is both a national and official language in Kenya .It is taught as a compulsory discipline and examined at the end of the secondary school cycle of education in Kenya. The area of study was in Nyamira North Sub-County in Nyamira County. The Students' performance in Kiswahili language in K.C.S.E has not been impressive nationally for a long period. The purpose of this study was to investigate the environmental factors that affect the teaching of Kiswahili language in secondary schools in Nyamira North Sub-County, Nyamira County. The specific objectives of the study were to: establish the environmental factors that affected the teaching of Kiswahili language. The research used a descriptive research design. The target population was one hundred and fifty five comprising of 35 principals, 35 Heads of Departments (languages), 50 Kiswahili teachers from all the sampled schools and 35 mixed day secondary schools. The study adopted two sampling techniques: Stratified sampling technique and purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using: questionnaires (for principals and Kiswahili teachers) and interview schedule for H.O.Ds'. Data collected were coded and entered into the SPSS version 20.0. The data was analysed and presented using tables and percentages. Findings of the study indicated that most students had a positive attitude towards Kiswahili and the main problem was failure to use of the library facility and inadequate teaching and learning instructional resources, lack of a formal school language policy and use of mother tongue and sheng' performance. The researcher recommended the schools to sponsor their teachers to attend capacity building seminars and workshops with a view to acquiring more techniques and sharing with other teachers on areas of difficult. It also emphasised that for better performance to be realised teachers of Kiswahili need regular in service trainings to prepare them for the changing dynamics of teaching language. The researcher hopes that this study would add to the field of knowledge and fill the gaps that are hindering the teaching and learning of Kiswahili.

PARENTS' AND TEACHERS' PERCEPTIONS OF FACTORS AFFECTING LEARNING IN KENYA.

Studies have shown that a child's learning in school is affected by several factors, some related to the school environment, others to the home and community while others are as a result of the individual characteristics of the child. This study sought to explore parents' and teachers' perceptions of factors that affect learning of children in primary schools in a rural County in Kenya. This was a qualitative study that adopted the phenomenological approach. It was conducted with parents and teachers of 7 primary schools in rural and semi-rural areas of Kiambu County in Kenya. Using a researcher developed guide, data was collected using focus group discussion with parents and teachers. The discussions were conducted as follows-four were conducted in English language, two in Kiswahili language, and three were conducted in the local language and all were audio taped. Research assistants also took notes during the discussions. Results were transcribed verbatim and those that needed to be translated into English were translated. In analysis, MA, MM and MT read the transcripts and coded the major themes. Four themes perceived by both parents and teachers to affect a child's learning emerged. These were; school environment, home, community and factors within the child. There is need for both teachers and parents to come together and discuss perceived factors that interfere with learning of the children. Those that form a consensus for both groups, means to address them be found for better academic success of the child.

أثر الترجمة فی نشر بعض المفاهیم المغلوطة ترجمة القادیانیة لکلمة (الجهاد) فی القرآن الکریم نموذجاً

الملخص تعد في بعض الأحيان أداة للغزو الفکري، وذلک حين تتخذ وسيلة لنشر بعض المفاهيم المغلوطة لأسباب سياسية أو دينية أو اجتماعية.. من المفاهيم التي حاول المغرضون تحريف دلالتها مصطلح الجهاد. من ثم بدأ الباحث ببيان حقيقة الجهاد المشروع في الإسلام، ثم استعرض شخصية مبارک أحمد صاحب الترجمة وتوجهاته الفکرية والعقدية. بعد ذلک عرض الباحث ترجمة مبارک أحمد لکلمة الجهاد في ترجمته لمعاني القرآن الکريم إلى اللغة السواحيلية، ثم قام بدراسة أثر في نشر مفهوم الجهاد في القاديانية لمعاني القرآن الکريم مقارنا ذلک بترجمات لاثنين من أهل السنة والجماعة وهما عبدالله صالح الفارسي والبرواني مع عرض وجهة نظر الباحث .. وقد خرج البحث ببعض النتائج؛ ومنها أن تعد من أسلحة الغزو الثقافي نظرا لما تقوم به من إيصال معنى غير مراد من النص الأصلي، الأمر الذي يترتب عليه وقوع القارئ في لبس أو اعتقاده في مفهوم خاطئ. Abstract: Sometimes is an instrument of intellectual invasion when used as a means of spreading some misconceptions for political, religious or social reasons. Some of the concepts that some have tried to distort are the term Jihad. Then the researcher began to show the truth of the legitimate Jihad in Islam, and then reviewed the personality of Mubarak Ahmed, owner of the translation and his intellectual tendencies. After that, the researcher presented the of Mubarak to the word Jihad in his of the meaning of the Quran into the Swahili language .. Then he studied the effect of in spreading the concept of Jihad in the Qadiyani of the meanings of the Holy Quran, hey compared it with two translations of the Sunnis: Sheikh Abdulla Saleh Al-Farsi and Sheikh Ali Muhsin Al-Barwani. The research came with some results that the is a weapon of cultural invasion because of the delivery of meaning unintended from the original text which leads to the occurrence of the reader in the confusion or belief in the concept of wrong.

Effectiveness of Student Councils in Conflict Resolutions and Communication in Secondary School Management in Nyeri County, Kenya

Schools in Nyeri County continue to face diverse conflicts in the day to day running of the schools. Amongst these conflicts include burning of school dormitory at Giakaibei Secondary in Mathira in 2016; injuring of deputy principal at Kirimara Boys High School in school riots in the same school in 2018; and school unrests in Giakabii High School, Watuka High School, Wamagana Girls, and Mwiyogo Girls in 2016. To mitigate the negative consequences of conflicts, there is need for conflict resolutions. This study sought to examine effectiveness of student councils in conflict resolutions and communication in secondary school management in Nyeri County, Kenya. Amongst the objectives of the study included examination of the challenges affecting student councils in communication for effective school Management in Nyeri County and establishing the challenges affecting student councils in conflict resolutions for effective school Management in Nyeri County, Kenya. Amongst the challenges that student councils faced in conflict resolution included lack of skills in conflict resolution, making decisions based on friendships, and threats from other students amongst others. The study thus noted need for organized forums to train students on conflict resolutions as well as need for guidance and counselling. The study found the communication challenges of the student councils to be poor masterly of English and Kiswahili language, lack of communication channels, and speaking in vernacular. The communication challenges of student councils can be mitigated through use of suggestion boxes, banning of vernacular languages, and encouragement of conversation without fear of intimidation. Keywords: Student councils, conflict resolution, management DOI : 10.7176/DCS/9-3-06 Publication date :March 31 st 2019

Kenyan Technical Students’ Views on the Role of Kiswahili in Technical Education

In Kenya, Kiswahili is taught in almost all levels of education, both in public and private institutions, except technical institutes. Therefore, its role is not explicitly explored in these institutions. However, it plays uncategorized important roles by the sidelines of the technical education curriculum and therefore, its importance cannot be underrated. It is out of this realization that this study, embarks on establishing the views of students of technical institutes on the importance of Kiswahili language in technical education. The research adopted a descriptive survey design, sampling 148 students and 20 instructors from 5 technical institutions. The study used questionnaires and structured interview guides to collect data. The content analysis method was majorly used to analyze the data obtained. The findings revealed that Kiswahili plays a very important role by the sidelines of the technical education curriculum. Currently, Kiswahili is not the medium of instruction in technical institutes, however course instructors, use it to expound complex concepts, especially among the certificate students. Additionally, it is widely used in academic discussions when students are preparing for internal and external examinations. Also, counselors use it as a guidance and counseling tool, and it is the preferred language for service delivery in the field among other roles. This study also found out that Kiswahili is the language of communication among the students. Out of these important roles played by Kiswahili as revealed by the students, this study recommends that the Ministry of Higher Education Science and Technology (MOHEST), in collaboration with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) works on a strategy to introduce teaching of Kiswahili language as a subject to technical institutes' students. By so doing, they will be supporting the academic and social roles that Kiswahili plays by the sidelines of the technical education curriculum. Finally, further research can be conducted on the comparison of attitudes of technical institutes' students towards both Kiswahili and English in view of using Kiswahili as the medium of instruction among certificate students.

Exploring a Forward Design Dimension in the design of school-based Kiswahili teaching syllabi for primary schools in Uganda

In Uganda, delays in teaching and learning of Kiswahili in primary schools have been experienced since their establishment in the education systems in the 1920s. At present, the language-in-education policy requires the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) to prepare instructional materials for facilitating the teaching of Kiswahili as a compulsory subject from primary schools to secondary schools. However, the NCDC has been able to produce and launch the Kiswahili teaching syllabi for secondary schools only, delaying the introduction of the teaching syllabi for primary schools. This theoretical paper argues that the absence of a Kiswahili conventional syllabus in primary schools has led teachers to (i) abandon the teaching profession as Kiswahili language teachers, and (ii) attempt ‘designing’ individual-based (hereafter, school-based) syllabi. The paper intends to demonstrate how the quality of the existing school-based syllabi can be improved and also aims to demonstrate (to language teaching researchers, advisers and language teachers) in general, how teachers can design their respective school-based syllabi purposefully to strengthen the teaching and learning of Kiswahili in their respective schools and classrooms.

Semantic Shift in the Kenyan Prison Argot

Prison argot is a language variety with great creativity manifested in its semantic richness. This variety of language has received the attention of many scholars in the western countries in different periods of time. Despite prison being a rich semantic vessel, prison lingo has not received the proper attention of linguists in Africa. The end result is that very few linguistic conclusions have been reached regarding this variety of language in Kenya. The main aim of this paper is to examine the semantic shift in the Kenyan prison argot based on the lexical pragmatic framework. The paper provides an overview of this subject matter by analyzing the various types of semantic shifts through definitions and example of the argot terms affected. The processes involved in the case of semantic change include lexical narrowing and lexical broadening with some of its varieties namely; metaphoric extensions and hyperbole. The study was carried out at Kibos and Kisumu maximum-security prisons in Kisumu County, Kenya. Forty respondents were selected to participate in the study. In lexical broadening, standard Swahili words were found to have been given additional meaning in the prison context. In lexical narrowing, the semantic meaning of some Swahili words were found to have been narrowed. The paper established that the inmates change the meaning of words in the prisons so as to hide secretes from the prisons officers.

Factors Leading to Kiswahili Poor Speaking Skills in Kicukiro Secondary Schools, Rwanda

This study aims at investigating factors that lead to Kiswahili poor Speaking Skills in Kicukiro Secondary Schools, Rwanda. The study was guided by constructivism theory by Jean Piaget (1896-1980). Different methods were used to collect data, including interview, classroom observation and document analysis. As a result, this research used three Kiswahili teachers from three different secondary schools and twelve students from those schools. Data from the research were analyzed qualitatively. The target population was selected purposively. Findings showed that students do not speak Kiswahili effectively owing to different reasons, namely: shyness of students while speaking Kiswahili, lack of motivation, fear of speaking Kiswahili in public, lack of Kiswahili spoken vocabulary as well as lack of confidence in speaking Kiswahili language. Therefore, this study recommends various educational institutions, including the ministry of education and its stakeholders to provide enough teaching resources in schools, cooperation of learners with parents’ involvements in learning development of their children, teachers must be well equipped in strategies that help students acquire Kiswahili speaking skills.