Shade School of Language and Culture (SSLC) is located in a beautiful acre of land in Tigoni on Ithanji Road. SSLC is 20 kilometers (about 15 miles) from downtown Nairobi and approximately 40 kilometers from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

SSLC has an elevation of about 7700 feet above sea level. Nairobi is about 5700 feet above sea level. The area has plenty of fresh water supplied by Tigoni Water Corporation, maximum security alarm systems, round the clock security guards, and not to mention a police outpost just 500 meters away.

If your concept of Africa is based on Tarzan movies (even films from the late 1980's like The Gods Must be Crazy or on the stories of David Livingstone), it will not apply to the area where the SSLC is located. Mud huts and villages certainly do exist in Kenya, but the Central Province of Kenya, where SSLC is located, is not like that at all. It is a fairly convenient place to live in. In fact, SSLC is next to the town of Limuru where most of life's necessities are available from a number of variety and specialty stores. The primary point of interest there would be the Post Office, the Coca-Cola distributor, and the market. There is also a wide variety of people with a wide range of education and economic levels--from the illiterate to those holding postdoctoral degrees; from the very hungry to the very wealthy.

Swahili Programme

Swahili Basic Course

Textbook: The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) Basic Swahili Course Series is used as the primary text for dialogues and conversation. We use an oral language approach, speaking from the first day.

Outside Learning Units (OLU): Assigned for every 3-5 units from the FSI material, these OLUs provide an opportunity for students to practice what they are learning outside of the classroom. Both an informal oral report and a written report of each OLU are required.

Interactive Learning: We are currently testing a new method of introducing new vocabulary--a variation on the learning method known as Total Physical Response (TPR). So far, we are pleased with the results.

Language Helper: One hour per day, four days a week, with a language helper is required. This is self-directed and may involve anything of use to the learner, thus giving opportunity to work on other areas of interest, to work on problems in vocabulary, pronunciation, fluency, grammar, or to get additional practice with the dialogue material and subjects presented in FSI.

Culture Sessions: Once a week, in most weeks, there is a session of culture study or local excursions with culture emphasis or study of missions in action in an African culture setting (how the church does what the church does in Eastern Africa).

Language Immersion: For further language practice, we encourage local trips to places away from school where Swahili is the main medium of communication.

Language Development: Part of the course requirements are doing a personal introduction, sharing a testimony, reciting Bible memory verses, and imparting a short exhortation or devotional.

Cross-cultural Communication: Periodic sessions are held on role development, culture as reflected in language, and principles of self-directed learning.

Reinforcement Drills: Dictation, composition, and other like exercises are regular class seat works.

Reading and Translation: These are from Swahili to English, English to Swahili, with concentration during the second half of the course.

Two-week Refresher Course

Diagnostic evaluation (to determine level of proficiency)

Personal directed study plan (to better meet language learning needs)

General grammar review (to develop confidence in speaking and writing)

Emphasis on individualized study, with teachers or language helpers (to encourage language practice)

Philosophy

The programme adopted by the SSLC is one which sees culture and language as inseparable. Simple technical competency in the language is not the end goal, but is only one aspect of cross-cultural communication. We are committed to the view that:

True communication involves knowledge of and use of the worldview of the target culture. This entails specialized conceptions, views, and beliefs, which the alien (the missionary) must come to as leaner, gain awareness of, and learn proficiency in the use of, in order to know how to communicate what he believes. For example, one must become a member of the society, become accepted in the society's terms, before reaching the point of being accepted as a change agent (one who brings new ideas, information, or beliefs, such as the Christian faith).

Language is a reflection or expression of the culture in which it is used. This means that general proficiency in the language is the door to insights of thought and logic of the target culture. (And it is true that each culture or subculture has its own logic and system of thought and reasoning, which are based on basic assumptions about life and the world.)

Awareness or knowledge of the target culture and its way of thinking are necessary to full communication. This requires not only simple technical proficiency in the language, but also personal involvement in the target culture to think and reason the way its people do.

independenDENCE AND INVOLVEMENT facilitate language acquisition.

Independence: That is, of special people (teachers) and special tools (books and schools). One should develop the ability to learn from anybody and everybody, both passively, by observation, and actively, by questioning or trial and error. By doing this systematically, one can build a coherent picture of the world and begin to make sense of strange cultural references and strange technical (language) tools. This is the principle that drives our conversation programme, field trips, individual assignments, etc.

Involvement: That is, with the people and culture, basically through speaking the language. This requires personal involvement with the people and, gradually, more immersion in the culture. This will result in one feeling more comfortable in a new cultural setting and with new ways of doing things, saying things, reasoning, and making decisions. Thus, our attempts to schedule learning time outside of class, gradually increasing involvement with the African people, communities, and situations, until the student can do this on his own, at his station, and in his work.

Moving from alien to member of the community is an ongoing process. As such learning must continue, but it is a personal experience and it depends upon each individual.

Fees and Reservation

Our basic course is a six-month intensive cross-cultural communication programme consisting of orientation to East African culture, Swahili, and ministry in Africa. Fee for this course for classes beginning in 2007 - 2008 is KHS 129,350.00 for an individual or KHS 258,700.00 for a couple studying together. This includes tuition, books, and morning tea. The fee will be converted to shillings on the first day of class. Please note that travel for local field assignments, orientation trips, any administration costs such as bank charges for clearing cheques and processing fees for Kenya immigration (applications for pupil's pass and dependent's pass) including transportation costs for the same will be extra.

Fees for the first three months only or the last three months only of the Basic Course will be for classes beginning in 2008: KHS 74,100.00 for an individual or KHS 144,950.00 for a couple studying together. A two-month or three-month course will be set up through a special arrangement with the management.

We normally start four courses per year--January, April /May, August and October--for a maximum of eight participants in each class. The primary purpose of the SSLC is to provide for the cross-cultural communication needs of missionaries sent out by mission organizations, para-church groups, NGOs, and Great Commission missionary sending agencies.

Confirmations are made as deposits are received. If for some reason, we cancel your slot subsequent to our confirmation, the total deposit will be refunded to you. This, however, is a rare case and it is highly likely that there will be space for you once you are accepted.

A deposit of KHS 4,000.00 per student is required to confirm a place in the course (see below for information about the housing deposit that is also required). The deposit is refundable, minus any bank or other charges, if cancellation is made more than 60 days before the starting date of the course. No refund will be made if cancellation is made less than 60 days before the course begins unless there is someone to take your place. The deposit will be applied to the total fee.

DEPOSITS MADE IN KENYA SHILLINGS: Cheques should be payable to Shade  School of Language and Culture. Any refund will be made in shillings.

DEPOSITS MADE IN US DOLLARS: Cheques should be payable to Shade School of Language and Culture. Payments made in US dollars are converted into Kenya shillings and deposited. The accounts receivable account for the student is then credited with that deposit, less any bank charges. Any refund will be made in US dollars, again less any bank or other charges.

Application

Please click the link that applies to you:

Application (MSWORD)

Application (PDF)

housing

We strongly encourage you to make plans to stay at the school compound during language study. Even though there is limited space at the school compound, it is highly unlikely that you will have nowhere to stay once accepted because the school has an extra cottage in a safe location nearby.

The SSLC offices and residential classrooms are located at Tigoni, Ithanji Road. Most learners stay in furnished cottages. Rent and utilities range from approximately KSH 30,000 to 40,000 per month. A housing deposit of KSH 25,000 is required. The same will be refunded to you at the end of your stay, less any damages. Make that cheque payable to Shade School of Language and Culture.

All cottages are fully-furnished, including linens and kitchen implements like cookware, cutlery, flatware, glassware, hand mixer, etc. You will likely have metric measuring cups and spoons, but you will be provided with a conversion chart if you are not familiar with the system.

If you are a long-term missionary, some things that you might consider bringing for your apartment kitchen are: blender, ice trays (US$ 1.13 each in Nairobi), pressure cooker for cooking dried beans and for tenderizing meat,Nairobikitchen timer, cookbooks, Tupperware/Rubbermaid containers, oven thermometer, etc. There is a Newcomer’s Guide to Cooking in Africa available through SSLC for KSh 750.00. This is a compilation of American recipes used by missionaries in East Africa. The cookbook published by Wycliffe (SIL), The Wycliffe International Cookbook, is also very good and designed for cooking-from-scratch.

schools for children

Schooling for missionary kids (MKs) is a major concern for parents coming to the SSLC for Swahili study. Fortunately, there are two very good options for education from kindergarten through 12th grade, in a Christian environment in the Limuru area, some 12 kilometers away from Limuru. You will need to bring copies of records from your children's previous schools as well as official copies of birth certificates (these will also be needed for dependents' passes).

Rosslyn Academy

Rosslyn Academy--a day school (as opposed to boarding) for kindergarten through 12th grade, owned and operated by the International Mission Board, the Mennonites, and the Assemblies of God--is a possibility if you have school-aged children. The school uses an American curriculum and employs primarily American and Canadian teachers. You will need to apply as early as possible as the demand for places is high and priority is given to MKs of the owner missions.

Rift Valley Academy

Rift Valley Academy (RVA)--a boarding school for 1st-12th graders. Space is even more limited than at Rosslyn Academy and you should apply at least four months ahead (a year or more in advance is not too early).

Child care

There are experienced persons available for employment for both child care and house help.

Home School

Home schooling is strongly discouraged while you are in language study. Swahili study is a full-time job for both parents, and Rosslyn Academy and RVA provide a well-balanced education with a Christian philosophy, emphasis, and teachers. What often happens with families who try to home school and learn Swahili is that the wife quits her Swahili
studies.

life at sslc

Weather

Despite the fact that SSLC (Limuru) is only about 80 miles south of the equator, it is often quite cool for much of the year because of the high altitude. During June, July, and August it isn't unusual for the temperature to drop to approximately 40 F (8 C). During January, February, and March the highs are rarely higher than 83 F (28 C). Nairobi is usually 10-15 degrees warmer than Limuru. Mombasa is hot and humid (90-100 F or 32-38 C) during December-April and warm (70-85 F or 21-29 C) during June to August.

Although the amount of rain will vary, the entire nation has two rainy seasons. The long rains are from the end of March until the end of May or the first of June; the short rains last from mid-October until mid- to late-December. As you plan for your time in language study, remember these seasons. No matter what time of year you will be at SSLC for language study, you will want to bring at least a jacket or sweater. If you will be here during the period of June to November, autumn clothes will be suitable. Even if you won't be at SSLC for language study during the cooler months, put warmer clothes in your crate. Don't assume that because you are going to Africa it can't be cold; you will be cold at SSLC from June through August!

Bring raincoats, umbrellas (umbrellas can be purchased here at reasonable prices), rubber boots, etc. Good, reasonably priced boots for children can be purchased here. For adults, gumboots, designed primarily for outside work, are also available.

Shorts are acceptable for school for children younger than 7th grade; jeans or warm-up suits are fine for cooler weather. Rosslyn Academy is now enforcing a four-finger rule for shorts and skirts/dresses for students in the 7^th to 12th grades. Shorts can be no shorter than the width of four fingers above the knee when standing; dresses/skirts can be no shorter than four fingers above the knee when sitting.

Despite the cool air at SSLC, the sun is very intense. Someone once described the highlands of East Africa as a cool land with a hot sun. Because of the altitude, there is less atmospheric protection from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Bring sunglasses, sun screen (at least SPF 15), and a brimmed hat to protect your nose, ears, neck, and (if you have this problem) your baldhead.

Laundry

Laundry service is available through the SSLC at about US$ 1.33 per load for washing and $2.00 per load for drying. Some people hire someone to wash their clothes by hand. Plastic clothes hangers are available here at about US$ 0.33 each.

Activities

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Time Differences

Kenya is 3 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), or 8 hours ahead of Eastern, 9 hours ahead of Central, 10 hours ahead of Mountain, and 11 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time. During Daylight Savings Time, we are 7, 8, 9, and 10 hours ahead, respectively.

Mail

The mailing address for Entry Orientation participants is:

YOUR NAME

P.O Box 52-00217

Limuru, Kenya

Packages can be sent to you, though sales tax and customs duty can be expensive. If possible, use the small, green customs declaration sticker from the US Post Office rather than the half-sheet sized, white sticker. The smaller the package, the more likely it will come without tax or duty. Write "NCV" (No Cash Value) or "Not for Resale" on the declaration form. If a value is declared, use the used value--about 1/4 of retail. Any shrink-wrapping or new-item packaging material should be removed before mailing (leave audio/video tapes in their boxes). Gifts are best sent unwrapped and addressed to someone other than the intended receiver.

Tax and Duty

Tax and duty will vary depending on the item. Books and educational material are not supposed to be taxed. Clothes will be assessed tax and duty. Packages can be sent by DHL, Federal Express, and UPS--these are quick but expensive options. All have offices in Nairobi.

Others

You will probably want to include in your suitcase or excess baggage a few extras to make the apartment really your own. Many people have found that setting aside a favorite picture, knick-knack, flower vase, etc. to travel with and to set on a mantel or shelf wherever they are staying helps give a sense of home. Others have found that having a favorite game is helpful in maintaining some continuity. Another nice item to have is a CD player and compact discs. A small cassette tape player will also be helpful to you in your Swahili studies.

just a word of advice

You should plan to have no missionary responsibilities during the time you are studying Swahili although you will be encouraged to be involved in ministry events that will enhance your learning. You will need your mission's cooperation in this as well as your own strong discipline and willingness to say, "No" occasionally. Learning to live cross-culturally will take concentration and effort but will pay off in long-term benefits in your ministry.

However, if you limit your use and learning of Swahili to these hours, you will have limited success. Determine now that you will make opportunities outside of the scheduled times to use whatever Swahili you can, whenever you can, with whomever you can.