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SwahiliPod101 Review

SwahiliPod101 Review

Swahili, also known as Kiswahili, holds official language status in both Tanzania and Kenya. It is also widely spoken in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and the Comoros Islands. Approximately 16 million people speak Swahili as their native language, while around 82 million speak it as a second language.

It is considered to be one of the easier languages for native English speakers to learn due to its logical pronunciation and spelling and its straightforward grammar. Swahili brought us the now-iconic saying, “Hakuna Matata”, from The Lion King movie. It simply means “no worries.”

If you are considering learning to speak Swahili, please read on for our in-depth review about Innovative Languages’ SwahiliPod101.

SwahiliPod101 Review: Introduction

SwahiliPod101 is a language-learning program designed by Innovative Languages. It offers you the convenience of learning Swahili on your own time and at your own pace through its collection of video lessons and podcasts.

When you sign up for SwahiliPod101, you’ll automatically be enrolled in a seven-day free trial of the Premium subscription plan—no credit card required. Additionally, you’ll always retain access to your free lifetime account.

A few of the accessible features of SwahiliPod101 include:

  • Complete access to the lesson library collection
  • Free access on computer or mobile app
  • Quick daily lesson and word-of-the-day emails
  • Four subscription levels: Free, Basic, Premium and PremiumPLUS
  • Five expertise levels: Absolute Beginner, Beginner, Intermediate, Upper Intermediate, and Advanced
  • Voice-recording tools
  • Custom word and phrase lists
  • One-on-one instruction (PremiumPLUS subscription)
  • Ongoing assessments

SwahiliPod101 Pros

Pro #1: Comprehensive Lesson Archives

SwahiliPod101 offers hundreds of hours of lessons through both podcasts and videos. There are structured lesson plans to guide you through learning Swahili grammar and vocabulary as well as quick lessons for brushing up on travel or emergency phrases. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or an intermediate speaker, you’ll find one of the most comprehensive selections of lessons available.

Pro #2: Native-Speaking Instructors

All courses are taught by native Swahili speakers, ensuring you learn authentic dialects and cultural norms. It’s one of the most genuine ways to learn a language short of complete immersion.

Pro #3: On-The-Go Learning

You can access your account on either a computer or on the mobile app, so you’re able to study when it is most convenient and at your own pace. You can even download the videos and podcasts to study when you’re offline and sneak lessons in while waiting in lobbies or on your daily commute.

SwahiliPod101 Cons

Con #1: Geared for Beginning Speakers

For those who are just learning Swahili, SwahiliPod101 offers a wealth of new information. However, it is lacking for those on an intermediate to advanced level. If you are trying to enhance fluency, SwahiliPod101 is probably better used as a supplemental course alongside a more comprehensive program or class.

Con #2: Small Community

Swahili is not a popular language to learn, and as such there is a very small community of other speakers with which to converse. It can therefore be difficult to find many others to practice Swahili.

Con #3: Lack of Feedback

Unless you choose the more expensive monthly subscription programs, there is little feedback on your progress. The Premium subscription offers some assessments, but for one-on-one questions and feedback, you will need to sign up for the PremiumPLUS subscription.

SwahiliPod101 Features

Podcasts and Video Lessons

SwahiliPod101 features plenty of podcasts where instructors speak slowly, allowing you time to follow along with ease. While there are fewer video lessons compared to other Pod101 language programs, the videos that are provided often display the spoken words on screen, helping you connect sounds to their written form. However, it’s worth noting that these lessons may rely a bit too heavily on English.

SwahiliPod101 Review - Video Lesson Screenshot

Lesson Transcripts

Lesson transcripts are available at the end of each lesson and can be printed out for later review even when you may not have Internet access or cannot use your mobile device. They go over the lesson exactly as it was taught on podcast or video.

Dashboard

Your dashboard serves as your home base of the SwahiliPod101 program. Upon logging into your account, you’ll be taken to your dashboard where you can upgrade your subscription, adjust your expertise level, and access various learning pathways.

Learning Pathways

There are a variety of learning pathways to get you started speaking Swahili. You can choose the guided pathway that will take you on a structured course through the Swahili language and grammar. Other pathways that are available include “Swahili for Emergencies” or “Swahili for Travel” for quick refresher courses. Though the pathways are abundant, it can be confusing to know exactly where to begin.

Learning Tools

You will find a lot of learning tools to supplement your lessons in SwahiliPod101, including interactive flashcards, voice-recording options, and custom word and phrase lists. They offer a change of pace from video and audio lessons to help enhance vocabulary and pronunciation.

Who Would Benefit From SwahiliPod101?

Language-learning programs are simply not one-size-fits-all, so there are some individuals who will benefit more from subscribing to SwahiliPod101. They include those who:

  • excel at independent study
  • are highly self-motivated
  • need to supplement an advanced Swahili class or course
  • want to quickly learn some key vocabulary and phrases for work or travel purposes

Who Won’t Benefit from SwahiliPod101?

On the other hand, there are some individuals who may not reap all the advantages of SwahiliPod and include those who:

  • are on a tight budget
  • require one-on-one help with learning
  • lack motivation

SwahiliPod101 vs. Competition

Duolingo Swahili vs SwahiliPod101

Duolingo Swahili vs SwahiliPod101

Duolingo provides a unique, game-like approach to learning a new language, making it an enjoyable alternative to more comprehensive programs like SwahiliPod101. However, it offers minimal feedback and lacks in-depth language lessons. That said, we believe Duolingo Swahili can be a fun and effective supplement to other language-learning programs.

LiveLingua Free Swahili Course vs SwahiliPod101

LiveLingua offers some free online courses in Swahili courtesy of the FSI (Foreign Service Institute). However, while this course is designed to be worked on for over 30 weeks, it looks and feels like it was designed in the pre-internet age (see screenshot). That said, if “free” is your budget, this is a great option.

LiveLinuga Free Swahili Course

 

Cost of SwahiliPod101

Basic Monthly Subscription $4/month $2.80/month (using this link)

  • Access to all video and podcast lessons
  • Mobile app or computer access
  • Printable lesson transcripts

Premium Monthly Subscription $10/month  $7/month (using this link)

The Premium Subscription includes all the Basic Subscription features plus:

  • Ongoing assessments
  • Custom word and phrase lists
  • Voice-recording tool
  • Personal word bank

Premium PLUS Subscription $23/month  $16/month (using this link)

The PremiumPLUS Subscription includes all the Basic and Premium Subscription features plus:

  • Personalized learning plan
  • Quizzes
  • One-on-one access to Swahili teacher

SwahiliPod101 Review Summary

The bottom line is that SwahiliPod101 is a comprehensive learning tool for those just starting out learning to speak Swahili. In our opinion, advanced learners may prefer something more in-depth, though there aren’t currently many competitors. With available coupon codes, the price point makes a good sell for SwahiliPod101. We recommend the SwahiliPod101 Premium for most learners, and if you’re really serious PremiumPLUS is a great way to supercharge your learning.