Chinyanja Basic Course

Peace Corps, 1965. — xxii, 351 p.Chinyanja, the principal language of Malawi, is spoken not only in that country but by large numbers of Malawians in neighboring countries. This book is intended to give the student a start in the language, both by providing him with materials for study, and by guiding him in taking over more and more of the responsibilities connected with language learning. The goal is ability to speak a little Chinyanja well, and ability to learn as much more of it as is needed for individual work situations in Malawi.Perhaps one of the stronger aspects of this course, particularly in comparison with other courses in the same series, is its emphasis on using the dialogue materials, outside of the classroom as well as in it, and on the autobiographical, sections, in which the students are expected to supply words that are of personal and/or local significance to them. The assumption is that students learn most quickly, and with fewest repetitions, when the meanings of linguistic forms are most vivid to them while they are practicing them.