Conversational Kiswahili: solid foundation, Latin alphabet, clear pronunciation
02
Standard Kiswahili and regional variants (Kenya, Tanzania, Congo)
03
Safari, travel and tourism vocabulary for East Africa
04
Business Kiswahili for East African markets
05
Kiswahili culture and music: taarab, bongo flava and coastal heritage
06
Noun classes: the unique backbone of Bantu grammar
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about learning Kiswahili
Kiswahili is considered one of the most accessible African languages for Europeans. The alphabet is Latin, pronunciation is phonetic and regular, and the grammar, while very different, is consistent and exception-free. The main challenge is the noun class system, but our teachers introduce it gradually through real-life situations. The US Foreign Service Institute rates Kiswahili as Category 3 of 5, similar to Hebrew or Indonesian.
Kiswahili is an official or national language in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and the Comoros. It's understood as a trade language in a dozen other East African countries. As the official language of the African Union, learning Kiswahili is a linguistic investment that connects you to a continent of 1.4 billion people, the fastest-growing region on earth.
Yes, especially for East Africa, which is experiencing rapid economic growth. Nairobi (Kenya) is Africa's tech hub, often called 'Silicon Savanna.' Tanzania is attracting massive investment in tourism and natural resources. The DRC is one of the richest mining nations in the world. In all these markets, Kiswahili is the language of local business.
Absolutely, and it's one of the most common reasons our students sign up. Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Rwanda: a few hundred words of Kiswahili radically transform the experience. Locals deeply appreciate foreigners who make the effort. A safari or a Kilimanjaro trek takes on a completely different dimension when you can talk to the guides in their own language. We offer an 8-week 'Traveler's Kiswahili' module.
Tanzanian Kiswahili (especially Zanzibar's) is considered standard Kiswahili, 'purer,' less mixed with English. Urban Kenyan Kiswahili (Nairobi) is heavily influenced by English and incorporates 'Sheng' slang, a blend of Kiswahili, English and Kikuyu. For academic learning, Tanzanian is the reference; for practical communication in Kenya, 'Nairobi Kiswahili' is essential. Our teachers cover both variants.
One plan, Full access, gives you every language, live small-group classes with native teachers, interactive lessons and the community: $8.50 instead of $17 a week, $24.50 instead of $49 a month or $49.50 instead of $99 a quarter, after a 7-day free trial. The Platform plan, without live classes, costs $9.50 instead of $19 a month. Launch offer until October 31 at 11:59 pm (Paris time), with a limited number of spots: you keep the reduced price for as long as you stay subscribed.
100% online. When live classes are scheduled for this language, they take place in small groups via Google Meet; the schedule is in the platform. Interactive lessons stay accessible 24/7.
Yes. You try Targumi free for 7 days: a payment method is required, nothing is charged on the day you order, and you can cancel online before the trial ends, at no cost. One trial per account.
You can cancel anytime from your profile ("My subscription" section) with no hidden fees. Your access stays active until the end of your paid period.
“my sister has been in Nairobi for 5 years. we'd always talk in french on the phone but she missed speaking swahili with family. i took 2 months of classes and now we switch between both. changed everything about our calls”
HamidouVerified purchase
K
“3 weeks in Kenya this summer, didn't wanna just point at things saying 'this please'. people in Nairobi were SO much warmer when I tried a few words 🌍”
Kenza D.Verified purchase
AJ
“After 7 months of Kiswahili, I can present a project to an audience. I notice it every day.”
Amir JohnsonVerified purchase
BR
“Enriching Kiswahili. Free conversation sessions would be an ideal complement.”
Boubacar RouxVerified purchase
MW
“A teacher myself, Targumi's Kiswahili method inspires my own pedagogy. Their approach is a model.”
Martine WeberVerified purchase
FS
“Dentist, Kiswahili changed my life: I started my own bilingual podcast in the industry.”
Francesca SimonVerified purchase
SM
“The day I dreamed in Kiswahili, my mom cried with joy when I told her.”
Sigrid MbayeVerified purchase
SD
“The Kiswahili group WhatsApp chat is great. Vocabulary, jokes, encouragement between classes.”
Sebastien D.Verified purchase
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for 7 days, then $8.50 per week instead of $17
Launch offer until October 31 at 11:59 pm (Paris time) · Limited number of spots
Reduced price kept for as long as you stay subscribed
4 live classes a week with a native teacher: small groups of 3 to 5 people. Practise, ask your questions, improve your pronunciation, and let yourself be guided as you learn the language. No obligation, join in as you wish. There are classes for every level.
A complete learning platform: learn to build sentences, listen to audio recorded by native speakers, practise with exercises.
Every live class replay available, the ones held before you signed up and the upcoming ones, with their PDF, available to download.
Learner discussion groups, with the teachers: practise writing, chat every day.
Level certificate at the end of each learning path.
Every language included: over 100 languages, and you switch language whenever you like, at no extra cost.
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No commitment
−50%
Full access
Monthly
The easiest rhythm to keep up
7 days free, then $24.50 per month instead of $49
$0
for 7 days, then $24.50 per month instead of $49
Launch offer until October 31 at 11:59 pm (Paris time) · Limited number of spots
Reduced price kept for as long as you stay subscribed
4 live classes a week with a native teacher: small groups of 3 to 5 people. Practise, ask your questions, improve your pronunciation, and let yourself be guided as you learn the language. No obligation, join in as you wish. There are classes for every level.
A complete learning platform: learn to build sentences, listen to audio recorded by native speakers, practise with exercises.
Every live class replay available, the ones held before you signed up and the upcoming ones, with their PDF, available to download.
Learner discussion groups, with the teachers: practise writing, chat every day.
Level certificate at the end of each learning path.
Every language included: over 100 languages, and you switch language whenever you like, at no extra cost.
Payment method required, $0 today. Cancel in 1 click before the trial ends.
Most popular
−50%
Full access
Quarterly
Three months to build solid foundations
7 days free, then $49.50 per quarter instead of $99
$0
for 7 days, then $49.50 per quarter instead of $99
that is $16.50 per month
Launch offer until October 31 at 11:59 pm (Paris time) · Limited number of spots
Reduced price kept for as long as you stay subscribed
4 live classes a week with a native teacher: small groups of 3 to 5 people. Practise, ask your questions, improve your pronunciation, and let yourself be guided as you learn the language. No obligation, join in as you wish. There are classes for every level.
A complete learning platform: learn to build sentences, listen to audio recorded by native speakers, practise with exercises.
Every live class replay available, the ones held before you signed up and the upcoming ones, with their PDF, available to download.
Learner discussion groups, with the teachers: practise writing, chat every day.
Level certificate at the end of each learning path.
Every language included: over 100 languages, and you switch language whenever you like, at no extra cost.
Payment method required, $0 today. Cancel in 1 click before the trial ends.
You choose your plan and register a payment method. Nothing is charged today: $0.
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One trial per account. If you have already had a trial, your subscription starts on the day you order.
