The use of an African language as language of instruction at university level : the example of Kiswahili department at the University of Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania

ABSTRACT The issue of language of instruction in Tanzania has had a front seat for more than thirty years now. It seems the debate is generating more heat than light (Rubagumya, 2003; Kadeghe, 2003). Most of the research reports and publications show that English can no longer serve as the language of instruction at post primary level. Some researchers, basing on their findings, suggest that Kiswahili which is a well known language to almost every Tanzanian should replace English in order to solve the problem. However, some people disagree with this kind of solution with arguments like; Kiswahili cannot sustainably function at higher levels of education since it lacks scientific and technological terms, books, teachers, and that the language cannot compete with globalization. This study shows the positive use of Kiswahili as the medium of instruction at the university level, specifically in the Kiswahili Department at the University of Dar-es-Salaam. Kiswahili has been used successfully as the medium of instruction in the Kiswahili Department from 1970 up to the present. The study identifies the reasons behind the establishment of the Kiswahili Department in 1970 and strategies that were used to get teaching and learning resources i.e. teachers, written materials, and technical terms. This study, however, reveals that Kiswahili, which is a well known language to students and their teachers, makes students understand well the concepts entailed in discussions, lectures, and seminars