Program in African Languages and Literatures

The Program in African Languages and Literatures (PALL) is geographically representative and comprehensive at all levels of language instruction. The African language courses include course offerings in African linguistics, literature, folklore and cultures.

For all the levels, the language instruction uses a learner-oriented competency-based approach. The goal is to assist the learners achieve proficiency on four language skills: listening-comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. Throughout the various levels of instruction, students are introduced to authentic literary and folkloric texts and other audio-visual materials that expose them to the cultural contexts of these languages.

PALL consists of two tracks:

The regular classroom track, consisting of courses housed in the Department of African, Middle Eastern, and South Asian Languages and Literatures: Arabic, Swahili, Yoruba, and Twi.

The tutorial track, through which students can formally request a tutor to work with under the guidance of Ousseina Alidou (CAS Director, PALL Director) and a trained linguist.

Materials are available for instruction in:

• West African Languages: Akan/Twi, Bambara/Mandinka, Fulfulde/Pulaar, Hausa, Igbo, Krio, Mende, Wolof

• East and Central African Languages: Amharic, Kikuyu, Kiganda, Oromo, Chinyarwanda, Chirundi, Tigrinia, Lingala

• Southern African Languages Nyanja/Chewa/ Chichewa, Shona, Xhosa

Classroom work in both tracks is supplemented by web-based “Digiclass” materials or by conventional audio-visual materials available at the advanced language laboratory of the Language Institute (116 College Avenue, College Avenue Campus). Some classes are also available through distance learning at the Newark and Camden campuses.

All African language courses can fulfill Rutgers University and FLAS language requirements.

If you are interested in tutorial African language study please inquire with Ousseina Alidou.

For further information please contact:

Ousseina Alidou Director, Center for African Studies 54 Joyce Kilmer Avenue Lucy Stone Hall Room A-342, Livingston Campus Piscataway, NJ 08854 Tel: 732-445-6639/ Fax: 732-445-6637 oalidou@rci.rutgers.edu

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