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This module, Jinsia na Mapenzi Afrika ya Mashariki (Gender and Sexuality in East Africa), is designed to help you reach the Advanced Mid level of Swahili proficiency on the ACTFL scale.

By the end of this module, you should be able to check off the following can-do statements. After each one is a link to the activity or activities that focus on that objective.

• I can communicate effectively on a wide variety of present, past, and future events. (Navigating cultural norms / Communicating about sensitive topics)
• I can exchange general information on topics outside my fields of interest. (Navigating cultural norms / Communicating about sensitive topics / Engaging local discourses / Words bearing ideologies / Interpreting proverbs)
• I can handle a complication or unexpected turn of events. (Communicating about sensitive topics)
• I can present information about events for public or personal interest.
• I can convey my ideas and elaborate on a variety of academic topics. (Deconstructing dominant discourses / Engaging local discourses / Words bearing ideologies / Interpreting proverbs)
• I can give presentations with ease and detail on a wide variety of topics related to professional interests. (Words bearing ideologies)
• I can understand the main idea and many details of descriptions or interviews.
• I can understand oral accounts of events.
• I can understand oral directions and instructions on everyday tasks.
• I can write well organized texts for a variety of academic purposes. (Navigating cultural norms / Deconstructing dominant discourses / Words bearing ideologies)
• I can write well organized texts for a variety of general interest purposes. (Navigating cultural norms / Communicating about sensitive topics / Interpreting proverbs)
• I can follow the general ideas and some details of what is written in a variety of stories and autobiographical accounts (Engaging local discourses)
• I can read and understand general information on topics outside my field of interest. (Communicating about sensitive topics / Engaging local discourses / Words bearing ideologies / Interpreting proverbs)
• I can read and understand messages on a wide variety of past, present, and future events. (Communicating about sensitive topics)
  
• In my own and other cultures I can explain how a variety of practices within familiar and social situations are related to perspectives. (Navigating cultural norms / Communicating about sensitive topics / Deconstructing dominant discourses / Engaging local discourses / Words bearing ideologies / Interpreting proverbs)
• I can converse comfortably with East African Swahili-speakers in familiar and some unfamiliar situations and show some understanding of cultural differences. (Navigating cultural norms / Communicating about sensitive topics / Words bearing ideologies / Interpreting proverbs)
• I can demonstrate awareness of subtle differences among cultural behaviors and adjust my behavior accordingly in familiar and some unfamiliar situations. (Navigating cultural norms / Communicating about sensitive topics)

At the Advanced Mid level of proficiency, learners are also expected to be able to function at the Advanced High level much of the time. This means that, after completing this module, you may not be able to check off the following objectives, but you will be well on your way toward doing so:

• I can exchange complex information about academic and professional tasks (Engaging local discourses)
• I can exchange detailed information on topics within and beyond my fields of interest. (Deconstructing dominant discourses / Engaging local discourses / Words bearing ideologies / Interpreting proverbs)
• I can support my opinion and construct hypotheses. (Navigating cultural norms / Deconstructing dominant discourses / Engaging local discourses / Words bearing ideologies / Interpreting proverbs)
• I can orally present a viewpoint with supporting arguments on a complex issue. (Deconstructing dominant discourses / Words bearing ideologies)
• I can use appropriate presentational conventions and strategies in an oral presentation. (Communicating about sensitive topics / Words bearing ideologies)
• I can understand discussions and presentations on many concrete and abstract topics (Communicating about sensitive topics / Interpreting proverbs
• I can write using target language and culture conventions to present and elaborate a point of view. (Navigating cultural norms / Deconstructing dominant discourses / Words bearing ideologies)
• I can write using target language and culture conventions for informal purposes. (Navigating cultural norms / Communicating about sensitive topics)
• I can write using target language and culture conventions for formal purposes. (Deconstructing dominant discourses / Words bearing ideologies)
• I can often understand various viewpoints in extended oral arguments. (Deconstructing dominant discourses)
• I can understand narrative, descriptive, and informational texts of any length. (Communicating about sensitive topics / Engaging local discourses / Words bearing ideologies)
• I can read about most topics of special interest. (Engaging local discourses / Words bearing ideologies)
• I can understand discussions and presentations on abstract topics. (Deconstructing dominant discourses / Interpreting proverbs

Creating a Portfolio

As you use this module, keep copies of your work and/or take notes on what you can do that supplies evidence that you have achieved each of the can-do statements. At the end of the module, you will have a portfolio to demonstrate (to yourself, your instructor, and/or others) which can-do statements you have achieved. You might select ten to focus on in your final portfolio.