Online Resources for Kinyarwanda

Finding resources for learning Kinyarwanda (and any less commonly taught languages) can be tricky. Here’s a list of some helpful websites to get you started on your learning journey.

Overview Guides

Peace Corps Trainee Book – Peace Corps guides are helpful for new learners to find everyday language skills that will help you get around in Rwanda. It is mostly focused on learning phrases for specific activities, for example, asking for directions or buying something in a market.

ELIAS Harvard Website – The Enhanced Language Instruction for African Studies (ELIAS) project website for Kinyarwanda is a great resource from the Harvard University African Language Program. There are 10 Units related to different practical skills which each contain several resources like assessments, audios, and grammar guides.

Comprehension

Understanding Kinyarwanda – By Harry Sumner and Ézéchiel Ndaysaba (2018) begins with a great passage about the methods and theories of learning to understand languages which can be useful for anyone. Then, there is a really helpful breakdown of how to really learn what the components of each Kinyarwanda phrase mean so that you can begin to recognize patterns instead of pure memorization.

Kinyarwanda – English Dictionary – By Betty Ellen Cox, Myra Adamson, and Muriel Teusink. In the above resource “Understanding Kinyarwanda” the authors mention that a good dictionary is essential. The one is great and probably more trustworthy than automatic translator websites, which are still not great with Kinyarwanda.

Practicing

Kinyarwanda Vocabulary – This is a great website with vocabulary listed in different categories that makes practicing easier by separating lessons by desired subject.

Wikipedia (Reading Compehension) – This is one example of a Wikipedia site made for Kinyarwanda speakers, not language learners. It can be a fun and challenging activity to read through different pages, and learn new information along the way!