This Somali language course is designed for both elementary and high school students whose first language is Somali. It focuses on building strong vocabulary, speaking confidence and everyday communication skills.
The course has two levels:
Level 1 (Elementary) – Simple words, short sentences, role-play and games.
Level 2 (High School) – Expanded vocabulary, full sentences, structured dialogues and short writing exercises.
Unit 1: Greetings and Introductions (Salaan iyo Isbarasho)
Objective: Students will learn how to greet, introduce themselves, and ask someone’s name politely.
Vocabulary Focus: Hello, goodbye, thank you, how are you?, I’m fine, my name is…, what’s your name?, nice to meet you.
Level 1 Activities: Greeting circle game, name-swap role-play, greeting song.
Level 2 Activities: Dialogue practice (meeting for the first time), short written self-introduction, cultural discussion on greeting elders vs friends.
Unit 2: My Family (Qoyskeyga)
Objective: Students can name family members and describe simple relationships.
Vocabulary Focus: Mother, father, sister, brother, grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, cousin, this is my…, he/she is my….
Level 1 Activities: Draw and label a family tree, “Guess who?” family game.
Level 2 Activities: Write 5–8 sentences about your family, interview a partner about their family, share cultural differences in family structure.
Unit 3: My Home and Neighborhood (Gurigeyga iyo Xaafaddayda)
Objective: Students can name rooms, objects, and nearby places, and describe where things are.
Vocabulary Focus: Bedroom, kitchen, living room, mosque, park, shop, school, near, far, next to.
Level 1 Activities: Picture labeling of rooms, “Where is it?” object-finding game.
Level 2 Activities: Describe your house in 6–10 sentences, create a simple neighborhood map and present it.
Unit 4: My Daily Life (Nolosheyda Maalinlaha ah)
Objective: Students can talk about daily routines using simple present tense.
Vocabulary Focus: Wake up, eat breakfast, go to school, study, play, pray, sleep, every day, in the morning, in the evening.
Level 1 Activities: Routine flashcard matching, act-out daily activities.
Level 2 Activities: Write a daily routine paragraph, pair-share routines and find similarities.
Unit 5: Food and Shopping (Cunto iyo Suuq)
Objective: Students can name common foods and drinks, ask for items, and talk about preferences.
Vocabulary Focus: Rice, bread, tea, milk, meat, chicken, banana, orange, sugar, price, I like…, I want…, how much?
Level 1 Activities: “What’s in the basket?” shopping game, food tasting with naming.
Level 2 Activities: Role-play shopkeeper and customer, create a short shopping list and present it.
Unit 6: School Life (Nolosha Dugsiga)
Objective: Students can talk about school subjects, people, and objects in the classroom.
Vocabulary Focus: Teacher, student, desk, chair, book, pen, math, science, Somali, art, favorite, subject.
Level 1 Activities: Classroom item scavenger hunt, “Find your subject” matching game.
Level 2 Activities: Write about your favorite subject and why, role-play a teacher–student conversation.
Unit 7: Travel and Places (Safar iyo Meelo)
Objective: Students can name means of transport and places, and ask for/give directions.
Vocabulary Focus: Bus, car, bicycle, airport, station, turn left, turn right, straight, where is…?, I’m going to….
Level 1 Activities: Transport picture match, role-play asking for a place.
Level 2 Activities: Draw a map and guide a partner, write a short travel plan to a chosen city.
Unit 8: Weather and Seasons (Cimilada iyo Xilliyada)
Objective: Students can describe weather and seasons, and express preferences.
Vocabulary Focus: Sunny, rainy, windy, cloudy, hot, cold, spring, summer, autumn, winter.
Level 1 Activities: Weather flashcard bingo, weather-song with actions.
Level 2 Activities: Write a weather report, compare weather in two seasons.
Unit 9: Health and Feelings (Caafimaadka iyo Dareenka)
Objective: Students can describe basic health problems and express emotions.
Vocabulary Focus: Headache, stomachache, fever, happy, sad, tired, angry, sick, I feel…, I need….
Level 1 Activities: Feelings charades, “Doctor and patient” role-play.
Level 2 Activities: Write advice for common illnesses, discuss ways to stay healthy.
