Dr. David Kyeu, PhD | University of California, Berkeley (original) (raw)

I primarily specialize in sociocultural theories of interaction and collaboration in foreign language acquisition, both in training and practice. I received a PhD in African Languages and Literature with a minor in Second Language Acquisition from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prior to that, I earned an MA in Swahili Studies and a B.Ed in Swahili Studies and Mathematics from Egerton University.

Currently, I teach six Swahili courses, coordinate the African language program, and serve on the Advisory Board of the Center for African Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. In the past, I also taught an academic writing course and served as the webmaster in the Department of African American Studies. Before joining Berkeley, I taught at the University of Florida, Brown University, the University of Wisconsin, Touro University, and Dadaab Refugee Camp.

My dedication to teaching and contributions to humanity have been recognized through various awards and honors. I received a Fulbright-Hays grant in 2005, a Swedish International Development Agency fellowship in 2002, and the University of Wisconsin's Academic Initiative Teaching Award in 2009. In the spring of 2023, I was nominated for the Outstanding Faculty Award at the University of California, Berkeley.

In September 2024, I served as a reviewer for the Hennel Duarti Foundation Swahili Academy, where I recommended implementing foreign language teaching standards and the ACTFL proficiency guidelines in the Swahili curriculum. I also advocated for a communicative teaching methodology and a deeper exploration of Swahili history and development. During the summer of 2023, I was a language teaching fellow at the Berkeley Language Center and reviewed Swahili tests for the Minnesota Department of Education.

I have authored two Swahili grammar textbooks and a Swahili play titled KIBALI. Currently, I am working on a book manuscript on Swahili Children's Literature, based on an empirical study conducted in Kenya. My scholarly contributions include publishing articles on Swahili studies, language acquisition, and assessment, appearing in journals such as the Journal of African Language Teachers Association (JALTA) and Russian-American Education Studies Forum. Additionally, I served as co-editor of the CHAUKIDU Journal and have been actively involved in organizing international Swahili conferences. I am also a licensed insurance producer in California.
Publications

Articles and Edited Volumes

Kyeu, D., Lupogo, I., Mataka, K. & Mtabazi, M. (2021). 'Asili, Matumizi, na Mtazamo wa Salamu ya "Shikamoo" katika Jamii ya Watumiaji wa Kiswahili' (The Origin, Use, and Perspectives of the Greeting "Shikamoo" among Speakers of Swahili). MULIKA. Institute of Swahili Research, Dar es Salaam. (Under Review).

Kyeu, D. et.al. (2017). Co-Editor, MULIKA 2017 TOLEO MAALUM, MAKALA YA KONGAMANO LA CHAUKIDU 2016. Institute of Swahili Research Dar es Salaam. ISBN 0856 – 0129.

Kyeu, D. (2015). ‘Kuwakosoa Wanafunzi Kimawasiliano’ (Correcting Students Communicatively) The Journal of African Languages Teachers Association (JALTA) Language Specific Swahili Vol. 2

Kyeu, D. (2014) ‘The Impact of Facebook Chat on Swahili Essay Writing.’ Current Studies in Comparative Education, Science, and Technology, Volume 1, p. 34-64

Kyeu, D. (2014) ‘Technology and Swahili Essay Writing.’ Russian-American Education Forum: An Online Journal. Volume: 6, Issue: 3 Dec. 1, 2014

Kyeu, D. (2012) ‘Ubisharazishwaji wa Utahini wa Kiswahili: Mfano wa TOKFL.’ Journal of African Languages Teachers Association (JALTA) Language Specific Swahili, Vol. 1

Books

Kyeu, D. (2012) Beginning Swahili Workbook and Guide: Homework Exercises, Quizzes, Final Exam and Noun Classes. Outskirts Publishing Press, Colorado, USA

Kyeu, D. (2011) Swahili Noun Classes: Your Friendly Workbook and Guide. Outskirts Publishing Press. Colorado, USA

Kyeu, D. (2010) Kibali. Outskirts Publishing Press. Colorado, USA.

Service to Community (both locally and globally)

1. Committee Member. GAPS Conferences held in Washington DC (2015), Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi (2016), University of Dar es Salaam (2017), State University of Zanzibar (2018), Kyambogo University, Uganda (2019), GAPS Online Conference (2020), Pwani University, Kenya (2021), Howard University, Washington DC (2022)

2. Gender Equity and Inclusivity. Talks, presentations, and writing on developing LGBTQ-friendly Swahili curriculum, lesson plans and content. Sample: https://www.academia.edu/12205629/Developing\_LGBTIQ\_friendly\_Swahili\_lessons

3. Availing Knowledge in African Languages. Sample: https://www.academia.edu/24210427/Swahili\_in\_the\_Life\_of\_African\_American\_People
Address: California, United States

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