Mwanza, a Tanzanian port city located on Lake Victoria, is the second largest city in Tanzania and the home of this year’s Swahili FLTA, Grace Jackson. Born and raised in the province of Shinyanga, Grace moved to Mwanza following the completion of her education. Grace’s family consists of her husband and her 3 children, Ariana (age 8), and twins Aviel and Abiel (age 5). While the cold weather of South Bend has been a large adjustment, regular phone calls home to see her family help inject the dark winter evenings with brightness and warmth.
Born and raised in Shinyanga, Grace's journey into language education began early in her life. She attended Maganzo Primary School, where Swahili served as the primary medium of instruction. In third grade, English was introduced as a subject and was required by all students. This was Grace’s first introduction to the English language and helped encourage her curiosity in the subject from a young age.
Leaving Primary school and transitioning to Kagunguli Girls Secondary School i marked a pivotal moment, as English evolved from a subject to the main medium of instruction–meaning all classes were taught in English. Despite the challenges posed by the linguistic transition, Grace persevered, recognizing the inherent value of mastering English in a society where it is synonymous with prestige. This dedication led to Grace enrolling in Kasulu Teachers College, where she earned her diploma. Following graduation, Grace taught English at public schools. As her career evolved, her commitment to professional growth led her to pursue a graduate degree in linguistics at St. Augustine University of Tanzania. As Grace continued to build her academic acumen, her husband brought the Fulbright scholarships to her attention; visiting the US for the first time was an offer she couldn’t refuse.
While learning languages can be difficult, Grace was a firm advocate that everyone should work towards bilingualism. Through language education, individuals transcend linguistic barriers, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures and perspectives. Much like how different art mediums communicate differently, tapping into new languages can help you communicate differently and foster relationships that were previously impossible to make.
Grace’s experiences at Notre Dame have not only helped her improve her English skills, teaching pedagogies, and spread the Swahili language, but have served as an invaluable resource to help her assess her role as a member of the Tanzanian English Language Teachers Association (TELTA). Through TELTA, she collaborates with other English speakers in her region to brainstorm new ways to approach English education and encourage children to engage with it. Grace’s involvement with TELTA has helped her grow into a figure that the community looks up to, and her time at Notre Dame has been extremely effective in cultivating skills that will help her thrive in this role.
About the CSLC
The Center for the Study of Languages and Cultures (CSLC) aims to support language learners at ND by facilitating meaningful experiences with linguistic acquisition and exchange - both in our campus community and abroad. We believe that access to the world's languages and cultures allows us to seek out new perspectives, to value the diversity of the world's cultures, and to embody global citizenship.