Peace Corps Learning Chichewa

The Peace Corps Learning Chichewa is a free language learning resource developed by the United States Peace Corps. Originally created for volunteers preparing for service in Chichewa-speaking regions, this course provides a practical introduction to the Chichewa language through structured lessons, dialogues, and exercises grounded in real-world communication.

Chichewa is spoken in communities across Africa, and this course is designed to help English speakers build the foundational skills needed for everyday conversation. Whether you are preparing for travel, volunteer work, or professional engagement, the course covers essential vocabulary, grammar patterns, and cultural context to help you communicate effectively.

The materials follow a communicative approach, emphasizing practical phrases and situational dialogues rather than abstract grammar rules. Lessons are structured for self-paced study and can be used independently or alongside a language partner or tutor.

What’s Included

This course includes 17 audio files. The audio recordings are essential for developing proper pronunciation and listening comprehension — use them alongside the written materials for the best results.

How to Use This Course

Begin with the earliest lessons to establish a foundation in pronunciation and basic greetings. Work through the dialogues by first reading through the English translations, then practicing the Chichewa phrases aloud. If audio recordings are available, listen to each segment multiple times before attempting to repeat it. As you progress, try covering the English column and producing the Chichewa from memory.

The audio files are designed to be used actively — pause after each phrase, repeat it aloud, and check your pronunciation against the recording. Regular practice with the audio will build both your speaking confidence and your ability to understand native speakers.

Course Materials

PDFs

• ED206157 (16.6 MB)
• ED206158 (20.9 MB)
• ED206159 (5.2 MB)
• MW Chichewa Language Lessons (1.1 MB)

Audio Files

#	Audio
01	MW Chichewa Dialogue 1 (1.4 MB)
02	MW Chichewa Dialogue 2 (646 KB)
03	MW Chichewa Dialogue 3 (818 KB)
04	MW Chichewa Introduction (923 KB)
05	MW Chichewa Lesson 1 (2.8 MB)
06	MW Chichewa Lesson 2 (3.6 MB)
07	MW Chichewa Lesson 3 (2.2 MB)
08	MW Chichewa Lesson 4 (2.4 MB)
09	MW Chichewa Lesson 5 (208 KB)
10	MW Chichewa Lesson 6 (2.4 MB)
11	MW Chichewa Lesson 7 (1.3 MB)
12	MW Chichewa Lesson 8 (1.7 MB)
13	MW Chichewa Lesson 9 (1.1 MB)
14	MW Chichewa Lesson 10 (3.7 MB)
15	MW Chichewa Lesson 11 (1.5 MB)
16	MW Chichewa Lesson 12 (2.0 MB)
17	MW Chichewa Lesson 13 (953 KB)