English

Key unit competence: To use language learnt in the context of Rwanda and East Africa.

5.1 Speaking and listening: Rwanda and East Africa

5.1.1 Speaking and listening activity

Brainstorm the position of Rwanda and its neighbours. Look at the map on page 72. Pay attention to the compass points when you say where other countries are in relation to Rwanda.

1. In relation to Rwanda, where is:
   a) Uganda situated?
   b) the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
   c) the Republic of Tanzania?
   d) the Republic of Burundi?                   
   e) the Republic of Kenya?       

2. a) With which countries does Rwanda share a common border?
    b) Do you think Rwanda’s position in East Africa provides it with any benefits?
   c) Are the citizens of Rwanda in any way different from other East Africans?
   d) What is the East African Community all about?

5.2 Language structure: Comparatives and superlatives

There are various ways to express comparison.
  •  You can use comparatives to compare two things.

     You can use superlatives to compare more than two things.
  •  When you use (as … as) to express the comparative, the adjective remains unchanged.
      For example:
     Tanzania is many times as big as Rwanda.
  •  When you use than, the adjective changes.
     For example:
    Tanzania is much bigger than Rwanda. (er – comparative)

  •  A word consisting of one syllable takes -er for the comparative and -est for the superlative.
      For example: colder, coldest.
  •   the adjective is a short word (consonant-vowel-consonant), you double the second consonant.
      For example: bigger, fatter, better.
  •  When a two-syllable word ends in y, the y changes to i+er or i+est.
      For example: happier, happiest; friendlier, friendliest.
  •  Some two-syllable words and all three-syllable words form the comparative or superlative

      by adding more and most.
      For example: more careful (comparative), most competitive (superlative).

5.2.1 Speaking and listening practice

1. Say these sentences aloud so that you become used to the sound.
   a) Tanzania is bigger than Rwanda.
   b) Rwanda is the smallest country in the region.
   c) Rwanda is more fertile than many other countries.
   d) The people of Rwanda are friendlier than many other people.
   e) The villagers are happier than the city dwellers.

5.2.2 Writing practice

1. Give the comparative forms of the adjectives in brackets.
   a) The population in Rwanda is (friendly) than in many other countries.
   b) Burundi is a little (big) than Rwanda.
   c) People are (aware) of values than in other countries.
   d) Rwanda is the (small) country in the sub-region.
   e) Rwanda has a (high) economic growth rate than other countries in the sub-region.

5.2.3 Writing practice

1. Give the superlative forms of the adjectives in brackets.
   a) Rwanda is perhaps the (friendly) country in the world.
   b) Burundi is Rwanda’s (small) neighbouring country.
   c) Rwandan people are the (aware) of the values of all their neighbours.
   d) Rwanda is not the (big) of the East-African countries.
   e) Rwanda has the (high) growth rate of all.

5.2.4 Writing practice

1. Give the correct comparative/superlative form of the adjective in brackets.
   a) Rwandans are (careful) than most to maintain peace.
   b) Are some countries (small) than others?
   c) Are some of the mountains (high) than others?
   d) Tanzania is the (big) country in our region.
   e) Kigali is the (large) city in Rwanda.
   f) Our village is the (small) in the region.

5.2.5 Writing practice

1. Give the correct comparative/superlative form of the adjective in brackets.
   a) Rwanda is economically (viable) than many other countries.
   b) Rwanda’s population is the (dense) of all the East African countries.
   c) Rwanda has (little) mineral wealth than the DRC.
   d) Rwanda grows (much) tea than many other countries.
   e) Rwanda’s tea is the (high) quality of all tea produced in East Africa.
   f) Rwanda’s government is (stable) than many others in Africa.

5.3 Vocabulary

Develop the habit of researching new words that you read in texts.
1. You will find the following words in the next text you are going to read.
2. Say the words out loud, paying attention to where the accent should be placed (note the accent marks).
3. Copy the table into your vocabulary book. Look up the meaning of the words and phrases used.
4. Use each word or group of words in a sentence so that you remember its meaning.

5.3.1 Writing practice

5.3.2 Writing practice

1. Use the correct words from the table to complete the sentences.
   a) Rwanda’s economy is performing ________.
   b) Teachers, lawyers and doctors are called ________ because they are well trained for their jobs.
   c) ________ opportunities are available for people who study hard.
   d) IT is the future and therefore IT ________ are in high demand.
   e) It is difficult to ________ the medium of instruction from one language to another.

5.3.3 Writing practice

1. Use the correct words from the table to complete the sentences.
   a) The ________ ________ of Rwanda with their gentle slopes are very beautiful.
   b) When governments of different countries work together it is called an ________ ________.
   c) There are ________ opportunities for skilled people in Rwanda.
   d) The ________ to English in the schools is not easy.
   e) It is important to take out ________ for your car, in case you have an accident.

5.3.4 Writing practice

1. Use the correct words from the table to complete the sentences.
   a) Life ________ provides for the breadwinner’s dependants if the breadwinner should die.
   b) The population of Rwanda has ________ ________.
   c) It has been said that the government has shown ________ ________ in taking the country forward.
   d) They have appointed ________ to advise them on the best procedures.
   e) Rwanda’s population _______ is the highest in the region.

5.3.5 Reading and writing activity

1. Pre-reading activity:
Discuss the questions.
  a) Rwanda is a very small country. Do you think this makes the country unimportant?
  b) What changes do you think still need to happen in Rwanda?
  c) Are you aware of many foreigners in Rwanda? Do they become part of Rwanda’s culture?
2. Read the text comparing Rwanda and its neighbours in the East African community.

Rwanda and its neighbours

Rwanda is known as ‘the land of a thousand hills’, because of its landscape of numerous rolling hills. It shares common borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west, Tanzania to the east, Uganda to the north and Burundi to the south.
Although Rwanda is small in size, it has one of the highest economic development rates in Africa. At an annual economic growth of between 6% and 8%, its growth rate is much higher than that of its neighbours.
Rwanda has one of the highest population densities in Africa. This has, however, not affected its economic development or food security. Rwanda has been able to satisfactorily feed all its people, thanks to the enviable vision of its leadership.
In 2009, Rwanda joined the East African Community, an intergovernmental organisation of five countries in the region. The countries are Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Burundi. One of the main aims of this organisation is to promote closer cooperation among member states.

Rwanda has a scarcity of natural resources. However it has still managed to attract many investors from the East African region. These are mainly in the services sectors like banking, insurance and education.
The language of communication and instruction in school has shifted from French to English. This has attracted many professionals from English-speaking East Africa to Rwanda. They have come in as teachers, doctors, agricultural officers, IT specialists and consultants in different fields. The number of foreigners in the country has increased significantly. However it has not affected the warmth of Rwandans towards their East African brothers and sisters.

3. Answer the questions on the text in writing.
a) How has Rwanda managed to satisfy the food needs of its high population despite its small size?
b) Do you think Rwanda was wise to join the East African Community? Explain your answer.
c) Explain in what ways foreign investment is likely to affect/improve the lives of Rwandans.
d) Is Rwandans’ attitude towards foreigners good for the country? Explain your answer.
e) What people do you consider to be professionals?
f) Apart from the professionals mentioned in the text, name other examples of professionals in Rwanda.
g) List the three main natural resources in Rwanda.

   Explain how each contributes to the development of the country.

5.4 Language structure: Connectors of contrast and similarity

Words that show similarity: the same, like, similar
Connectors of similarity: in the same way, likewise, equally, in a similar manner, both … and
Words that show contrast: different, unalike/not alike/unlike, dissimilar
Connectors of contrast: on the contrary, while, whereas, however, although, on the one hand/on the other hand, but, yet, though, in spite of, nevertheless
Table 1 Information on the countries of the East-African Community

 5.4.1Speaking practice

1. Say the sentences out loud to get used to the sound of the words.
a) Rwanda has three official languages, whereas Uganda has only one.
b) Rwanda has a denser population than Kenya, although it is
much smaller.
c) In spite of the fact that Rwanda has a smaller population, its population density is greater.
d) Rwanda and Uganda are dissimilar in respect of the number of official languages.
e) Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are similar. They all have English as one of their official languages.

5.4.2 Writing practice

1. Choose and write down an appropriate connector of similarity or contrast for each blank space.

a) Rwanda is the smallest country in the East African Community, ________ its economic growth is the highest.
b) Tanzania is the largest country with the most people, ________ its population density is the lowest.
c) Kenya has a high population, ________ it has fewer people than Tanzania.
d) Burundi has a smaller population than Rwanda, ________ it is a
little bigger.
e) ________ Rwanda being so densely populated, its level of literacy is relatively high.

5.4.3 Writing practice

1. Use words from the list in the Writing practice 5.4.2 to write down an appropriate connector of similarity or contrast.
a) ________ Rwanda has the densest population, it has the highest economic growth rate.
b) ________ Kenya has the highest literacy level, it doesn’t have the highest economic growth rate.
c) ________ Burundi is bigger than Rwanda, its population is smaller.
d) ________ Rwanda and Burundi are the smallest countries, they have the densest population.
e) ________ Burundi also has two official languages, neither of them are English.

5.4.4 Writing practice

1. Complete each sentence so that the connector of similarity or contrast is proved to be correct.
   a) In spite of Rwanda’s density of population, ________.
   b) Tanzania has the largest population, nevertheless ________.
   c) Burundi, likewise, ________.
   d) Rwanda has three official languages, whereas ________.
  e) Whereas Burundi is part of the East-African community, ________.

5.4.5 Writing activity

1.   Make use of the data (information) in Table 1 on page 78.

      Prepare to write three paragraphs about  Rwanda and its neighbours.

      Do the preparation thoroughly and  exchange books with a partner to evaluate the planning.
2.   Use your planning to write three paragraphs about Rwanda and its neighbours.

      Try to use connectors of  similarity and contrast in your writing.
3.   When you have finished writing, edit your work yourself to correct any errors.

      Then hand it in for formal assessment.

Homework
You have read that the level of literacy in Rwanda is 71%. That means that about seven people out of every ten should be able to read and write. Prepare a little score sheet like this:

Speak to 20 people you know in your area. Ask them whether they can read and write. You can assure them that this is confidential; their names will not be written down anywhere. If you are at boarding school, ask your fellow boarders about their families. You could also talk to the staff.

5.4.6 Reading and writing activity

1. Read the text about Rwanda and international organisations.

Rwanda and international organisations

• Rwanda belongs to several regional organisations: the East African Community, the Common Market for East and Southern African countries, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the International Conference for the Great Lakes region. It is also a member of various powerful international organisations.
• Firstly, Rwanda is a member of the United Nations Organisation. This is a body that groups together all independent countries in the world. One of the main duties of the United Nations is to keep peace. Rwanda, as part of this organisation, has significantly contributed to peace-keeping in the world. Rwanda has slightly over 5 000 soldiers and policemen, deployed under UN mandate, in different countries. This makes Rwanda the fifth peace-keeping force contributor in the world.
• Secondly, Rwanda is a member of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, as well as the World Trade Organisation. This has enabled the country to get grants. It has also accessed long-term credit to implement development programmes.

• Thirdly, Rwanda has a close cooperation with UN agencies like the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. This has enabled the country to take care of numerous refugees for neighbouring countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. Rwanda has provided them with shelter, food, medical care and education for their children.
• Likewise, Rwanda enjoys close cooperation with the World Health Organisation. This organisation has helped carry out various country-wide immunisation programmes targeting infants. The purpose is to improve the health of Rwandan children. It is also aimed at reducing infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Hepatitis and Tuberculosis.
• Rwanda’s cooperation with UNESCO, UNICEF and UDEP has assisted the country to improve its education system, as well as its environmental management and sustainability.

KEY to abbreviations and acronyms
EAC – East African Community
COMESA – Common Market for East and Southern Africa
IGAD – Intergovernmental Authority on Development
ICGLR – International Conference for the Great Lakes Region
UN – United Nations organisation
IMF – International Monetary Fund
WTO – World Trade Organisation
UNHCR – United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees
UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
UNICEF – United Nations Children’s Education Fund
UNEP – United Nations Environment Programme

What is the difference between an abbreviation and an acronym?
An abbreviation is any shortening of a word or a name.
Examples: Dr (Doctor) and e.g. (for example)
An acronym is also an abbreviation, but one that forms a pronounceable word from the first letters of the words.
Examples: COMESA, UNESCO or UNICEF

2. Answer the questions and then exchange notebooks for marking.
a) List four examples of regional organisations of which Rwanda is
a member.
b) What is the main duty of the UN?
c) In what way does Rwanda make an important contribution to the UN’s peace-keeping activities?
d) Do you think Rwanda has been wise to cooperate with UN agencies? Mention two points, negative or positive, to support your opinion.
e) What has Rwanda done in its role as member of the UNHCR?
f) Which international organisation helps Rwanda to control contagious diseases?
g) Which UN agency has helped Rwanda with the development of education?
h) What benefit has Rwanda enjoyed as a result of being a member of the IMF?

Homework
Write two paragraphs on how the leaders of the DRC and Burundi can stop refugees from their countries leaving for Rwanda. Work individually and prepare to present the texts in class.
Or
Choose ONE international organisation that works in Rwanda. Write two paragraphs describing its activities in the country. Work individually and then prepare to present the work in class.

5.4.7 Speaking and listening activity

1. Use your knowledge of transport in Rwanda to discuss these questions. While you are talking, take care to speak with clear pronunciation and correct grammar. At the same time, show tolerance of classmates’ language mistakes. Making mistakes is an important part of learning a language.

a) Name the modes of transport that you know. Which is your favourite?
b) Do you enjoy travelling?
c) Which are the fastest and the slowest forms of transport that you know of?
d) How are most goods transported in Rwanda?     

e) Are there any travel agencies in your area?
f) Have you ever travelled to distant places?

5.4.8 Reading and writing activity

1. Read the text on your own.

Transportation inside and outside Rwanda

Rwanda is a landlocked country, but it boasts an efficient transport system for people and goods.
RwandAir and Kenya Airways are the national carriers for passengers from Kigali
to the main cities in the East African region. They operate on a daily basis all year round. These two airlines serve the following routes: Kigali to Nairobi, Kigali to Dar-es-Salaam, Kigali to Kampala and Kigali to Bujumbura.
Road transport in Rwanda is also efficient. It has a good network of tarmac roads that connect the cities and all East African neighbours. This enables people and goods
to move inside as well as outside the country. Buses and commuter taxis transport people to the capital cities of neighbouring countries.
While buses and commuter taxis transport people, trucks transport goods to and
from Rwanda. They use the same routes.

This form of transport facilitates exports from Rwanda and imports from overseas countries.
Road transport in the region may be efficient but it is relatively expensive and slow. That is why the East-African Community is constructing a state-of-the-art, four-gauge railway line. They started construction work two years ago. The railway line is to run from Mombasa (the Indian Ocean coastal port in Kenya) through to Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. It will run across Kenya towards Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. It will then cross Uganda to Kagitumba, a Rwandan border post, all the way to Kigali. From Kigali, it will run westwards across Rwanda to Cyangugu, a Rwandan border post on the border with the DRC. Once completed, the railway line is expected to make all transportation faster and cheaper.

2. Answer the questions. Then exchange books to mark the answers.
a) What does it mean to be ‘landlocked’?
b) How many cities in East Africa are served by RwandAir and Kenya Airways? Name the cities.
c) Which sector of the population makes most use of air transport?
d) What makes road transport in Rwanda efficient?
e) Do buses and commuter taxis transport people within Rwanda only? Explain your answer.
f) What form of transport do the ordinary people of Rwanda make most use of? Explain your answer.
g) In what way does road transport facilitate exports and imports?
h) What transport project has the East African Community undertaken?
i) In what way will this project improve transportation within the East African countries?
j) What is your opinion of transport in Rwanda?

5.4.9 Speaking, reading and writing activity

1. Pre-reading activity:
a) What do you understand by trade?
b) Have you ever sold anything for profit?
c) Why do you think people go to the market?
d) List the most common trade items to be found in your local market.
2. Read the text.

Rwanda’s local trade

While farmers in the rural areas grow a variety of food crops, pastoralists keep different animals.

Pastoralists in the rural areas keep animals like cows, goats and sheep.
The cows are kept for milk. The goats are slaughtered
for meat to be sold in the neighbourhood or to be taken to the market.

Commercial farmers keep pigs and chickens. The pigs are slaughtered and sold locally as pork. However, Rwanda has a population of Muslims for whom pork is taboo.

Pork is also made into sausages that are very popular.
Chickens are raised for eggs and meat. Chicken is popular among all Rwandans.
Shopkeepers are traders. They stock and sell things needed in the home such as sugar, salt and cooking fat.
Many items are sold at the local markets. These include cereals, fruits, vegetables, beans, dried fish, fresh fish, beef, goat and chicken. People even sell used clothes and shoes.

3. Now form groups of four to discuss these questions.
a) What are the different types of local trade in Rwanda?
b) Agriculture is the mainstay/backbone of Rwanda’s economy. Mention at least four food crops and four cash crops in Rwanda.
c) Give examples of at least three types of commercial farming in Rwanda.
d) Why do you think traders at the market sell used clothes and used shoes, when new ones are available in shops?
4. Write 10 lines to describe how your family or neighbours engage in local trade in your area. Include your opinion of this type of informal trade. Exchange your notebooks for peer marking.

5.4.10 Listening and speaking activity

Pre-listening activity:
1. Answer these questions.
a) What do you understand by trade?
b) Name the items of trade common on the Rwandan market.
c) Give examples of countries that trade with Rwanda.
d) Which items does Rwanda sell to overseas countries?

2. Listen carefully to the text your teacher will read to you.
3. Now discuss these questions. Write down the important points and report back to the class.
a) List Rwanda’s international trade partners.
b) Minerals are important sources of revenue for Rwanda. Give two examples of minerals mined in Rwanda.
c) Why does Rwanda export unprocessed coffee?
d) Rwanda’s imports far exceed its exports. Why is this so?
e) Is there anything Rwanda can do to increase its exports?
f) What are the main commodities imported from:
   • COMESA and the East African Community?                
   • Asia?

5.4.11 Reading and writing activity

1. Read the information carefully.

2. Use the figures to compile two tables showing Rwanda’s imports and exports over three years.
3. Write five sentences suggesting what Rwanda should do to improve the balance between imports and exports.
4. Exchange books and edit each other’s work. Choose the best sentences to read to the class.

Checklist of learning
In this unit you learnt to:

• describe Rwanda’s position relative to its neighbours
• compare and contrast Rwanda to its neighbours
• describe goods sold at a local market
• write about Rwanda’s international trade.

5.5 Unit assessment

This assessment can be used for formative or summative assessment or
for revision.
1. Use the comparative form in brackets to complete the sentence correctly.
a) Rwanda is ________ in size than Burundi. (small/big)
b) Tanzania has a ________ population than Kenya. (large/small)
c) Kenya’s surface area is ________ than that of Uganda. (extensive)
d) Rwanda’s population in the west and south is ________ than in the east. (high/low)
e) Tanzania’s coastline is ________ than that of Kenya. (long/short)
f) RwandAir has ________ aircrafts than Uganda Airlines.
(many/few)
g) Burundi has ________ ethnic groups than Uganda. (many/few)
h) Rwanda imports ________ products from Kenya than it imports from Tanzania. (many/few)
i) Burundi’s economic growth is ________ than that of Rwanda. (low/high)
j) Rwanda’s population density is ________ than that of Burundi.(high/low)        [10]

2. Insert the most appropriate connector in the blank space to complete the sentence correctly.                     

a) ________ Kenya has more than 40 ethnic groups, Rwanda has only one.
b) ________ agriculturalists grow food crops, pastoralists keep animals.
c) Pork is a delicacy to some Rwandans, ________ Muslims do not eat it.
d) People buy used shoes in the market ________ there are new shoes in shops.       

e) ________ Rwandans in the western province produce a lot of Irish potatoes, they are still very expensive.
f) ________ agriculturalists and livestock-keeping are beneficial to Rwandan farmers.
g) ________ Kenya which processes its agriculture produce, Rwanda sells its agriculture produce unprocessed.
h) Rwanda has the highest population density in Africa, ________
it is able to satisfactorily feed its entire population.
i) ________ Rwanda’s farming sector is quite strong; it needs to create more jobs to supplement people’s income.
j) ________ the high density of its population, Rwanda is able to provide food for all its people.      [10]

3. a) Write two paragraphs. Discuss Rwanda’s ability to feed its population in spite of its density. [10]b) Write two paragraphs. Discuss the ways in which the balance between imports and exports can be improved and jobs created.                                                                                               [10]                                                                                                                        Total marks: 40