On December 3, 2024, students studying Swahili at the University of California, Berkeley, gathered at Swahili Spot Restaurant in Oakland for an immersive cultural and linguistic experience. The event featured a buffet of East African delicacies, including ugali, pilau, mchuzi wa kuku, samaki, and chai ya tangawizi, among others. Organized by Dr. David Kyeu, this was the second such event, following the inaugural gathering in March 2024. This particular event was made possible through 50% financial sponsorship by the Department of African American Studies at UC Berkeley and was widely promoted by both the department and the Center for African Studies. The restaurant, owned and operated by Priscilla Mkenda, a Tanzanian-Ugandan entrepreneur and long-time Bay Area resident, 
provided an authentic and vibrant setting for students to engage with Swahili culture beyond the classroom.
By participating in this event, the students fulfilled all five standards for teaching foreign languages as defined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). These standards, often referred to as the "5 Cs"—Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities— were met as follows:
1. Communication The event provided students with opportunities to use Swahili in real-life interactions. They practiced speaking, listening, reading, and writing as they ordered food, inquired about ingredients, and discussed their dining experiences with peers and native speakers. For 
instance, students asked questions like, “Mchuzi wa kuku una viungo gani?” ("What spices are in the chicken stew?") and responded to chef Priscilla in Swahili, fostering practical language use in a natural context.
2. Cultures Through the buffet, students explored East African culinary traditions, gaining insights into cultural values and practices associated with food preparation and dining etiquette. Dishes like ugali and makande were explained as staples in Swahili-speaking households, helping students understand the cultural significance of hospitality and shared meals. Dr. Kyeu also facilitated discussions about regional variations in cuisine, linking the food to broader cultural narratives.
3. Connections The event bridged classroom learning with real-world applications. Students connected their knowledge of Swahili grammar and vocabulary to everyday contexts, deepening their understanding of East Africancultures. For example, lessons on food-related vocabulary and verbs such as kupika (to cook) and kula (to eat) came alive as students identified dishes and engaged in conversations about recipes.
4. Comparisons Students compared their own cultural experiences with those of East African communities, reflecting on similarities and differences in food traditions, social norms, and language use. Many noted parallels between communal dining in East Africa and family meals in their own cultures. This exercise fostered a deeper appreciation of both Swahili and their native languages, highlighting the unique ways language shapes cultural expression.
5. Communities By participating in this event, students engaged with the local Swahili-speaking community in the Bay Area. The interaction with Priscilla Mkenda and her team offered a direct connection to East African heritage, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in language learning. Some 
students expressed interest in returning to Swahili Spot outside class activities, reinforcing their ties to the language and culture beyond academic settings.
Conclusion The Swahili Spot experience exemplified how language learning extends beyond textbooks and classrooms. By organizing such immersive events, Dr. Kyeu ensures that students not only learn Swahili but also live it. As one student remarked, “This event made me feel closer to East African culture. I now understand the importance of food in bringing people together, and I will definitely bring my family back next time they visit me on campus.” Events like these highlight the holistic approach to language education, where communication, culture, and community intertwine to create meaningful and lasting learning experiences.
Dr. Kyeu plans to continue this initiative, with future visits potentially incorporating activities like East African sports to further enrich the students' cultural and linguistic immersion.