The answers to all exercises are on the solutions page.

If you are new to this site and want to get started learning Shona, click on 'lesson 1'.

News 06/04/2013: New resources and a novel!

I have added a couple of new resources...

• UCLA Language Materials Project - Shona page
• MunaHacha-Maive-Nei-Masimba-Musodza - A Science Fiction novel written in Shona. I must say that I am glad to see Shona literature tackling a modern subject. Too often there is an assumption that native African languages can only be used to tackle traditional (rural) ways of life and animist/spiritual themes.

Many years have passed since the last update. I continue to receive emails every week from people keen to learn Shona, which is encouraging. Thanks especially to those who sent me messages of support.
I have now been running this site for almost 15 years as a free resource. I intend to keep it free, however for the first time I have added a couple of advertisements to the site in order to help defray the hosting costs. Please note that these are NOT generic google ads - they are ads for two specific services which I personally use and can vouch for.

• JustCloud.com - after a long study I chose this as the best solution to back up my own and my family's laptops online. For file-sharing I use Dropbox but for backups JustCloud is easier, cleverer and for most scenarios, cheaper.
• 34sp.com - UK-based webhosting - the people who host this website!Rock-solid hosting protected by the UK's rigorous Data-Protection laws and backed by excellent support. I have used these guys for over 10 years and never had cause to complain. If you end up purchasing from them, please mention this website "shonalanguage.info" in the "referral" field.

• African Commmunity School - in Buckinghamshire, UK. They offer Shona lessons in their curriculum.

I have updated the resources pages on the site after a long delay: here some new things. Unfortunately no new lessons yet although one reader has offered to contribute a fifth lesson. Many thanks to everyone who has offered suggestions and encouragement - please keep them coming!

• Nyarai.com - interactive Shona vocabulary tutor
• SOAS - Shona evening class in London, UK

�Learning Shona� by Dambudzho Ruzhowa has been in print for several years. However I have only now listed it on this site because it has become readily available outside of Zimabwe. See my resources page for more details.

News 2/8/2000: New lesson added

I have finally added the fourth lesson I have been preparing for a while. I have also added some extra vocabulary to Lesson 3. The new lesson deals with possessives, and introduces noun concords. Go to 'lesson 4'.

News 29/7/2000: New Shona Book available

Many of you will have had trouble getting hold of copies of the books recommended on my resources page - well worry no more! A new introductory Shona book has just been published and is available on sites such as amazon.com, bol.com etc. Author Aquilina Mawadza describes it:

The Shona Dictionary and Phrasebook is a compact guide that provides the means for basic communication in Shona. It features a two way dictionary of over 1400 words and a phrasebook with all the essential phrases for the visitor and/or beginning student covering topics such as introductions, useful expressions, transportation, accomodation, communication e.g. Internet, fax, food and drink, sightseeing, bank, health, time, weather. A Pronunciation Guide and Basic Grammar also complement the text.

News 5/7/2000: Shona 'verb conjugator'

A free online tool to conjugate and translate many Shona verbs. Click here for more details.

News 3/7/2000: Ndau primer available

Ndau is a language related to Shona which is spoken by perhaps 750,000 people in Mozambique. Thanks to a kind visitor to this site, I have a fairly comprehensive primer for this language - the only trouble is: it's in Portuguese! Click here for more details.

Please email me at: cameron_smith@mail.com if you have any comments, suggestions, or complaints about this page.