Learning Igbo?
Wondering how to learn it faster?
I’m with you
There’s actually a way
Or ways to learn Igbo language faster
Even if you are a beginner
The goal here is to be conversationally fluent
Not to write a grammar book in Igbo language :)
The 5 strategies I’m about to share
I got from listening to what other language learners/experts had to say
People like:
Chris Lonsdale
Benny Lewis
Ikenna Obi - author of Fluency Made Easy
Tim Ferriss
What I learned from them
And my clients
I have condensed to 5 points
Or strategies
Learn Igbo language in 6 months : 5 strategies
1. Listen a lot. Listen to people speaking, to movies, music. Listen to friends and family members who are fluent or native Igbo speakers. Basically, get a lot of input.
2. Start speaking from day one. Speak as you learn. Get a speaking partner who can support you and keep you accountable; friend, family member, or a tutor.
3. Use the 80-20 rule. Focus 80% of your time on the 20% of the language that covers most of what you need to be conversationally fluent (this is the goal in these 6 months, conversational fluency). Choose conversation topics relevant to you; that you actually speak about on a day to day basis eg greetings, food items, eating, cooking, doing house chores etc.
4. Set goals. Time-bound goals Eg: 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, etc. Since we are using 6 months as the reference here; you would need to set at least 30 mins aside daily to actively learn. Let's say you chose 10 conversation topics. Allocate 2 weeks to each topic. Review your progress monthly and adjust as necessary. When you are not actively learning Igbo, use the time to listen passively to Igbo music, news, etc.
5. Be clear on your 'WHY' for learning to speak Igbo. Is it to connect more with your identity, a spouse, a parent, or other family members. Write these down. Your 'WHY' is what keeps you motivated, so you actually accomplish your Igbo speaking goals.
Those are the 5 strategies I gathered from my research
Now, I would like to know
Are you doing them already?
Is one or more of these strategies resonating with you?
Do you have other routines that work for you?
Send me an email and let me know: ijeoma@igbostudy.com