How to learn Igbo language faster.
Ndeewo.
I am going to share what 2 of my students did to help them learn Igbo faster.
I’ll summarise first, then go into details.
To learn Igbo faster, they recommend:
Get a speaking partner. Speak to them regularly (can be over the phone).
Have clear written and time-bound goals.
Listen to Igbo recordings, audio, podcasts etc. while doing other chores like cooking, driving.
Do not be afraid to make mistakes in pronunciation.
Use Igbo books, YouTube videos, and other social media (that you are normally on).
Take note of new words, write them down.
Teach those that don’t speak as much as you eg: children.
How she learnt Igbo in 1 year (Kodi’s story)
You can hear her testimony when she was 3 months into her learning.
She heard Igbo in her house while growing up, but did not speak.
So she wasn’t starting from scratch.
How long did it take her to learn Igbo?
One year
She joined the Igbo Speakers Bootcamp for 3 months, and a once to twice monthly live session for 9 months thereafter.
How many hours of Igbo learning per week?
She did at least 3 hrs of Igbo learning per week (lessons inclusive). She listened to podcasts, read Igbo books, and went over her Bootcamp lesson recordings. She wrote conversation scripts, and translated stories for homework.
What was her speaking goal?
She dedicated a year to learn to speak Igbo so she could communicate with her spouse in Igbo, and also teach her children.
What is her advice for Igbo learners?
Make a plan. Write your goals. Make time within the week to learn Igbo eg: while driving or doing chores, you can listen to Igbo audio (music, podcast etc.)
One other major thing that helped is that she had a speaking partner in her family, aside from her spouse. She spoke with him regularly.
She also replied my emails in Igbo, and recommends that you do this if you are learning Igbo.
How she found the time to learn Igbo
She listened to Igbo music, podcasts and recordings (eg: audio lessons) while driving, cooking, and during lunch time at work. Ọjị abịala is one of the Igbo podcasts.
She uses her childre’s nap time and also time at the gym to listen to Igbo audio.
When getting her children ready, she spoke Igbo to them.
At the children’s bedtime, she translated their stories in Igbo. Do not feel overwhelmed by this. You start by doing this in Engligbo: say the words you know in Igbo, and the rest in English.
When she was on social media, eg: on YouTube, she went to Igbo channels like Igbostudy, Learnigbonow etc.
When she watched TV, she watched Igbo movies.
The Igbo resources she used
Igbo speakers Bootcamp : video, audio lessons and PDF.
Igbostudy YouTube channel
Ka anyị sụọ Igbo – an Igbo book
Mmiri a zoro nwayọ nwayọ - an Igbo poem. Good for intermediate learners
Igbo dictionary for children by Yvonne Mbanefo
Mbido Igbo 2 – an Igbo book from Nigeria
Igbo maka junịọ sekọndịrị 2 – an Igbo book from Nigeria
Nhazi asụsụ Igbo – an Igbo book, also for junior secondary school
Ekpere na abụ - an Igbo hymn and prayer book
Otu nne na-amụ.... a book by Ogbonnaya Okoro (for intermediate and advanced learners)
‘Gịnị ka ọsa na-eme’, and ‘Osita osinri’ – books by Yvonne Mbanefo
Igbo YouTube channels eg: Igbostudy, Igbovillagesquare, Learn Igbo with Ugbo Oyibo, Ije the world traveler, Bino and Fino, Akwụkwọ LLC, Mmụta okwu Igbo, Learn Igbo Now, Learn Igbo animations (Aha m efula)
Ezinaulo.com website
How Chidinma learnt Igbo
She was a student. She was studying something else at school while learning Igbo in the Bootcamp.
She heard Igbo from her mum while growing up, but was not speaking.
Her goals were to have conversations in Igbo with her family.
Read her testimony.
To learn Igbo more effectively, she recommends:
Speaking with people on the phone in Igbo.
Not to let pronunciation worries stop you from speaking.
Translating stories or articles that interest you from English to Igbo.
To take note of new Igbo words you learn and their correct spelling.
There you have it. I have shared what my students did, and are doing.
How are you learning Igbo?
What’s helping?
If you would like to discuss joining the Bootcamp, book a free call here.