Kedu ka i mere?

Last week, I commenced a one-on-one Igbo language-learning class with Oriaku Onwuka (Mrs Onwuka) – a true Onye nkuzi (teacher) and content contributor on the Igbo101 team. I am excited!

As the lead programmer on the Igbo101 team, I’d always wanted to learn Igbo in order to experience a unique learning approach from a beginner’s perspective.

Thanks to the overwhelming response to our last survey, work on a new version of Igbo101 is already in progress. I shared a rather skeletal photo of its concept on our Instagram page. My Onye nkuzi , agrees that a firsthand learning experience of Igbo will provide insights to make the new Igbo101 a richer Igbo language-learning resource for children and adult beginners to Igbo. Her itinerary for me includes a visit to South-Eastern Nigeria, attending of Igbo cultural events, etc. among others.

I love learning and working on the last version of the Igbo101 app opened my eyes to the diversity and beauty of Igbo language. I shared some of those in this previous post I wrote following its release. With my Onye nkuzi , I’m determined to go all the way to become fluent in conversational Igbo.

For some context, most of your feedback to the survey centred around how to:

• Sound like native Igbo speakers
• Form sentences
• Pronounce properly
• Engage in common dialogues

Those questions aren’t unusual for any learner, hence inform the basis of my current Igbo lessons. Some may argue that it’s impossible to learn Igbo at my adult age but like a child, I’m letting my curiosity and open mind get the better of me.

While it’s been challenging so far (I’ll be sharing more in the coming weeks), it’s a fun process that’ll serve to further make Igbo101 a great and dependable app for learning Igbo.

Find below a few questions that I thought some of you may have.

How would I rate my current understanding of Igbo?

Beginner. I know as much Igbo words and sentences as the current Igbo101 app offers. Other than those, I picked up (and still do) from Igbo speaking friends, neighbours and regular folks around me in Lagos.

Why am I learning Igbo?

I love Igbo language and culture for its beauty. I want to be able to converse fluently with other Igbo speakers and furthermore, enhance the learning experience with the new Igbo101 app we’re currently working on.

How long will my journey to learn Igbo last?

My initial goal is for 3 months but it may extend beyond that to meet my objective.

What is the metric for success?

By the end of my 3 months (or more) session, I should will be able to communicate wholly in Igbo with my Igbo speaking friends and families. As an add-on, I’ll introduce the new Igbo101 app in Igbo!

How will this benefit you?

Besides my goal to shape the fun experience of Igbo101, I hope to share with you resources, tips and more as I find useful on my learning journey.

Having said that, the journey to learn Igbo is already in progress. Wish me well.

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