The best way to learn Yoruba language – 10 Steps to achieving the objectives

Jump to section

YSA - Best Way to Learn Yoruba

YSA - Best Way to Learn Yoruba

Step 1 learn the alphabet:

Start with the alphabet (pronunciation). Learning the alphabet is a good start to deciphering the written characters of a given language. Try to learn how to read, write and pronounce each letter. 

Step 2 master the phrases:

Memorize 100 most commonly used expressions. This consists of complete sentences (i.e. Good morning! I don’t understand! How do you say this word in …? Can you repeat please? …). The list of expressions should include what you think you will need on a daily basis. Memorize the expressions by heart!

Step 3 know your nouns:

Commit to memory  150 common nouns because most sentences contain nouns. For example: morning, evening, book, man, woman, name, language, country, day, night, mother, father, son, daughter, English, word, sentence, conversation, food, bus, train, taxi… 

Step 4 common verbs:

Memorize 20 common verbs (i.e. understand, speak, go, have, want, be, like, help, say, know, etc.). Verbs are important because they allow you to add an action, or state of being to your sentences. Make sure you also learn how to use the appropriate pronouns (I, you, she, we …) and tense (past, present, future) with each verb (i.e. I speak, you speak, she went, give me …). 

Step 5 prepositions are important:

Memorize 20 common prepositions because they convey the relation between one word and another (i.e. in front of, behind, on top of, under, before, after, with, without, about, and, between, but, for, from, in, of, or, since, to, until).

Step 6 popular adjectives:

Memorize 20 common adjectives because you will need them very often. Examples are: happy, tall, short, big, small, long, new, old (opposite of new), cheap, expensive, young, old (opposite of young), wrong, right (correct), good, bad, difficult, easy, near, delicious. 

Step 7 Learn your sentences :

Memorize 20  sentences because that’s how you can express the past tense, continuous tense, manner, place, time, or degree of doing things (i.e. today, tomorrow, yesterday, now, here, there, very, soon, yet, already, far, sometimes, always, never, really, quickly, slowly, everywhere, together, this morning). 

Step 8 practice your memorized words! 

Practice  newly acquired words by using different combinations.   It is also true to some degree when learning a new language.  It is crucial to speak the language with a native speakers like your parents, aunties , uncles or practice online so that you can continue to  learn the correct pronunciation and if you go wrong you could be corrected immediately.

Step 9 be consistent!  

One way of testing your memory is by reading and writing down the new words learned. Learning a language requires persistence. The more you practice those words, the longer you will need to refresh your memory.

Step 10 don’t be shy! 

Making mistakes is part of the learning experience and it is better to make a mistake when saying something than to not be able to say it at all. Don’t be afraid of them and embrace them as part of the learning experience.  Mistakes and awkward conversations are going to happen.

References:

https://coerll.utexas.edu/yemi/index.php

http://learn101.org/tips_learning.php

http://learn101.org/tips_learning.php

Share this post:

0 responses on "The best way to learn Yoruba language - 10 Steps to achieving the objectives"

Leave a Message

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Read More Articles