The Best Way To Learn Igbo Language Online
Igbo is among the three official languages of Nigeria. The language is spoken by 18 million people in different regions such as Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo. Igbo-speaking tribes also reside in Delta, Rivers, and Benue. In many of these states, it is used in trading and mass media communication.
Historians believe that Igbo originated from a region 100 miles north of the river Niger and river benue confluence. This is why the language has some linguistic ties with neighboring states and tribes of Idoma, Yoruba, Bini, and Igala. It is also believed that the Igbos split from these regions around 5,000 years ago. Akwa-Orlu was likely the first Igbo region as well.
Even though Igbo is taught in schools in eastern Nigeria, English is the main language used in the country. This is why Igbo writing and reading are not as common as the English language. The language is one of the richest languages on the earth with lots of dialects and phonetic nuances. While this is amazing, it could be a problem for new learners of the Igbo language.
It would require a lot of patience and diligence to learn igbo online. However, it’s all worth it because you could become one of the 18 million Igbo speakers in the world and connect more with the beautiful culture. This guide will cover the best way to learn Igbo language online and also provide tips and where to learn Igbo online.
How Long Does It Take To Learn Igbo Language Online?
The length of time it takes to learn Igbo language online depends on several factors. Some of the factors include the level of exposure to the language, your language learning skill level, the time dedicated to practice and learning as well as the efficiency of the Igbo language tutor. For most beginners, it can take up to a month to learn the basics.
However, this would require spending up to three hours weekly to learn the basics and practice what you have learned by speaking with others. The more time you spend learning, the quicker you will learn. Learning Igbo online is a journey just like with any other language. It takes a lot of commitment. The good part is that you don't need to be perfect to start communicating in Igbo. While it may take some time to reach native-level Igbo speaking, it is possible to master the language.
The more you learn and practice, the higher your proficiency grows. In this case, proficiency is not the same as fluency. Proficiency could include a good grasp of grammar, a large Igbo vocabulary, and an advanced reading level. Fluency, however, is the smoothness or the speed of speaking Igbo. you can be proficient without being fluent yet or unable to pronounce words in Igbo properly. In the same vein, you can be fluent and not proficient. So don't beat yourself up if you are not meeting both fluency and proficiency goals at once. Just give yourself some time and you’ll be writing and reading Igbo like a professor.
How Can You Learn Igbo Online As A Beginner?
One of the oldest and most popular ways to learn Igbo is by listening to native Igbo speakers. While this method is effective, it still has many shortcomings. For one, it may be difficult for these learners to write or read Igbo language texts. The listening and observing method of teaching do not help so much when it comes to Igbo in written form.
Also, it is possible to learn Igbo in a classroom setting. This method is excellent for people who learn better with the support of a tutor. Other factors such as class size, curriculum, tutor, and learning method can affect how fast you learn. In some cases, only formal aspects of the language are learned and you may have issues with using the Igbo language in your daily conversations.
So what is the best method of learning the Igbo language? The best method is online learning and there are so many reasons why it is a better option. For one, it is easily accessible as you do not need to be present in an Igbo teaching school to learn to write and read the Igbo language. You can learn the language from the comfort of your home. This changes the entire learning experience. It is also the fastest way to master the Igbo language and become an expert speaker and writer.
These online learning methods are often created by native Igbo speakers and the training is simplified enough for people of all ages. The training is structured and focuses on all the important aspects of learning Igbo such as writing, reading, and speaking. Such training increases your proficiency and fluency at the same level in most cases.
Tips to learn Igbo online
There are a lot of things you should do while learning Igbo online. These things help you to retain all you are learning. They include listening, speaking, 80-20 rule, goal setting, and motivation.
Start speaking: it is essential to begin to speak from the first day you start learning. It helps if you have someone to speak with daily such as a parent, friend, sibling, or even your Igbo lesson tutor. This will help you remain familiar with the language as you learn.
Listen: aside from speaking Igbo as much as possible, you should also try to listen to Igbo in various forms. There are a lot of Igbo movies and music on the internet, so help yourself to a few of them and listen as much as you can. Observe and listen to other Igbo-speaking persons around you to learn a thing or two about your pronunciations.
Use the famous 80 - 20 rule: this rule simply means dedicating 80% time to the top 20% of the language. These could be phrases and sentences that are very common in Igbo languages or words you need for daily conversations. You do not need to write an Igbo essay, you just need to learn most of what you need to communicate daily. With this plan, you could be at conversational fluency in less than six months. So learn the phrases and words for eating, food items, greetings, cooking, and other house chores.
Set goals: it is important to set goals while learning Igbo online. You need to set goals of 6 months to 1 year or less to learn the language. Setting the goal will motivate you to study daily to learn a few things each time. It helps to dedicate a few days or weeks to certain phrases and topics. By the end of each month, you can review your progress to see what changes you need to make or where to work on.
Get motivated: knowing why you want to learn to speak Igbo will help motivate you to learn faster. Your reason could be to impress your relations, connect with your roots, learn a new exciting language, or for educational purposes. Whatever the reason is, put it down and refer to it whenever it gets difficult. It will refresh your purpose and you should be able to continue on the exciting journey to learning Igbo online.
Apps to learn Igbo Online
In the past, most people learned Igbo by simply listening to native Igbo speakers or watching Igbo movies. Today, things are much different and even better. You can learn Igbo online with mobile apps on your smartphone. It is convenient and can even be fun. We have found the best apps to learn Igbo online on the internet. They include:
NKENNE
NKENNE is a language app dedicated to learning African languages. It is also designed to be a community for people of african descent who want to connect to their roots. The app currently offers Igbo language lessons for people of all ages. You can learn the basics for everyday conversations and also master the art of writing in Igbo from this tool.NKENNE app Igbo lessons are divided into different levels to make it more fun and interesting. This gamification makes the app stand out. Also, you can learn other African languages when they roll out in the future on the NKENNE app.
Beginner Igbo
The Beginner Igbo app is for beginners as the name implies and it is an introduction to the Igbo language. The aim of the app is to improve your Igbo vocabulary by teaching you 12 words per day. It allows learners to repeat the words and become familiar with them in the process. The app tests your skills when you have mastered certain words.
It covers more than one thousand popular Igbo words and you can learn them within a few weeks. The app may not offer a comprehensive Igbo lesson, but it comes in handy for younger learners.
Learn Igbo for Kids
This app is also a beginner app but it is for kids and adults who want to maintain some knowledge of Igbo or learn new words. It contains 4 modules that focus on food, numbers, alphabets, and animals. There are interactive activities in each module as well as illustrated lessons to make it fun.
You can learn to pronounce the alphabet in Igbo as well as numbers. The app also contains Igbo names of food and animals in an audio-visual format to make it memorable for kids. It serves as a reminder for all the lessons in the main sections. It also has English and Igbo translations to describe what the lessons contain to help beginners follow.
Virtual Igbo Learning
This is another useful app for learning Igbo language. It is made specifically for kids and focuses on the basics of Igbo. It aims to have kids speaking conversational Igbo sentences and has different lesson modules. The lesson topics include daily activities, how to introduce yourself, body parts, colors, and other commonly used words in Igbo.
After learning, the kids can practice with the activity modules. You can learn to speak, write and read Igbo with this tool. It also has different levels of learning from beginner to advanced. The lessons include christian studies, Igbo building blocks, and seasonal lessons.
Best Igbo Language Courses Online
If you prefer to learn Igbo with online courses, there are a few options out there you can consider. Both are listed on Udemy and taught by native Igbo speakers. However, you may need to pay for the courses.
The Complete Igbo Language Course
This Igbo language course teaches all you need to know about the Igbo language to be able to speak, listen, read and write. It offers an introduction to the Igbo language starting from the Igbo alphabets to vowels, tones, and pronunciation. This course also covers salutations and greetings as well as parts of speech and nouns to help you build your Igbo vocabulary. Before the course ends, you should be able to make complex sentences in Igbo.
The course is suitable for beginners as well as intermediate learners. You can learn Igbo phrases and other important words needed for daily communication in the language. The Igbo lessons teach you to write and speak and you can also practice what you are learning. It contains exercises to help you refresh your memory at the end of each module.
Igbo Language Course - Beginner
This Igbo language course is made specifically for beginners. It introduces learners to the language structure which includes expressions in Igbo, roles of verbs, vocabularies, and other parts of a speech. The course aims to help you master the basics of Igbo before moving to more advanced training. The foundational training can help you to speak Igbo in a conversational tone.
You can also learn the Igbo alphabet and how letters are pronounced and written. The Igbo lesson contains phonetic sounds in Igbo and expressions used for the human body.
Conclusion
You can learn Igbo online fast if you use the right learning tools. One recommended tool is the NKENNE app. It is comprehensive and fun for all ages. You also have the option of learning through an Igbo language course online. Whichever the case, try to have fun while learning, and don’t beat yourself up if you don’t learn it as fast as you thought. With constant practice, you will speak and write Igbo like a native speaker. Want to learn Igbo now? Follow these steps above.