Maa (Maasai)

Tips for Speaking Practice with Your Mentor

Welcome to the “Tips on Speaking with a Mentor Section” of this Maa learning Pressbook. I will list some of the strategies my mentor and I have employed and found helpful in our language learning engagement. I will organize them in RED underneath my four language learning goals for this semester and in the “Assessments – Summative” section of the table below. This table lists my objectives, assessments, and activities documented in my ISP, so I will connect these strategies with the activities listed in my ISP in the most direct way.

 

Before, I get to the specifics of my own language learning, here are some transferable strategies for the mentor/mentee conversational relationship:

  • come to mentorship time prepared with a plan
  • come ready to try and try and try again
  • come ready to learn
  • come ready to laugh at yourself
  • maintain a jovial, light, and peaceful energy with regard to the time you spend together
  • come prepared to make connections in your brain among language structures
  • do not be afraid to ask questions
  • do not be afraid to be vulnerable
  • remember that you are a student – this is your time to not have to be the expert!
  • come ready to be mentally fluid and open to being surprised by the language
  • come grateful for the change to learn
  • come grateful for your mentors time, care, and attention
  • always maintain a relationship of trust, laughter, and authenticity.
  • HAVE FUN!!!

Okay – now I will pivot to describe my specific strategies as they align with my ISP goals and objectives.

By the end of one semester of language study, I hope to be able to accomplish the following (and I will use these goals to organize the strategies below):

  1. Converse comfortably and appropriately in basic introductory Maa in home/private/boma settings and market/public settings. (This includes greetings, numbers, phrases, idiomatic expressions, asking for directions, apologizing etc.).
  2. Converse comfortably and appropriately in basic introductory Maa about topics related to menstruation, women’s health, blood, NGO work etc.
  3. Converse comfortably and appropriately in basic introductory Maa about peoples, places, and things.
  4. (Hopeful Goal): Read and write introductory Maa (as needed and applicable to my research)
Objective Assessment(s) –

Formative

 Assessment(s) –Summative
1.     Use numbers in Maa. Flashcards, number drills, checklists, Quizlets, on-going check-ins with mentor
  • role-plays, scenarios, and conversations when imagining navigating public and private spaces
  • practice formulaic examples of where the vocabulary would be used in context (market, home, walking on pathways etc.). 
  • practice simple conversations using (A,B,A,B) formulas
  • practice more advanced and creative, less formulaic use of new vocabulary (especially after the conversational ABAB formula has been introduced, this is easier to pivot to)
  • imagining real-world scenarios helps prepare the student for on the ground learning
  • practice with vocabulary that you have just refreshed so the student feels capable of speaking with confidence 

 

 
3.     Understand the alphabet and sounds used in Maa/ how to read basic Maa sounds when they   are written phonetically. (I will advance to simple sentences in later weeks)

 

 Flashcards, letters and sounds drills, , , alphabet and sound checklists, quizlets, start reading the The Maasai Language and A Maasai Grammar for Beginners, on-going check-ins with mentor
  • role-plays, scenarios, and conversations when imagining navigating public and private spaces
  • practice formulaic examples of where the vocabulary would be used in context (market, home, walking on pathways etc.). 
  • practice simple conversations using (A,B,A,B) formulas
  • practice more advanced and creative, less formulaic use of new vocabulary (especially after the conversational ABAB formula has been introduced, this is easier to pivot to)
  • imagining real-world scenarios helps prepare the student for on the ground learning
  • practice with vocabulary that you have just refreshed so the student feels capable of speaking with confidence 
4.     effectively greet people and respond to the greetings of people in Maa.

a.     E.g., Hello (response) [both formally and informally]

 Flashcards, vocabulary drills, checklists, Quizlets, on-going check-ins with mentor, practicing in front of the mirror

 
  • role-plays, scenarios, and conversations when imagining navigating public and private spaces
  • practice formulaic examples of where the vocabulary would be used in context (market, home, walking on pathways etc.). 
  • practice simple conversations using (A,B,A,B) formulas
  • practice more advanced and creative, less formulaic use of new vocabulary (especially after the conversational ABAB formula has been introduced, this is easier to pivot to)
  • imagining real-world scenarios helps prepare the student for on the ground learning
  • practice with vocabulary that you have just refreshed so the student feels capable of speaking with confidence 
5.     start learning basic grammatical structures, targeted vocabulary (marketplace items, homestead items, animals, people, places), and pronunciation for Maa.

 

 Vocabulary drills, checklists, organizing info by category then check box, flashcards, quizlets, continue reading the The Maasai Language and A Maasai Grammar for Beginners, on-going check-ins with mentor
  • role-plays, scenarios, and conversations when imagining navigating public and private spaces
  • practice formulaic examples of where the vocabulary would be used in context (market, home, walking on pathways etc.). 
  • practice simple conversations using (A,B,A,B) formulas
  • practice more advanced and creative, less formulaic use of new vocabulary (especially after the conversational ABAB formula has been introduced, this is easier to pivot to)
  • imagining real-world scenarios helps prepare the student for on the ground learning
  • practice with vocabulary that you have just refreshed so the student feels capable of speaking with confidence 
6.     effectively bid people farewell and respond to farewells in Maa.

a.     E.g., Goodbye (response) [ both formally and informally]

 

 Flashcards, vocabulary drills, checklists, Quizlets, on-going check-ins with mentor, practicing in front of the mirror

 
  • role-plays, scenarios, and conversations when imagining navigating public and private spaces
  • practice formulaic examples of where the vocabulary would be used in context (market, home, walking on pathways etc.). 
  • practice simple conversations using (A,B,A,B) formulas
  • practice more advanced and creative, less formulaic use of new vocabulary (especially after the conversational ABAB formula has been introduced, this is easier to pivot to)
  • imagining real-world scenarios helps prepare the student for on the ground learning
  • practice with vocabulary that you have just refreshed so the student feels capable of speaking with confidence 
7.     continue learning basic grammatical structures, targeted vocabulary (marketplace items, homestead items, animals, people, places), and pronunciation for Maa.

 

 Vocabulary drills, checklists, organizing info by category then check box, flashcards, quizlets, continue reading the The Maasai Language and A Maasai Grammar for Beginners, on-going check-ins with mentor
  • role-plays, scenarios, and conversations when imagining navigating public and private spaces
  • practice formulaic examples of where the vocabulary would be used in context (market, home, walking on pathways etc.). 
  • practice simple conversations using (A,B,A,B) formulas
  • practice more advanced and creative, less formulaic use of new vocabulary (especially after the conversational ABAB formula has been introduced, this is easier to pivot to)
  • imagining real-world scenarios helps prepare the student for on the ground learning
  • practice with vocabulary that you have just refreshed so the student feels capable of speaking with confidence 
8.     ask for simple directions in Maa.

 

 Flashcards, vocabulary drills, vocab checklists, Quizlets, on-going check-ins with mentor, practicing in front of the mirror

 
  • role-plays, scenarios, and conversations when imagining navigating public and private spaces
  • practice formulaic examples of where the vocabulary would be used in context (market, home, walking on pathways etc.). 
  • practice simple conversations using (A,B,A,B) formulas
  • practice more advanced and creative, less formulaic use of new vocabulary (especially after the conversational ABAB formula has been introduced, this is easier to pivot to)
  • imagining real-world scenarios helps prepare the student for on the ground learning
  • practice with vocabulary that you have just refreshed so the student feels capable of speaking with confidence 
9.     talk about the weather in Maa. Flashcards, vocabulary drills, checklists, Quizlets, on-going check-ins with mentor, practicing in front of the mirror

 
  • role-plays, scenarios, and conversations when imagining navigating public and private spaces
  • practice formulaic examples of where the vocabulary would be used in context (market, home, walking on pathways etc.). 
  • practice simple conversations using (A,B,A,B) formulas
  • practice more advanced and creative, less formulaic use of new vocabulary (especially after the conversational ABAB formula has been introduced, this is easier to pivot to)
  • imagining real-world scenarios helps prepare the student for on the ground learning
  • practice with vocabulary that you have just refreshed so the student feels capable of speaking with confidence 
 

10.  apologize in Maa.

 Flashcards, vocabulary drills, checklists, Quizlets, on-going check-ins with mentor, practicing in front of the mirror

 
  • role-plays, scenarios, and conversations when imagining navigating public and private spaces
  • practice formulaic examples of where the vocabulary would be used in context (market, home, walking on pathways etc.). 
  • practice simple conversations using (A,B,A,B) formulas
  • practice more advanced and creative, less formulaic use of new vocabulary (especially after the conversational ABAB formula has been introduced, this is easier to pivot to)
  • imagining real-world scenarios helps prepare the student for on the ground learning
  • practice with vocabulary that you have just refreshed so the student feels capable of speaking with confidence 
11.  ask basic questions about how a person is doing, how their family is, how their life is etc.

 

 Flashcards, vocabulary drills, checklists, Quizlets, on-going check-ins with mentor, practicing in front of the mirror

 
  • role-plays, scenarios, and conversations when imagining navigating public and private spaces
  • practice formulaic examples of where the vocabulary would be used in context (market, home, walking on pathways etc.). 
  • practice simple conversations using (A,B,A,B) formulas
  • practice more advanced and creative, less formulaic use of new vocabulary (especially after the conversational ABAB formula has been introduced, this is easier to pivot to)
  • imagining real-world scenarios helps prepare the student for on the ground learning
  • practice with vocabulary that you have just refreshed so the student feels capable of speaking with confidence 
12.  navigate market spaces, asking for various types of food, clothes, shoes etc. in Maa.

 

 Flashcards, vocabulary drills, checklists, Quizlets, on-going check-ins with mentor, practicing in front of the mirror

 
  • role-plays, scenarios, and conversations when imagining navigating public and private spaces
  • practice formulaic examples of where the vocabulary would be used in context (market, home, walking on pathways etc.). 
  • practice simple conversations using (A,B,A,B) formulas
  • practice more advanced and creative, less formulaic use of new vocabulary (especially after the conversational ABAB formula has been introduced, this is easier to pivot to)
  • imagining real-world scenarios helps prepare the student for on the ground learning
  • practice with vocabulary that you have just refreshed so the student feels capable of speaking with confidence 
13.  navigate homestead spaces, discussing chai, food, animals, homes

 

 Flashcards, vocabulary drills, checklists, Quizlets, on-going check-ins with mentor, practicing in front of the mirror

 
  • role-plays, scenarios, and conversations when imagining navigating public and private spaces
  • practice formulaic examples of where the vocabulary would be used in context (market, home, walking on pathways etc.). 
  • practice simple conversations using (A,B,A,B) formulas
  • practice more advanced and creative, less formulaic use of new vocabulary (especially after the conversational ABAB formula has been introduced, this is easier to pivot to)
  • imagining real-world scenarios helps prepare the student for on the ground learning
  • practice with vocabulary that you have just refreshed so the student feels capable of speaking with confidence 
14.  continue learning basic grammatical structures, targeted vocabulary (menstruation, blood, women’s reproductive health, NGOs etc.), and pronunciation for Maa.

 

 Vocabulary drills, checklists, organizing info by category then check box, flashcards, quizlets, continue reading the The Maasai Language and A Maasai Grammar for Beginners, on-going check-ins with mentor
  • role-plays, scenarios, and conversations when imagining navigating public and private spaces
  • practice formulaic examples of where the vocabulary would be used in context (market, home, walking on pathways etc.). 
  • practice simple conversations using (A,B,A,B) formulas
  • practice more advanced and creative, less formulaic use of new vocabulary (especially after the conversational ABAB formula has been introduced, this is easier to pivot to)
  • imagining real-world scenarios helps prepare the student for on the ground learning
  • practice with vocabulary that you have just refreshed so the student feels capable of speaking with confidence 
15.  start learning how to ask basic questions about menstruation, well-being, women’s reproductive health, blood, NGO work etc. in Maa.

a.     E.g., What is menstruation?

            1. What is blood? What does it mean? What does it do?

            2. How do you menstruate? What is it like?

Flashcards, vocabulary drills, checklists, Quizlets, on-going check-ins with mentor, practicing in front of the mirror

 
  • practice research interviews
  • role-plays, scenarios, and conversations when imagining navigating public and private spaces
  • practice formulaic examples of where the vocabulary would be used in context (market, home, walking on pathways etc.). 
  • practice simple conversations using (A,B,A,B) formulas
  • practice more advanced and creative, less formulaic use of new vocabulary (especially after the conversational ABAB formula has been introduced, this is easier to pivot to)
  • imagining real-world scenarios helps prepare the student for on the ground learning
  • practice with vocabulary that you have just refreshed so the student feels capable of speaking with confidence 
16.  continue learning how to ask basic questions about menstruation, well-being, women’s reproductive health, blood, NGO work etc. in Maa.

a.     E.g.,

            1. Do you have children? How was childbirth?

 

 Flashcards, vocabulary drills, checklists, Quizlets, on-going check-ins with mentor, practicing in front of the mirror

 
  • practice research interviews
  • role-plays, scenarios, and conversations when imagining navigating public and private spaces
  • practice formulaic examples of where the vocabulary would be used in context (market, home, walking on pathways etc.). 
  • practice simple conversations using (A,B,A,B) formulas
  • practice more advanced and creative, less formulaic use of new vocabulary (especially after the conversational ABAB formula has been introduced, this is easier to pivot to)
  • imagining real-world scenarios helps prepare the student for on the ground learning
  • practice with vocabulary that you have just refreshed so the student feels capable of speaking with confidence 
17.  continue learning how to ask basic questions about menstruation, well-being, women’s reproductive health, blood, NGO work etc. in Maa.

a.     E.g.,

           1. Have you worked with NGOs? What was that experience like?

b.     E.g., Tell me more….

 Flashcards, vocabulary drills, checklists, Quizlets, on-going check-ins with mentor, practicing in front of the mirror

 
  • practice research interviews
  • role-plays, scenarios, and conversations when imagining navigating public and private spaces
  • practice formulaic examples of where the vocabulary would be used in context (market, home, walking on pathways etc.). 
  • practice simple conversations using (A,B,A,B) formulas
  • practice more advanced and creative, less formulaic use of new vocabulary (especially after the conversational ABAB formula has been introduced, this is easier to pivot to)
  • imagining real-world scenarios helps prepare the student for on the ground learning
  • practice with vocabulary that you have just refreshed so the student feels capable of speaking with confidence 

 

 

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Resources for Self-Instructional Learners of Less Commonly Taught Languages Copyright © by University of Wisconsin-Madison Students in African 671 is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.