Tips and Expectations

Tips for learning Yoruba as a foreign language

1. Watch Yoruba movies and Youtube videos
   Before I start my Yoruba learning in UW-Madison, I get myself familiar with the language and culture through watching Yoruba movies and videos on YouTube. There are many Youtubers teaching basic Yoruba expressions. Yoruba movies/Nollywood films are also very interesting to watch.
2. Try to express yourself in Yoruba whenever and wherever you are.
   I will remind myself of Yoruba expressions in my everyday life. For example, when I am eating chicken, I will think of “Mo n je adiye bayi”, which means “I am eating chicken now.”
3. Don’t hesitate to “bother” your native-speaking friends
   I won’t miss any chance to learn Yoruba from my Yoruba friends. They are always willing to answer my questions and teach me more useful expressions.  As a friend once said to me, “Ọmọ Iya mi, mo wà fún ẹ!” (Literally means: “My mother’s child, I am here for you.”)

Expectations for a foreign language learner

1. Respect a different culture
   People have different cultures and have different ways of life. It’s always important to keep an open mind and respect different cultures when we are learning a foreign language.
2. Keep a habit
   Try to do some practice every day. You can vary your exercises to avoid boredom. Meanwhile, it’s okay to make progress slowly. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Seeing learning a language as a life-long process.