In a world the place mom tongues are quickly fading, UK-based Nigerian Modupe Olagunju has discovered it crucial to unveil Àselewà, a centre for Yoruba distance studying to bridge the hole. In this no-holds-barred interplay, she shares her ideas with BIODUN BUSARI on the concepts, methods, and challenges related to offering Yoruba language classes to college students in Nigeria, the UK, U.S., Canada, Australia, and Switzerland, amongst others
How did you provide you with the enterprise concept of Àselewà,?
The concept for Àselewà was born out of a deep ardour for preserving and selling the Yorùbá language and tradition, particularly at a time when many youthful persons are shedding contact with their heritage. I realised there was a niche in accessing high-quality sources for studying Yorùbá, significantly on-line.
The want to fill this hole and create a platform the place anybody, wherever on the planet, might be taught Yorùbá in an interesting and culturally wealthy method, led to the creation of Àselewà
How many individuals are concerned on this revolutionary initiative?
Àselewà wà was based by me, and I’m supported by a workforce of passionate people. Each of us brings a singular ability set to the desk, together with language experience, digital advertising and marketing, and cultural training.
What methods do you deploy to make sure set targets are achieved?
We run Àselewà by a mixture of on-line courses and interactive content material. Our main focus is on creating an immersive studying expertise. We supply structured classes that cowl every little thing from primary vocabulary to superior grammar, and we additionally incorporate cultural parts resembling Yorùbá proverbs, songs, and traditions.
My workforce works carefully collectively to make sure the curriculum is partaking and efficient. Additionally, we use social media and digital advertising and marketing to achieve potential college students and construct a powerful group round our mission.
What did you examine at school, and does it have any reference to Àselewà?
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I studied Literature in English at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria, and bagged a Master’s in Education within the UK. My research in literature taught me how you can talk successfully utilizing tales, and this has helped me to convey Yorùbá language and tradition to life for my college students.
The Education diploma supplied me with the instruments to create classes which can be straightforward to know and tailor-made to totally different studying kinds, making it simpler for college kids to be taught Yorùbá at any degree.
Can you give an summary of who your shoppers or college students are and the way you entice them?
Our college students are a various group, starting from Yorùbá individuals within the Diaspora, who need to reconnect with their roots, to non-Yorùbá people desirous about African languages and cultures.
We entice college students by focused social media commercials, phrase of mouth, and partnerships with cultural organisations.
What are the outstanding abilities and merchandise the college has to supply?
Àselewà is exclusive as a result of we provide extra than simply Yorùbá language classes. Our courses present a whole cultural expertise with stay classes from native audio system and entry to a supportive group.
We additionally embrace e-books, quizzes, and apply classes to assist college students be taught even exterior of sophistication. Our method combines language and tradition to make studying Yorùbá each instructional and enriching.
How lengthy have you ever been within the United Kingdom and the place precisely are you based mostly?
I’ve been within the UK for a while, however our enterprise is at present based mostly in each the United States and Nigeria. My expertise within the UK has supplied invaluable insights into the wants of these within the Diaspora and has allowed us to raised tailor our companies to help Yorùbá learners worldwide.
Apart from Yorùbá individuals, do you have got different college students who take part within the programme?
Yes, we now have college students from varied backgrounds. While a lot of them are of Yorùbá descent, we even have non-Yorùbá college students desirous about studying the language for educational functions, cultural curiosity, or private enrichment.
Our inclusive method makes our courses accessible and gratifying for everybody, no matter their background.
How a lot do your college students pay?
The value of our courses varies relying on the extent and kind in fact. We additionally supply reductions for bundled programs and occasional promotional charges to make our courses extra accessible.
Is it extremely profit-oriented?
Our income fluctuate based mostly on the variety of college students enrolled and the totally different companies we provide. While I can’t present actual figures, I can say that we reinvest a good portion of our earnings again into the enterprise to enhance our curriculum, increase our attain, and improve the general studying expertise for our college students.
What have you ever been in a position to obtain along with your commerce festivals?
They have been extremely helpful. These occasions have helped us increase consciousness about Àselewà and join with potential college students. They’ve additionally given us the chance to showcase our distinctive method to Yorùbá language training and increase our community inside the group.
How does your platform make studying Yorùbá accessible to individuals worldwide?
Our platform gives on-line courses that anybody can be a part of from wherever on the planet. We have interactive classes, downloadable supplies, and stay classes that match totally different studying kinds and schedules. This method, anybody who desires to be taught Yorùbá can accomplish that, regardless of the place they’re.
What distinctive instructing strategies do you employ to assist college students be taught Yorùbá successfully?
We use a mixture of strategies like storytelling, music, and cultural references, to make studying enjoyable and memorable. Our classes deal with on a regular basis conversations, so college students can begin utilizing the language instantly. We additionally use movies and quizzes to maintain the training course of partaking and efficient.
Can you share some success tales out of your college students who’ve realized Yorùbá and are fairly eloquent?
Absolutely! One of our college students within the U.S., enrolled in our class and, inside a number of months, was in a position to take an expert proficiency check. I’m thrilled to share that she is now licensed within the Yorùbá language.
We even have many different college students, who’ve efficiently realized to talk Yorùbá by our on-line courses. These are only a few examples of the optimistic impression our programme has had on learners worldwide.
How do you incorporate Yorùbá tradition into your language classes?
We consider language and tradition go hand in hand, so we embrace cultural parts resembling proverbs, folktales, and conventional songs in our classes. We additionally discover Yorùbá customs, festivals, and historical past, so college students achieve a whole understanding of the language and its cultural background.
What challenges have you ever confronted in selling the Yorùbá language, and the way have you ever overcome them?
One problem is that some individuals suppose Yorùbá, like different indigenous languages, isn’t as necessary as different extra broadly spoken languages. We tackle this by exhibiting how studying Yorùbá might help individuals join with their roots and recognize African historical past. We additionally use social media to achieve extra individuals and reveal how stunning and related the language is.
How do you guarantee your courses cater to each newcomers and superior learners?
We supply totally different ranges of courses to match every learner’s skill. Beginners begin with primary vocabulary and grammar, whereas superior learners work on extra complicated matters. We additionally present personalised suggestions and further sources for many who need to enhance sooner or deal with particular areas.
What function do social media and digital advertising and marketing play in reaching your viewers?
Social media is essential for us to create consciousness and have interaction with potential learners. We share instructional content material, testimonials, and cultural data on platforms resembling Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter. Our digital advertising and marketing consists of focused advertisements, collaborations, and common updates to maintain our viewers knowledgeable and desirous about studying Yorùbá.
What recommendation would you give to somebody desirous about studying Yorùbá however feels intimidated?
My recommendation is to begin small and be affected person with your self. Learning a brand new language may be difficult, nevertheless it’s additionally very rewarding. Our platform is designed to make studying Yorùbá enjoyable and fewer intimidating. Every phrase you be taught brings you nearer to mastering the language, and we’re right here to help you.