For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to strengthen my Igbo. Growing up, I could understand a lot of what was being said around me; family conversations, cultural sayings, even jokes. But when it came to actually speaking? That’s where the real challenge was.
Early Efforts: Learning Alone
Over the years, I tried the usual methods, such as reading articles online, browsing Igbo dictionaries, and watching videos on YouTube. These resources were useful for learning words and grammar, but they didn’t make much progress in speaking.
I could recognize phrases when I heard them, but when it was my turn to talk, I found myself stuck.
Breakthrough: Group Classes and Real Conversations
What helped me the most was joining a structured group class. Having regular lessons with a teacher and classmates gave me something I couldn’t build on my own: accountability and practice.
While the formal teaching improved my writing, the real speaking progress came from the interactive parts of learning:
- Word of the Day (on WhatsApp): kept Igbo alive in my daily routine.
- Group conversations: gave me a safe space to try speaking without fear of judgment.
- Quizlets and games: made learning fun and interactive.
- Speaking with my parents in Igbo: even though it felt awkward at first, forcing myself to reply in Igbo instead of English gave me the most natural practice.
That last point — conversations at home — reminded me that the best practice doesn’t always come from a textbook. It comes from using the language with people who already speak it.
Understanding vs. Speaking
Even now, I understand Igbo far better than I speak it. I can follow conversations and know what’s being said, but responding in real time is where I hesitate.
I’ve realized this is more psychological than technical. I know the words — but my fear of making mistakes or not sounding “authentic” holds me back. It’s a reminder that many of us carry the weight of identity when we open our mouths to speak.
This struggle also connects to how we view our identity as Igbo people. One of our team members at IgboLearn, Joy, recently wrote a powerful piece titled From Ahamefuna to Aham: The Dangerous Shortcut That Erases Igbo Names and Identity. She shares how many of us grew up preferring English names or shortened versions of Igbo names because society made the originals feel “too much” or “not cool enough.”
Just like names, language is more than communication — it is identity. When we avoid or downplay them, we lose part of our story. For me, learning Igbo has been about building not just vocabulary, but the confidence to live fully in that identity.
How This Connects to IgboLearn
This personal struggle is one of the main reasons I started building IgboLearn. I knew there had to be a way to make speaking practice more natural, consistent, and accessible.
IgboLearn isn’t just about memorizing words; it’s about creating spaces where people can use the language in real ways: daily words, conversations, quizzes, and eventually AI and VR practice tools.
In my other article, The Vision Behind IgboLearn, I share the bigger dream of how phones, AI, and VR can bring Igbo learning to life. But this post is simply my truth: learning Igbo is a journey, and I’m still on it.
What I’ve Learned So Far
- Exposure matters: the more you hear Igbo, the more natural it feels.
- Speaking is the real challenge: understanding is only half the journey.
- Confidence is key: mistakes are part of the process.
- Community and family help most: games, group chats, and even speaking with parents at home make the biggest difference.
Closing Thought
I may not be fluent yet, but every step — from online resources, to group classes, to family conversations, to building IgboLearn has brought me closer.
One day, I’ll speak Igbo with the same confidence I understand it. Until then, I’ll keep learning, practicing, and building tools like IgboLearn to make sure others on this path don’t have to struggle alone.
But my story is only the beginning.
The bigger question became: How do we make learning Igbo easier and more accessible for everyone?
Continue reading Part 2: The Vision Behind IgboLearn…