African Languages Association: Basic/Intermediate Igbo

Spring 2018 Syllabus

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date/Time: Fridays, 5:00PM-6:00PM
Location: Tawes Hall, Room #0320
*(Unless otherwise stated in weekly emails)*

Teacher: Mary Uwadineke, maryuwadineke@gmail.com, 443-797-4272

Teaching Assistant: Chidera Nosiri, cnosiri@terpmail.umd.edu, 301-659-0430

Organization Contact Information:

● Website: http://umcpala.weebly.com/
● Email/Phone: umcpala@gmail.com, 301-661-6668
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOALS OF THE COURSE
This course is meant to be a continuation of our first Igbo course taught during fall, 2017. If
you did not take the course last semester, don’t worry! We will begin by reviewing topics
covered last semester and transition to new words and phrases. As we advance through the
course, you will notice that we place less emphasis on formal grammatical instruction and
more emphasis on everyday speech. This is because we want to prepare you for everyday
conversation with family and friends! Through weekly lessons and activities, we hope to
build your confidence when speaking Igbo and also help you build a community with other
students on campus! -Igbo Kwenu!

CLASS EXPECTATIONS
We will begin each class with a short quiz or exercise based on material covered during the
previous week. Following this, we will deliver lecture, incorporating opportunities for you to
practice oral speech and listening comprehension. Finally, we will end each class by going over
any questions you might have, and briefly explaining an exercise sheet for you to complete
before the next class. All exercise sheets are not graded and are simply meant to help you
practice Igbo outside of class.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
● Unit 1 (Lessons 1-2): Review of Basics (Alphabet, Numbers, Time, Days of Week)
● Unit 2 (Lessons 3-4): Greeting Others and Introducing Yourself
● Unit 3 (Lessons 5-9): Communicating in Different Contexts
● Unit 4 (Lessons 10-11): Listening Comprehension
 IMPORTANT NOTES
● Classroom Environment: We strive to create an environment that is both welcoming
and accepting of all Igbo-learners! Feel free to express yourself and ask TONS of
questions when you need help. Push yourself to speak Igbo with your classmates as
soon as you step into the classroom, and don't be afraid to make mistakes.
● Cancellations: We may have cancellations during the semester due to inclimate
weather, emergencies, or low enrollment. We will do our best to inform you of any
such cancellations days in advance. In the event of a cancellation, we will email you
materials to help you stay on top of the syllabus.
● Communication: General class information, such as reminders and cancellations, will
be sent via email at umcpala@gmail.com. However, make sure to connect with the
teacher, teaching assistant, and other students through the class GroupMe, "Igbo
Class (African Languages Assoc.)." Class updates will also be sent through the
GroupMe, sometimes more quickly than general emails, so make sure to check the
GroupMe often.

COURSE MATERIALS
● Igbo Dictionary: We will incorporate words from this book throughout the semester,
but we will not be able to cover every word and encourage you to review the book on
your own. You can even make flashcards out of new words and practice them
throughout the week. The dictionary is located in a section of the class folder titled
"Igbo Dictionary."
● Exercises/Keys: We will display exercise questions towards the end of each lesson for
you to start with your classmates in class and finish for homework. Answer keys for
each exercise will be posted after each class in a section of the class Google folder
titled "Exercise Keys." Questions from each exercise will be used to structure weekly
quizzes.
● Helpful Websites: http://ilc.igbonet.com/, http://www.learnigbonow.com/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEBRUARY
Date Lesson After Class
*(5:00PM-6:00PM)*
Lesson 1 Begin Unit 1: Basics Make flashcards
-Review Igbo Alphabet and Numbers -Alphabet
Friday -Start Exercise 1 -Numbers
Feb. 9th
*FIRST DAY OF Review
CLASS!* -Exercise 1, Quiz on 2/16

Lesson 2 Finish Unit 1: Basics Make flashcards

Short Quiz on Exercise 1 -Time
Friday -Review Time and Days of Week -Days of Week
Feb. 16th
Review
-Complete Exercise 2, Quiz on 2/23

Lesson 3 Begin Unit 2: Greetings/Introducing Make flashcards

Yourself -General Greetings
Friday Short Quiz on Exercise 2 -Casual Greetings
Feb. 23rd -Learn Greetings Part I
Review
-Complete Exercise 3, Quiz on 3/2

MARCH
Date Lesson After Class
*(5:00PM-6:00PM)*
Lesson 4 Finish Unit 2: Greetings/Introducing Make flashcards
Yourself -Greetings for Work
Friday Short Quiz on Greetings -Greetings for Comforting the Sick
March 2nd -Learn Greetings Part II -Introducing Yourself (Name, Age,
-Learn How to Introduce Yourself Occupation, Home)

Review
-Complete Exercise 4, Quiz on 3/9

Lesson 5 Begin Unit 3: Conversing in Different Make flashcards

Contexts -Vocabulary for the Home
Friday Short Quiz on Greetings
March 9th -Learn How to Communicate at Home Review
Part I -Complete Exercise 5, Quiz on 3/16

Lesson 6 Continue Unit 3: Conversing in Different Make flashcards

Contexts -Vocabulary for the Home
Friday Short Quiz
 March 16th -Learn How to Communicate at Home Review
Part II -Complete Exercise 6, Quiz on 3/30
*Watch short clip for Comprehension -Short Clip for Comprehension Practice
Practice

Friday *Practice your new skills w. family and

March 23rd friends!*
*NO CLASS*
SPRING BREAK
March 18th-25th

Lesson 7 Continue Unit 3: Conversing in Different Make flashcards

Contexts -Vocabulary for the Marketplace
Friday Short Quiz
March 30th -Learn How to Communicate at the Review
Market Part I -Complete Exercise 7, Quiz on 4/6
*Watch short clip for Comprehension -Short Clip for Comprehension Practice
Practice

APRIL
Date Lesson After Class
*(5:00PM-6:00PM)*
Lesson 8 Continue Unit 3: Conversing In Different Make flashcards
Contexts -Vocabulary for the Marketplace
Friday Short Quiz
April 6th -Learn How to Communicate at the Review
Market Part II -Complete Exercise 8, Quiz on 4/13
*Watch short clip for Comprehension -Short Clip for Comprehension Practice
Practice

Lesson 9 Finish Unit 3: Conversing In Different Make flashcards

Contexts -Vocabulary for School
Friday Short Quiz
April 13th -Learn How to Communicate at School Review
*Watch short clip for Comprehension -Complete Exercise 9, Quiz on 4/20
Practice -Short Clip for Comprehension Practice

Lesson 10 Begin Unit 4: Listening Comprehension Make flashcards

Short Quiz -Movie Vocabulary
Friday -Watch *Surprise* Igbo Movie!
April 20th Review
 -Complete Exercise 10, Quiz on 4/27

Lesson 11 Finish Unit 4: Listening Comprehension Make flashcards

Short Quiz -Movie Vocabulary
Friday -Watch *Surprise* Igbo Movie! Review
April 27th -Complete Exercise 11
*LAST DAY OF ---------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS!* UMD FINALS WEEK
May 12th-18th

*YOU'VE GOT THIS!*