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Watch a recording of Session 23 from our free Igbo language class held on Zoom below ↓

Quick recap

The class focused on teaching Igbo language grammar, with emphasis on verb structures, tenses, and proper usage of prepositions and conjunctions. Participants practiced forming sentences and questions in Igbo, while discussing regional dialect variations and language classification systems. The session covered various aspects of Igbo language usage, including the "Na" particle for continuous actions, verb affixes, and proper writing conventions, with Uzoma encouraging ongoing practice and review of the material.

Session Summary Notes

Igbo Verbs and Sentence Structures

The class focused on learning Igbo verbs and sentence structures, with Uzoma explaining different verb forms, tenses, and how to use prepositions and conjunctions correctly. They discussed the proper writing conventions for Igbo, distinguishing between spoken and written forms, while emphasizing that the current class primarily focuses on spoken language. The session included practice exercises where students used basic sentence patterns to express actions and practiced forming questions, with particular attention to the use of auxiliary verbs and verb roots.

Verb Structures and Student Challenges

The group discussed speech and language concepts, focusing on verb structures and sentence formation. Uzoma explained the components of verbal phrases, including subjects, objects, and verb roots, and noted that students missed a recent class where these concepts were taught. He mentioned an assignment that was given to students who attended the previous class, but many did not show up for the current session. The discussion touched on the addition of prefixes and suffixes to verb roots, and Uzoma expressed concern that students were avoiding the assignment.

Language Teaching and Structure Challenges

The discussion focused on language teaching and learning, with Uzoma explaining concepts about verb usage and language structure to Prinz and others. They discussed the challenges of teaching a language that has different patterns compared to English, particularly regarding the placement of certain elements.

Igbo Language Past Tense Discussion

The group discussed Igbo language grammar, focusing on past tense and verb conjugations. Uzoma explained how to form completed actions in Igbo, while ChiChi and others contributed examples and questions about dialect variations. The conversation included discussions about Igbo dialect classification and regional differences.

Igbo Letter Classification Discussion

Uzoma led a discussion on the classification of Igbo letters into two groups, explaining how letters with and without dots are used differently in writing and speaking the language. They explored how these classifications help with negation and verb conjugation, using examples to demonstrate the use of auxiliary verbs and affixes to express tense and aspect in Igbo. Uzoma encouraged participants who missed the class to review the recorded session for a better understanding of the concepts discussed.

Igbo Language Tense Constructions

The session focused on explaining the use of the "Na" particle in Igbo language to convey continuous actions in the present tense, similar to the English present continuous. Uzoma provided examples and explained that "Na" helps express ongoing actions, contrasting with completed actions. Participants practiced making Igbo sentences and translating them into English to better understand the concepts.

Language Construction and Translation Discussion

The group discussed language and translation, focusing on verb affixes and sentence structures. Uzoma led the conversation, asking questions about specific words and phrases, while others provided answers and examples. They explored how certain words are constructed in their language, including roots, verb affixes, and continuous forms. The discussion included examples like "drawing" and "coming tomorrow," with participants sharing sentences and translations.

Igbo Verb Structure and Practice

The group discussed verb roots and affixes in Igbo language, with Uzoma explaining the structure of verbs and how different forms can be created by adding various elements. They practiced identifying verb roots and discussing how to form different verb tenses and moods. Uzoma encouraged the group to continue practicing speaking Igbo and to ask questions in the group chat if they have any doubts.