Different people have their reasons for learning Hausa as a new language. When people often choose to learn African languages, an important reason is attached to it. However, some people may want to know the language for fun!
Whether you're trying to get a new job in a northern state, good grades in a Hausa course, NYSC program or just because you want to learn a new language, you need to plan. With proper planning, you'll have adequate knowledge and gain literacy in this Nigerian language.
Moreover, learning Hausa requires you to start on the right note, and you can only achieve this with a perfect guide. If you're reading this, it probably means you're interested in learning the Hausa language.
Hence, in this article, we'll show you all you need to start Hausa lessons in Nigeria.
Finding the Right Hausa Tutor
Hausa is a unique African language classified under the Chadic languages, an Afroasiatic language, and it's spoken in Nigeria, other parts of Africa, and other countries or international territories.
This Nigerian language is a bit more complex than the English language, and you need the proper guidance to make you better at the use of its vocabulary and grammar. A perfect method you shouldn't miss out on is getting the right tutor to help you with Hausa courses.
Students must be careful when selecting Hausa teachers for their classes, as native speakers can also be mistaken for good teachers.
Before selecting a tutor, you must be clear with your learning goals. It would help if you listed your goals based on what you want to achieve with the lessons, either for work or educational reasons. So, you can set daily, weekly, or monthly goals depending on how fast you want to learn.
After making your list, you should note how well you understand the language. Are you new to the language, an intermediate learner, or want to refresh your memory about the language?
Knowing your level of Hausa literacy will help you understand what kind of teacher to pick. For example, beginners might want to go for teachers that can help them with basic language knowledge like the alphabet, number counting, greetings, etc., which might not work for an intermediate learner.
While intermediate learners need a teacher to guide them on relevant courses to build on what they already know, a Hausa major in the university needs an advanced language tutor.
Furthermore, there are certain qualities to look out for when choosing the right teacher. Most students always see northern speakers or people from northern Nigeria as a better option for a Hausa teacher.
However, this isn't always true. People from Igbo and Yoruba tribes understand the Hausa language just like a northerner and can teach it perfectly.
Some northerners understand the culture and language but can't pass their knowledge to people effectively.
Your aim for getting a tutor is to get value for your money. For this to happen, there are things you should note before selecting a tutor.
So, as a student, here are qualities to look for before choosing a Hausa teacher:
- Qualifications
- Proficiency
- Teaching skills
- Can they help you meet your learning goals?
- Their knowledge of the Hausa culture?
- Listening and speaking skills
- People reviews about them
If you're looking for the right teacher for your Hausa classes, you can check out Superprof, an education website where you can get affordable tutoring services. Book a session with a tutor on the platform today and get a free first lesson!
How to Learn Hausa Fast
Many free guides are available on how to learn this African language quickly. You have to choose the one that works best for you. Also, you should know that learning a new language is not only about going for lessons or attending a course. You have to put in the work as well.
To learn Hausa fast, you must take out time to study. It's advisable to practice daily to avoid forgetting things. Revising will also help you get familiar with topics you find difficult.
If you've not been practising, the damages can be retrieved by setting studying standards. It would be best if you also focused on things you tend to forget easily, like simple words, phrases, spelling, or pronunciation.
Anytime you find it difficult to focus or understand new terms and phrases, note them in your journal and be free to talk to your teacher or lecturer about them. If you're studying by yourself, you can start with simplified Hausa courses that you can easily understand.
Another thing you can do is to listen to both national and international Hausa speakers that understand English for translation purposes.
Learning Hausa might come different to you as everyone has varying learning capabilities. You might find the reading aspect easy while finding the linguistic aspect difficult. You should focus more on the aspects you find difficult and find a way to become better at them.
Here is a list of ways to learn Hausa faster:
- Paying attention to classes and your tutors
- Revising what you've learnt repeatedly
- Listen to native speakers
- Check out simplified online courses
- Use study materials
- Study the Hausa tribe and culture
- Watch Hausa movies
- Travel to any northern state
English is not the only language you have to deal with vocabulary and grammar. Hausa has them too. And all the methods mentioned above are good ways to learn the Hausa vocabulary, structure, and grammar.
Practising Hausa Between Lessons
To be good at anything, you need to engage in the art of practising it regularly. Becoming an excellent speaker of this African language requires practising more often. You don't want to pile up your lessons for days without going back to them.
To get better, you need to revise your lessons regularly. You also have to learn outside your private or general classes as well.
Hausa courses may differ from one Nigerian university to the other and might be a little more advanced than basic ones. University students can use this to get private teachers, either online or in person.
Also, there's a particular book anybody learning new languages must have, and that is the dictionary. As a student, you must be friends with your dictionary because it's an essential tool for translation.
With the dictionary, you can get the meaning of basic words and phrases you might have encountered during your lessons.
Your teacher may not be able to touch all aspects of the language. This is why you must put in extra effort by practising independently. When you find anything difficult, you can note it in your journal and then ask questions about it in your next lesson.
In addition, different resources are available to make practising easy for you. You can use YouTube videos, e-books, education websites, and books.
Practising study exercises is a sure way to learn effectively. Go over the exercises given in class. Look up books or e-books and apps for similar activities and practice them.
Whether as a beginner, intermediate learner, or university student, you can check for practice exercises that suit the lesson you're currently taking.
If you're finding the linguistic aspect difficult, you can start by listening to native speakers in the country and taking oral tests.
You don't have to worry about the accent at first. Speak as you can, then work on the pronunciation as time passes.
Another way of practising Hausa in between lessons is exploring the African culture of the Hausa tribe.
Check out their history, food, art, family titles, social gatherings, dressing, etc. If you don't reside in the north, you can also travel alone or with family in your free time.
When you understand the culture of the tribe, then it becomes easier to learn since you're now familiar with some things about them.
Cost of Hausa Lessons in Nigeria
Your budget is an important feature to consider when finding the cost of Hausa lessons. You should have a budget planned out for the classes you'll take. This will help you get great teachers within your budget range.
When drafting your budget, you should consider your lesson plan. There are different lesson plans, and they differ in price as well. It could be a language school, university, private or home lesson.
The tuition fee for a university program varies with different universities, but it ranges from 20,000 to 800,000 NGN per session, depending on whether it is a public or private university.
However, If you prefer a language school, their tuition ranges between 30,000 to 50,000 NGN per month. This depends on whether you are taking private or general lessons.
There are also online lessons which could be private or general, and the fee ranges between 1,000 to 5,000 NGN per hour. Also, don't go for schools or teachers just because they are affordable. You can see a good Hausa tutor at an affordable price.
If you're looking for tutors who understand the tribe and language, you should check out Superprof. The tutoring rate for Hausa classes on Superprof is between 2000 to 5000 NGN per hour.
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