by Abdullah Ajibade
The fastest way to kill a culture is to kill its language. If a language isn’t preserved, the people’s rich cultural values risk disappearing. For this reason, studies highlight the urgent need to reorient efforts toward sustaining the Yorùbá language.
This is the mission at the heart of Yorùbá Dùn Kọ́ (YDK), a virtual learning platform created to revive interest in Yorùbá and make the language more accessible to learners at home and abroad.
“YDK is a God-given vision," says Obadiah Oyetoro, the platform’s lead. "It was borne out of a desire to reignite the dying interest in Yorùbá and to synchronize Yorùbá language learning with functional, everyday use. In YDK, we don't just learn Yorùbá; we 'do' Yorùbá."
The virtual learning platform offers a flexible opportunity to master the Yorùbá language in 3 months. While Oyetoro acknowledges that Yorùbá isn’t a language one can fully master in a short time, he explains that the program is structured with a comprehensive curriculum and a learning grid that encourages learners to take at least 12 classes in a month, totaling 36 classes in 3 months. With this, learners are equipped with skills ranging from the basics to the advanced level (PRO level).
YDK’s structure is flexible. The team lead told Observersmag that the platform blends different approaches based on the learner's concern and the learning situation. “For instance, there are some classes where we simply use interactive videos that simulate concepts and then build on them with respect to what obtains in the learners' locale (based on what is being taught).”
 |
| Obadiah Oyetoro, Team Lead Yorùbá Dùn Kọ́ (YDK) |
Who Can Learn Yorùbá with YDK? (Young Learners, Adults, and the Diaspora)
The Yorùbá Dùn Kọ́ (YDK) virtual learning program is inclusive. The platform plans to offer a flexible approach tailored to suit each learner. Creative tools like Kahoot, Canva, and a host of others are used in teaching engaging lessons to some very young learners.
Is Yorùbá Dùn Kọ́ (YDK) Open to Partnerships or Collaborations?
YDK isn't just a learning platform for Yorùbá; it is a touchpoint for Yorùbá learners and Yorùbá culture, the team says. YDK is open to collaborations, especially those that promote Yorùbá heritage.
In the next 1-2 years, the platform aims to cover Nigeria and over 20 countries across 4 continents, revitalizing Yorùbá language learning. “We are also working on integrating our learnings with the technological systems to further drive visibility and engagement.”
As for individuals or parents considering enrolling in a Yorùbá course, Oyetoro offers a powerful reminder:
"Tẹni n tẹni, t'àkísà n t'ààtàn, Èdè Yorùbá dùn, ẹní bá mọ̀ọ́, kò ní f'ọwọ́ òsì júwe ilé—Yorùbá is ours; only when we know it will we represent the heritage well.”
How to Register for YDK’s Yorùbá Language learning Program (3-Month Course)
To join the three-month virtual Yorùbá language learning course, you can register by contacting the YDK team directly via WhatsApp at wa.me/08169253830.
Tags:
language learning