Yoruba Language School Ireland
In this third article of our feature series exploring various Heritage Language schools in Ireland, we meet Olamide, Liaison Officer at Yoruba Language School Ireland (YLSI). She is the first port of call and oversees the communication and social media side of the organisation. Like other team members in YLSI, Olamide got involved because of her passion for people retaining her heritage language, Yoruba, in Ireland.
YLSI trains individuals and groups in Yoruba language literacy catering to all proficiency levels from beginners to advanced learners. Classes are led by linguists who have years of experience in Yoruba pedagogy and intercultural relations. As of June 2024, there are 22 students (16 beginners, 6 intermediate). Regular Beginners classes are held on Zoom on Tuesdays from 7 pm-7.40 pm and Conversational Yoruba classes take place fortnightly on Wednesdays from 6 pm-7 pm. Yoruba Story Time is held fortnightly on Saturdays at Tallaght Library between 3 pm and 4 pm.
As the only Yoruba language school in Ireland, YLSI takes great pride in playing a pioneering role and their location in the heart of Ireland is something they seek to take advantage of. Olamide shares that the school offers an unparalleled language learning experience that addresses itself to learners at different stages of a language journey or with various proficiency levels. The curriculum is meticulously designed to encompass every crucial aspect of language acquisition, ensuring a well-rounded education. Many changes in students are evident both from parents’ and teachers’ points of view between the time they started Yoruba language school and where they are now on their language learning journey.
For Olamide it was a thrilling experience to see children of other nationalities join in during some of the Yoruba Story Time sessions held at Tallaght Library. They also joined in singing Yoruba songs with great enthusiasm to the delight and surprise of their parents who encouraged them to engage more.
The YLSI makes a big difference as it is always the concern of Nigerian families that being away from Nigeria for too long would make their children lose touch with their heritage culture and language. YLSI is aware that learning a language is not just about words, it is about understanding culture and context. The school goes beyond textbooks, offering cultural insights and enriching experiences that enhance their students’ language proficiency in a meaningful way. In addition, Olamide explains that their teaching approach, which is based on a blending of online and in-person delivery of module contents, distinguishes and helps them make a difference. The school is building a community of young Yoruba speakers who feel confident and proud of their heritage language.
The school aims to expand and collaborate with higher institutions and set up institutes of African languages and cultures in Ireland. Gaining recognition and invitations to events and programmes encourages the school to be better and be more. YLSI is still finding its feet and is run solely on the passion and commitment of volunteers who share the same values and identify with the school’s vision.
Olamide hopes some financial support will become available in the future to enable cultural events, workshops and activities. Funding would also allow collaboration with other language schools, cultural organisations and community groups to help promote Yoruba language and culture in Ireland.
Check out this bed-time stories created by Mother Tongues Festival in collaboration with Singer and Songwriter Zeenie Summers as part of South Dublin County Council’s Social Inclusion Festival in 2020.
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