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Mother Tongue Education

Nkwen Language Lessons 2025

-Əlwenǝ̀ wa bǝ Taminang Theresia. – My name is Taminang Theresia Ngeche.

-Əlwenǝ nduŋǝ wà bǝ Stephen Taminang. My Husbands name is Stephen Taminang.

-Bi drzwi nǝ̀ ǝboo bǝ tanǝ̀. We have Three Children.

-Əboo bǝngye bǝ tarǝ nǝ bǎ mbangnǝ bǝ bya. Three girls and two boys.

-Me mbǝ Ndǝ Ŋwa’arǝ Aboŋnǝ Mǝkwenǝ̀. I am a Nkwen Language Teacher.

– Mǝ lanǝ nkoŋtǝ mǝzi’irǝnǝ̀ wwu nǝ àboŋnǝ ala’a. I would like to teach you our language.        

Lesson 1

Hello!

Uwu wu wu! – Hello!

Bu yii. You are welcome. 

Àa.

Àa, mǝya – Yes, thanks.

Àa Mma (Ndǝ̀) – Yes Mother (Madam, Sir, ndǝmǝ wà.

Lesson 2

Abǝla? – How are you?

Abong/Aboŋǝ – I’m good.

Lesson 3

Meyà – Thanks

Mǝyà wwò – Thank you.

Meyà wwu –  Thank you people.

mǝya wwa – Thanks to them.

meyà ye – Thanks to him/her.

fya meyà wwa. Give them thanks.

Fya mǝyà ye – Give him/her thanks.

Mǝ̀ koŋǝ(kong) fya mèya. – I like to give thanks.

Lesson 4

Self Introduction

-Abǝla? – How are you?

-Abong/Aboŋǝ – I’m good.

-Əlwenǝ wwo bǝ wǝ̀ (Elwenǝ wwo wǝ̀) What is your name?

-Ə̀lwenǝ wa bǝ (Ngefor) My name is (Ngefor)

-Əlwenǝ ǝtaa wwo wǝ?

-Əlwenǝ etàa wà bǝ Tala.

Əlwenǝ mma wwo wǝ?

Əlwene mma wà bǝ Ngǝlà.

Əlwenǝ ndǝmǝ wwò bǝ wǝ̀.

Əlwenǝ ndǝmǝ wà bǝ Ngǝlo.

Lesson 5

Greetings – Mǝ̀tsɛ̀’ɛtenǝ̀

Njwelǎ – Good Morning 

A a njwelǎ. Yes good morning 

Njwela Ngebi. Good morning Ngebi.

A a njwela Mma (Etaa, ndemwa, muwi, ndi)

Good afternoon

O zìi – Good afternoon

O yìi – Welcome

Fǝ̀lye fwo – Good night

Mbamba – Goodbye

Mbamba – Goodbye 

Mbamba Mma (Etaa, Ndi/ndiwi, ndemwa)

Polite Language. – Aboŋnǝ(Abongne) nshilinǝ̌

Please – Àtsa’a-tsa’a zhe 

-Àtsà’a-tsa’a zhe, tiboŋǝ mè nchya? Please, can I have my way / Can I pass?

-Àtsà’a-tsa’a zhe, na’a mè nchya. Please, let me have my way / let me pass.

Lontǝ wa – Excuse me

Lontǝ wa mǝ nchya. Excuse me. Let me pass.

Sorry – Mǝ̀ nko mǝlìŋnǝ (məlìngnǝ)

-Àtsà’a-tsa’a zhe, tiboŋǝ mè nchya.

– Mǝ̀ nko mǝlìŋnǝ (məlìngnǝ). Chya. – I’m sorry. Pass / Have your way.

About Food – Anyù Mǝjyǝ

-O bǝ jyǝ? – Will you eat?

-Nji zaŋǝ(zang) wwa. – I’m hungry.

-O bǝ jyǝ kǝ? – What would you eat? 

-Mǝ̀ mbǝ jye mac bwo cheesè. I will eat mac and cheese. 

(Paster, cereal, nodules, pap,)

-Mǝ mbe kwurǝ̀ nna/meat. I will eat meat. (nǝbye/fish, ngwasaŋe/corn, mǝnjyǝ̌/peanuts, azu’u/yams, mâkàbǝ̀/cocoyam, mǝkû/beans,…)

*Beginner Phrases:*

1. Greetings:

    – Hello: “Hello” (or a similar greeting in your native language)

    – Goodbye: “Goodbye” (or a similar farewell in your native language)

    – Introductions: “My name is [name]” (in your native language)

2. Basic Phrases:

    – Thank you: “Thank you” (or a similar expression in your native language)

    – Please: “Please” (or a similar polite phrase in your native language)

    – Excuse me/Sorry: “Excuse me” or “Sorry” (or similar phrases in your native language)

3. Common Words:

    – Food: Introduce basic food words like “water,” “bread,” or “fruit” in your native language

    – Family: Teach words like “mother,” “father,” “brother,” and “sister” in your native language

*Topic Guide:*

1. *Week 1-2: Introductions and Basic Phrases*

    – Teach greetings, introductions, and basic phrases like “hello,” “goodbye,” “thank you,” and “please.”

    – Use flashcards, videos, or interactive games to make learning fun.

2. *Week 3-4: Food and Drinks*

    – Introduce vocabulary related to food and drinks in your native language.

    – Use pictures, flashcards, or real-life examples to demonstrate the words.

3. *Week 5-6: Family and Relationships*

    – Teach vocabulary related to family members and relationships in your native language.

    – Use family trees, pictures, or stories to illustrate the concepts.

4. *Week 7-8: Animals and Nature*

    – Introduce vocabulary related to animals, nature, and the environment in your native language.

    – Use pictures, videos, or outdoor activities to make learning engaging.

5. *Week 9-10: Culture and Traditions*

    – Share aspects of your native culture and traditions with the kids.

    – Use stories, music, or traditional clothing to showcase your culture.

*Tips:*

1. *Keep it fun and interactive*: Use games, videos, and hands-on activities to keep the kids engaged.

2. *Use visual aids*: Flashcards, pictures, and videos can help kids learn and retain new vocabulary.

3. *Practice regularly*: Encourage kids to practice their new language skills regularly, even if it’s just for a few minutes a day.

4. *Be patient and encouraging*: Learning a new language can be challenging, so be patient and encouraging with the kids.

5. *Make it relevant*: Connect the language learning to the kids’ everyday lives, interests, or experiences.

By following this topic guide, you’ll be well on your way to teaching your native language to American kids. Good luck!

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