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I've only been out of the country 3 times once to Canada
(which can hardly be called international travel with a
straight face). The other two times I went to Ghana,
West Africa.
Being in Ghana was amazing and it was absolutely
beautiful to be welcomed to a country filled of people
who look like me, by people calling me sister and who
genuinely were apologetic for letting me be stolen away.
I speak Spanish fluently and have had many discussions
with native Spanish speakers who say no matter how many
generations they have been in the US, learning and
retaining the language in the community is imperative to
self awareness & to economic and community development.
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Language gives people a cultural connection to a
geographic location and a way to articulate their needs,
struggles, goals, history etc. in their own voice.
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Every Afrikan whether born and raised in the US after
generations of separation or those raised on the
continent should know at least one Afrikan language.
Many Afrikans born in the US have embraced the country
of Ghana as a way to connect with the continent of
Afrika and have begun learning Twi (pronounced Chree) as
a way to reconnect on a more fundamental level.
I love speaking Spanish and have only taken my first Twi
lesson but I already feel connected, empowered and
inspired. If you have the resources and desire to
connect (reconnect with your self and your heritage) too
join me in class.
Scholar expert Obadele Kambon of AbibiTumiKasa is a phenomenal
instructor and linguist and built the entire website
himself including the classroom which features an
incredibly high tech interactive LIVE streaming audio
and video system that rivals the interaction in a sit
down class.
NK |
I am not good with computers. I didn't think I could
learn a language online. Taking this class is good even
for me and I am larning Yoruba very quickly. I
like that I can talk to and see people from all over the
world in my classroom. I never thought I could
learn like this and better that at a school. I
want to go to Nigeria one day to see the country. I
tried talking to a man from Nigeria at a gas station and
he was so impressed.
JC
I am taking the learn at your own pace classes and they
are really good. I have told a lot of people about
it. I like the games too. Trying to beat
those high scores though.
MR
My mom is Black but my dad is Kenyan so I wanted to
learn the Swahili. This class is the best elective class
I've taken. Obadele is brilliant and amazing. I
love the people I've met at Abibitumi Kasa.
PF |
African Language Institute 