Online Yorùbá classes for Nigerians abroad: learning from the UK, US and Canada

If you grew up in London, Houston or Toronto with Yorùbá-speaking parents, you probably understand far more than you say. Your parents spoke Yorùbá; you answered in English, because that's what school, friends and everything outside the house ran on. Now you want to speak it: for your parents, for visits home, or for your own children.

The good news is that you don't need to live in Nigeria, or near a Yorùbá school, to get regular speaking practice. Here's what to look for, and how to make it work from where you are.

Why so many Nigerians abroad understand Yorùbá but can't speak it

Growing up abroad usually means years of hearing Yorùbá at home and almost no reason to speak it anywhere else. Your listening got lots of practice; your speaking didn't. Add a few experiences of being teased for your accent on trips home, and silence starts to feel safer. We explain this pattern, and how to fix it, in I understand Yorùbá but can't speak it.

What to check before you book a Yorùbá class from abroad

1. The time in your time zone. A class at a good time in Lagos might be early afternoon in the US. Check, and remember that clocks change in the UK, US and Canada but not in Nigeria.
2. Currency and payment. Is the price in naira, pounds or dollars? Can you pay by card from your country? Your bank may add a small foreign transaction fee.
3. Who the class is built for. Many courses start from zero. If you already understand Yorùbá, look for conversation classes designed for heritage speakers, so you're not stuck reciting the alphabet.
4. How much you'll actually speak. Small groups of two to four give you far more talking time than big online classes.
5. Fluent, friendly guides. Ideally people who understand what it's like to be a diaspora learner, and who won't laugh at your accent.
6. A way to try first. A single trial class lets you check the timing, the format and the vibe before you commit.

Time zone guide: how far behind Lagos are you?

Nigeria stays on West Africa Time (WAT, one hour ahead of GMT) all year, while the UK, US and Canada change their clocks. Soro's class windows are set in Lagos time, so here is how far behind Lagos each place is. Subtract the gap from any class time shown on the sign-up page.

The UK and North America change their clocks on different dates, so for a few weeks each spring and autumn the gap can be an hour different from this table. If in doubt, check a time zone converter before your first class.

Making Yorùbá practice work when you live abroad

A weekly class is the anchor. These habits fill the rest of the week, even when nobody around you speaks Yorùbá:

• Call home in Yorùbá. The UK is only an hour off Nigeria for half the year, so a quick evening call is easy. Speak Yorùbá for the first few minutes, then a little longer each week.
• Send voice notes. A Yorùbá voice note to a parent or aunt is low pressure and gets you a reply to listen to.
• Use your community. Many cities with large Nigerian communities have Yorùbá-speaking churches, mosques, associations and events. Greet people in Yorùbá and stay in it as long as you can.
• Listen on the go. Yorùbá films, music, radio and BBC News Yorùbá turn your commute into practice.
• Prepare for trips home. Before you travel, practise the conversations you'll have: greeting elders, catching up with relatives, haggling at the market.

Paying for Yorùbá classes from abroad

Yorùbá programmes run from Nigeria often price in naira. That can work in your favour, but check:

• Can you pay by card from abroad? Most online card payments work internationally; confirm before you rely on it.
• Foreign transaction fees. Some UK, US and Canadian banks charge a small fee on payments in other currencies.
• Exchange rates. The amount on your statement will vary a little from month to month.

How Soro works for learners abroad

Soro is a live, online speaking programme for adults who already understand Yorùbá, wherever they live.

• Groups of three people at your level, with a friendly, fluent Atọ́nísọ̀nà (guide).
• One hour a week, online. Class windows are set in Lagos time. The open windows change with guide availability, so check the sign-up page for the schedule that works best for you, then use the table above to convert it to your time.
• Couples' sessions on the Tọ́kọ Tàyà plan have their own schedule, separate from the group classes. See the couples' sign-up page.
• Prices in naira: Try Soro ₦5,000 for one class (refundable if you email within 24 hours of the class), ₦15,000 a month for four classes, or ₦40,000 for twelve. Pay by card online.
• A group chat, so you stay in touch between sessions, whatever your time zone.
• Sessions stand on their own, so there's no lesson sequence to keep up with. Missed classes do use that week's credit, so choose a slot that fits your week.

Questions people ask