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One of my personal goals for the next year of my research is to learn the basics of a widely spoken language in each of the four countries I’m visiting.  (A minimal step, admittedly, but I’m only spending 2 – 3 months in each place and won’t have time to work towards greater fluency.)  I’ve been pleased to see that the online resources for learning African languages have greatly improved since I first tried to do this with Kinyarwanda in 2008.  Here are some of the most useful ones I’ve found.

Chinyanja (Zambia)

• NB: Chinyanja is very closely related to Chichewa.  Most of the available online resources use the latter name

• Start with this Instant Immersion course, then check out these textbooks and dictionary

Luganda (Uganda)

• EuroTalk offers an intensive course in Luganda.  There are also several introductory textbooks and dictionaries

• The Learn Luganda site offers links to a variety of useful resources.  I’ve also found a series of free YouTube videos that look promising

Twi (Ghana)

• There’s a good number of resources for directed self-study, like this Pimsleur course, and a range of textbooks and dictionaries

• Other online resources include this text and audio archive of Twi folktales and songs and the Akan pronunciation game

• Nkyea makes a useful series of iOS apps, including a Twi phrasebook and Akan keyboard

Yoruba (Nigeria)

• Also some good options for directed self-study here, like this Instant Immersion course, this dictionary, and both printed and digital textbooks

• WorldLanguage offers a series of children’s books with dual English and Yoruba translation

• Genii Games makes iOS and Android apps meant to introduce children to Yoruba language and culture