Kehinde Enilolobo will be teaching the Yoruba language alongside our DAAS language faculty here at the University of Michigan as the Yoruba Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA). Her first contact with the Yoruba language, like most Yoruba speakers, was from her parents and community. She further learned it formally in school, from primary school (elementary) to university. Not only does Kehinde have education in Yoruba but also teaching experience in English language and Literature-in-English. She previously taught to senior secondary school students, as well as to adult learners at a higher institution.
The Yoruba language is very connected to her culture and tradition as a Nigerian. And so, to properly understand the language and culture, Enilolobo states that, “one must rely on the available resources that serve as archives of the language: Yoruba movies and music.” These are fun ways to immerse oneself in the language and culture, as well as acquire competence.
She believes recreating the use of technology is crucial to learning in the classroom. With technology, the teacher can bring the culture to the class. For example, teaching Asa Igbeyawo, Isinku or Isomoloruko can best be done by relying on resources one can find online. Not only does it give a better understanding of what is being taught, but it also provides access to live the moment, another key to learning. Learners will feel more connected to the culture, and they will feel more motivated to want to learn. She recalls teaching her elementary class here at U of M about the various festivals in Yoruba culture. The visual presentation of the lesson piqued the interest of the students enough to make them research which festivals were performed in their home towns in Nigeria and also brought a desire to one day attend one. In fact, one of the students said her dad was so excited about her acquiring this knowledge that he promised to take the family home to Nigeria for the festival later this year.
To describe what teaching does for her briefly, she cited the moment her adult female learners sent her a message appreciating my efforts towards helping them learn without shame. In their message, they mentioned how Enilolobo’s style of pedagogy boosted their morale. This made it all worthwhile. She felt fulfilled!
One of her goals is to one day work with the United Nations on gender equality and equity. To this end, she has a registered NGO (Keeping Her Safe), committed to helping the girl child achieve her goals without fear or shame and also educating them on the importance of speaking up when they feel threatened or shamed.
