Learning Igbo in London: reflections from a student-selected module of learning a language

INTRODUCTION

There is the noise of children everywhere: children laughing, playing, screaming. Washing hangs out of the windows to dry; some windows are smashed. I walk into the three-bedroom flat, shared by three families. There is a sweet smell of egusu (melon seed) being fried in palm oil, the TV is on mute, and music is playing from a CD player. I am offered a malt (non-alcoholic beer) to drink, and welcomed in Igbo: ‘Nnoo, Ndeewo nwunye anyi!’ (‘Welcome, our wife!’).