Your First Steps into Ethiopian Languages: The Beginner's Journey!
Why Start Here?
Ready to unlock the beautiful sounds and rich culture of Ethiopia? Our beginner program in Amharic and Afaan Oromo is designed to be engaging, practical, and fun. Forget dry textbooks – start speaking with confidence and connection.
1. Essential Foundations: Building Your Communication Toolbox
Greetings & Introductions
- Amharic: Salam Nɛh/Nɛsh, Endemen Nɛh/Nɛsh, Amesegnalehu
- Afaan Oromo: Akkam, Nagaa jirtaa?, Galatoomaa
- Introduce yourself: "My name is...", "Where are you from?", "Nice to meet you"
Polite Phrases & Social Etiquette
- "Please," "Excuse me," "Sorry," "You're welcome"
- Cultural cues for respectful conversation
Numbers & Counting
- Count from 1–100
- Use numbers in real life: prices, age, quantities
2. Navigating Your World: Practical Language for Everyday Situations
Getting Around
- "Where is...?", "How do I get to...?"
- Taxi, bus, car, walking
- Left, right, straight
Food & Drink
- Order at restaurants/cafes
- Food items: injera, shiro, coffee
- "I like...", "I don't like...", asking for the bill
Shopping & Bargaining
- "How much is this?"
- "I want...", "Do you have...?"
- Basic bargaining skills
Asking for Help
- "Help!", "I need a doctor"
- "Can you help me?"
- Reading warning signs
3. Grammar Basics: Your Foundation for Fluency
Basic Sentence Structure
- Affirmative & negative sentences
- Common verbs: to be, have, go, eat
Pronouns
- Personal: I, you, he, she, we, they
- Possessive: my, your, his, her
Questions
- Yes/No questions
- Who, what, where, when, why, how
Vocabulary Boost
- Common nouns and objects
- Descriptive adjectives
4. Cultural & Listening Insights
- Polite gestures, greetings, social customs
- Pronunciation drills & phonics (focus on spoken)
- Simple listening activities and comprehension
By the end of this stage, you’ll be able to:
- Introduce yourself & greet others
- Order food, shop, and ask for help
- Form basic questions and sentences
- Engage with Ethiopian culture respectfully