This intensive weekend course aims to equip participants with foundational reading, writing, and digital communication skills in Hausa. Through structured learning, participants will not only become proficient in the Hausa alphabet, reading comprehension, and writing, but also gain practical experience in using Hausa in digital environments, including social media and online platforms like WikiHausa. This program provides a hands-on introduction to WikiHausa, guiding participants on how to contribute, navigate, and benefit from the platform's extensive Hausa resources.

Course Outline and Key Topics Covered:

Weekend 1

Day 1 (Saturday):

1. Introduction to Hausa Alphabet and Pronunciation

• Overview of the Hausa alphabet with pronunciation practice.

• Drills for recognizing letters, tones, and building phonetic awareness.

2. Vocabulary Building and Basic Sentence Structure

• Introduction to everyday vocabulary and simple sentence formation.

• Writing exercises focusing on building cohesive, short sentences.

Day 2 (Sunday):

1. Reading Practice with Simple Texts

• Guided reading of beginner-level texts (stories, dialogues).

• Group exercises for reinforcing comprehension and pronunciation.

2. Introduction to Writing Short Paragraphs

• Paragraph structuring: topic sentences, coherence, and transitions.

• Practice exercises for creating cohesive paragraphs on basic topics.

Weekend 2

Day 3 (Saturday):

1. Punctuation, Common Errors, and Digital Writing Skills

• Overview of punctuation rules, common spelling mistakes, and grammar essentials.

• Typing Hausa characters and tones on standard keyboards.

2. Writing Practice and Social Media Engagement

• Techniques for effective Hausa writing on social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).

• Approaches for crafting culturally relevant posts and engaging a Hausa-speaking audience.

Day 4 (Sunday):

1. Digital Platform Application and WikiHausa Introduction

• Practical guidance on using Hausa for online communication, email writing, and professional contexts.

• Introduction to WikiHausa: an overview of the platform's mission, resources, and functionality.

• Hands-on session on how to navigate WikiHausa, contribute content, and use its resources effectively.

2. Final Review, Feedback, and Summary Project

• Open discussion for questions, peer feedback, and final short projects.

• Assignment: Write a short piece (e.g., a personal story, blog post, or social media update) using skills learned, with the option to contribute it to WikiHausa.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:

• Recognize, pronounce, and write the Hausa alphabet.

• Read beginner-level Hausa texts and comprehend their content.

• Write structured paragraphs and short stories with correct punctuation.

• Communicate effectively in Hausa on digital platforms.

• Navigate and contribute to WikiHausa, enhancing the Hausa-language content base.

Assessment and Evaluation:

• Session Quizzes: Quick checks on vocabulary, sentence structure, and WikiHausa navigation skills.

• Final Project: Short written piece (e.g., a story or blog post) to be presented in Hausa and, optionally, submitted to WikiHausa.

This course is ideal for learners seeking to develop basic literacy in Hausa for both traditional and digital use, while gaining access to a collaborative online community through WikiHausa.