Nsupe (Dictation) – Basic 3 Igbo Lesson Note (Third Term)

Nsupe (dictation) is an exercise in which the teacher reads out words or sentences and the pupils write them down correctly in their books.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. State what Nsupe (dictation) is and why we do it.
2. Follow the correct steps before, during and after dictation.
3. Write dictated Igbo words and simple sentences with correct spelling.
4. Use the dotted vowels (ị, ọ, ụ) and double letters (mm, nn) correctly.
5. Find and correct spelling mistakes in written Igbo words.

What is the purpose of Nsupe (dictation)?

The purpose of Nsupe is to train pupils to listen carefully and write Igbo words correctly.

• Ime ka ụmụaka mụta ide mkpọlite: pupils learn the correct spelling of Igbo words.
• Ime ka ha nụ okwu nke ọma: pupils learn to hear each word clearly.
• Ime ka ha mata otú e si ede okwu Igbo: pupils learn how Igbo words are written.
• Ime ka ha mụta ịdị nwayọ n’ọgụgụ: pupils learn to be calm and patient when reading and writing.

What are the steps of Nsupe (dictation)?

Dictation has three stages: before dictation, during dictation and after dictation.

Tupu Nsupe (Before dictation)

1. Kwadoo akwụkwọ na pensụl: get your book and pencil ready.
2. Nọdụ nke ọma: sit properly.
3. Tie ntị nke ọma: be ready to listen.
4. Nọọ jụụ: keep quiet.

N’oge Nsupe (During dictation)

1. Gee ntị nke ọma: listen carefully to the whole word.
2. Rịọ ka e kwughachi ma ị nụghị: ask for repetition if you did not hear.
3. Dee nwayọ nwayọ: write slowly and neatly.
4. Lelee ihe ị dere: check what you wrote.

Mgbe Nsupe Gwụrụ (After dictation)

1. Gụọ ihe ị dere: read what you wrote.
2. Dozie mmehie ọbụla: correct every mistake.
3. Jụọ ajụjụ ma ị nwee: ask questions if you have any.

What are some words for Nsupe (Set 1: simple words)?

Set 1 contains short everyday Igbo words that pupils can hear and write easily.

Okwu otu otu (Everyday words)

1. Aha (name)
2. Ebe (place)
3. Ụlọ (house)
4. Mmiri (water)
5. Nri (food)
6. Akwụkwọ (book)
7. Anya (eye)
8. Aka (hand)
9. Ụkwụ (leg)
10. Isi (head)

Family and animal words

1. Nne (mother)
2. Nna (father)
3. Nwa (child)
4. Nkịta (dog)
5. Nwamba (cat)
6. Ọkụkọ (chicken)

What are some words for Nsupe (Set 2: longer and compound words)?

Set 2 contains longer words, some of which are made by joining two words together.

Longer words

1. Akwụkwọ (book, leaf)
2. Ụtụtụ (morning)
3. Ehihie (afternoon)
4. Mgbede (evening)

Compound words

1. Ụlọakwụkwọ (school), from ụlọ (house) and akwụkwọ (book).
2. Ezinụlọ (family)
3. Egwuregwu (game, play)

How do we dictate sentences (Ahịrịokwu Nsupe)?

Sentence dictation is the reading out of a full sentence in small parts for pupils to write with correct spelling and punctuation.

Ahịrịokwu mfe (Simple sentences)

1. Ada na-aga ụlọakwụkwọ.
2. Nne m na-esi nri.
3. Mmiri dị n’ite.
4. Ọ nwere akwụkwọ.
5. Anyị na-eri ji.

Slightly longer sentences

1. Ụmụaka na-egwu egwuregwu n’ogige.
2. Onye nkụzi na-akụziri anyị Igbo.
3. Ezinụlọ anyị na-eri nri ọnụ.

What are the Nsupe practice sets?

The practice sets are word and sentence lists that the teacher reads aloud while pupils write.

Practice Set A: Family words

1. Nna
2. Nne
3. Nwanne
4. Nne ochie
5. Nna ochie

Practice Set B: School words

1. Ụlọakwụkwọ
2. Onye nkụzi
3. Ụmụakwụkwọ
4. Akwụkwọ
5. Pensụl

Practice Set C: Simple sentences

1. M na-aga ụlọakwụkwọ.
2. Nkịta na-eche ụlọ.
3. Ọkụkọ na-amụ akwa.

What are the common spelling challenges in Igbo?

The common spelling challenges are dotted vowels, double letters and letter pairs that make one sound.

Dotted vowels

A dot under i, o or u makes a different letter (ị, ọ, ụ), so leaving it out changes the spelling.

Double letters

• mm: mmiri (water), mmadụ (person).
• nn: nna (father), nne (mother).

Letter pairs (digraphs)

• gw: agwọ (snake), ugwu (hill).
• kw: akwụkwọ (book), ikwu (to say).
• nw: anwụ (sun).

What are the dictation tips?

Dictation tips are simple habits that help pupils write what they hear.

For students

• Tie ntị nke ọma: listen carefully.
• Rịọ ka e kwughachi: ask for repetition.
• Dee nwayọ nwayọ: write slowly.
• Lelee ihe ị dere: check what you wrote.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Writing too fast: this causes missing letters.
• Not listening to the whole word: this causes wrong endings.
• Confusing similar sounds: listen again and ask for repetition.
• Forgetting punctuation marks: end each sentence with a full stop.

How is Nsupe marked?

Nsupe is marked on spelling, letter formation, punctuation, neatness and following instructions.

What teachers look for

• Correct spelling: every letter and dot is in place.
• Proper letter formation: letters are written clearly.
• Correct punctuation: full stops and capital letters are used.
• Neat handwriting: the work is easy to read.
• Following instructions: the pupil writes what was dictated.

Scoring guide

How do we run a progressive dictation in class?

Progressive dictation moves from easy items to harder ones in the order below.

1. Start with short words such as aha, ebe and nri.
2. Move to longer and compound words such as ezinụlọ.
3. End with simple sentences.
4. Pupils check their own work.
5. Discuss the common mistakes together.

Practice exercises

Exercise 1: Spelling practice

Teacher dictates, pupils write:

1. _______ (aha)
2. _______ (ebe)
3. _______ (mmiri)
4. _______ (akwụkwọ)
5. _______ (ụlọakwụkwọ)

Exercise 2: Choose the correct spelling

1. (mmiri / miri): water
2. (nna / na): father
3. (akwụkwọ / akukwo): book
4. (ụlọ / ulo): house

Exercise 3: Write the dictated sentences

Teacher reads each sentence slowly, pupils write:

1. Nne m na-esi nri.
2. Mmiri dị n’ite.
3. Anyị na-eri ji.

Exercise 4: Find and correct the mistakes

Teacher gives incorrectly spelled words:

1. miri → _______
2. na (for father) → _______
3. akukwo → _______
4. uloakukwo → _______

Exercise 5: Self-dictation practice

Pupils read these words aloud to themselves and write them:

1. Egwuregwu
2. Nwanne
3. Ezinụlọ
4. Ụmụakwụkwọ

Evaluation

1. What is Nsupe (dictation)?
2. State three things a pupil should do during dictation.
3. Write the correct spelling of: miri, akukwo, uloakukwo.
4. Write two Igbo words that have the double letters mm or nn.
5. Write the Igbo sentence for “My mother is cooking food”.

Assignment

1. Ask someone at home to dictate five family words in Igbo to you, such as nna, nne and nwanne.
2. Write them in your book, then check each one against Practice Set A and correct any mistakes.