The WAEC syllabus for Yoruba is the topic you must study to sit for the examination. It contains the aims and objectives, notes and format for the Yoruba exam.
Studying the Yoruba subject is necessary for your exam preparation. It will serve as a guide for you to know the topics to read. There are also notes on concepts you should pay attention to learning.
Exam preparations without using the Yoruba syllabus are like going to the farm without your agricultural tools. You will end up not being productive.
Ensure you begin your exam preparations using the syllabus.
This post contains the Yoruba and recommended textbooks of the West African Examination Council (WAEC).
WAEC Yoruba Syllabus
YORÙBÁ
PREAMBLE:
This examination syllabus is based entirely on the Yoruba curriculum developed by NERDC in 2007.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The syllabus is designed to:
- enable candidates speak, read and write competently in Yoruba and communicate effectively with other speakers of the language;
- familiarize candidates with the sound system, grammatical structures and other features of Yoruba Language;
- acquaint candidates with the necessary tools needed for a thorough appreciation of Yoruba speech usage, literature and ulture (customs and institutions).
SCHEME OF EXAMINATION
The examination will consist of two papers, Papers 1 and 2. It will test the following aspects of Yoruba Language: comprehension, composition, sound system, grammar and translation.
It will also test selected texts of oral and written literature as well as Basic Principles of Literary Appreciation, Customs and Institutions. The rubrics shall be written in Yoruba.
PAPER 1 shall contain 60 multiple-choice objective questions on Language, Literature and Culture. The paper shall have three sections, Section A, B and C.
Candidates will be required to answer all the questions in 1 hour for 60 marks. The questions shall be distributed as follows:
Section A: LANGUAGE
- Comprehension (2 short passages) – 10 items
- Composition – 4 items
- Sound System – 6 items
- Grammar – 6 items
- Translation – 4 items
Section B: LITERATURE
Basic Principles of Literary Appreciation – 4 items
Oral Literature
- Prose – 3
- Poetry – 3 – 9 items
- Drama – 3
Written Literature –
- Prose – 3
- Poetry – 3 – 9 items
- Drama – 3
Section C: CULTURE
Customs – 4 items
Institutions – 4 items
8 items
Total = (30 + 22 + 8) = 60 items
CONTENT
The content for Paper 1 shall be the same as for Paper 2
In Section B, all questions other than those on Basic Principles of Literary Appreciation will be on the set books for Paper 2.
PAPER 2: Shall be essay type questions on language, literature and culture. It will also have three sections, Sections A, B and C, have 2 hour duration and carry 100 marks.
Candidates will be required to answer six questions in all: three questions from Section A; two questions from Section B and one question from Section C. They will also be required to answer all the questions in Yoruba using the official Yoruba orthography and metalanguage.
CONTENT
Section A: LANGUAGE
Composition
Candidates are advised to write 300 words and spend not more than 45 minutes on this section. The essay will be any of the following types:
- Narrative
- Descriptive
- Argumentative
- Expository
- Dialogue
- Debate
- Letter writing
Sound System
Candidates will be required to answer one question from the two to be set.
Areas to cover include:
- Vowels, Consonants and Syllabic nasal
- their production in terms of place and manner
- their basic phonetic and phonemic classification
- Syllable structure
- Sound processes, e.g. vowel harmony
assimilation
elision
- Sound system aspect of the orthography
- Tones and tone notation
Grammar
Candidates will be required to answer one question from the two questions to be made available.
Areas to cover are:
- Word structure and word formation
- Numerals: basic and derived
- Word classes: nouns, verbs, adverbs, pronouns, adjectives, etc
- Grammatical categories: subject, object, complement, predicate, number, person, tense, aspect, mood, etc.
- Phrases and clauses
- The structure and type of sentences.
SECTION B: Literature
This section is made up of Oral Literature and Written Literature.
Oral Literature – Prose, Poetry, Drama
In Oral Literature, there will be 3 set books covering the different genres. 1 question will be set from each set book and candidates will be required to answer any 1 of the 3 questions.
Written Literature – Prose, Poetry, Drama
In Written Literature, there will be three set books covering the different genres. One question will be set from each set book and candidates will be required to answer any one of the three questions.
SECTION C: Culture
This section will consist of questions on customs and institutions. Two questions will be set and candidates will be required to answer any one of them.
Areas to cover will include:
Customs
- Make-up and adornments
- In-door and out-door games
- Pregnancy and its care
- Naming
- Home training: greetings, respect for superiors, cleanliness, tolerance, integrity, hard work, etc.
- Yoruba foods
- Non-verbal communication
- Funerals: traditional and modern methods
- Inheritance: traditional and modern methods.
Institutions
- Traditional occupations
- Marriage
- Politics: family structure, age grades, chieftaincy, Obaship, etc.
- Child care
- Ancestors
- Yoruba beliefs about Olodumare (God), deities/divinities, other invisible forces, etc.
- Modern religions: Islam, Christianity, etc.
- Economy: adverts, money lending, cooperative efforts, etc.
NB: To enhance the teaching of this language, it is recommended that schools provide audio-visual materials such as television sets, radios, tape-recorders and tapes, cameras, charts and artefacts.
Recommended Textbooks
LANGUAGE
1. Abiodun, Jibola: (1996) Aroko Ati Aayan, Ogbufo. Majab (Ilorin)
2. Owolabi, K: (1989) Ijinle Itupale Ede Yoruba Extension Publications (Ibadan)
3. Bamgbose, A: (1991) Fonoloji Ati Girama Yoruba. University Press (Ibadan)
LITERATURE
ORAL LITERATURE
PROSE
1. Ojo, Olagoke: (2005) Ijapa Tiroko Oko Yannibo Longman (Lagos)
POETRY
2. Abimbola, Wande: (2004) Awon Oju Odu University Press Mereerindinlogun (Ibadan) (ppi-xxxi; 52 – 96)
DRAMA
3. Ogunniran, L: (2007) Eegun Alare Macmillan (Lagos)
WRITTEN LITERATURE
PROSE
4. Eso-Oluborode, Sunday: Olorunsogo Sumob Publishers (1994) (Osogbo)
POETRY
5. Olayiwola, Ademola: Akowe ko wura Extension Publications (2007) (Ibadan)
DRAMA
6. Awe, Debo: (2004) Apoti Alakara Elyon Pulibshers (Ilesa)
CULTURE
1. Adeoye, C.L.: (1979) Asa Ati Ise Yoruba University Press (Ibadan)
2. Olajubu, O. (1978) Iwe Asa Ibile Yoruba Longman (Lagos)
3. Daramola, A. ati Jeje. Asa Ati Orisa Onibon-Oje (Ibadan)
REFERENCES
LANGUAGE
- Bamgbose (ed): (1983) Iwe Ede Iperi Yoruba Vol. 1 YSAN/NERDC
- Awobuluyi (ed): (1990) Iwe Ede Iperi Yoruba Vo. ll UPL/NERDC
- Egbe Akomolede ati Asa Eko Ede Yoruba Ode Oni SSI – III Macmillan Yoruba, Naijiria: (1988)
- Ajayi W.B.: (1989) Egberun Ibeere Ewonidahun Hienemann
- Mustapha D-et al: (1983) Osupa Ede Yoruba I-III Nelson (1987) Iwe Eko Ede Yoruba Titun I-III UPL
- Owolabi, O. et al: (1984) Ijinle Ede ati Litireso Yoruba Evans
- Babalola, A. et al: (1988) Iwe Imodotun Yoruba I-III Longman
- Awoyale, Y. et al: (1984) Eko Ede Yoruba Ode Oni JSI-III Macmillan
- Egbe Akomolede ati Yoruba Gbode Macmillan AsaYoruba, Naijiria: (1986)
- Odujinrin, J.S.A.: Modern Lesson in Yoruba Part I-III Odujinrin Publishers
- Awobuluyi, O. (1978) Essentials of Yoruba Grammar UPL
- Bamgbose, A. (1967) A short Yoruba Grammar Heinemann
- Akinlade, Kola: (1987) Owe Pelu Itumo Longman
- Fabunmi, M.A.(1969) Yoruba Idioms. AUP
- Delano, I.O. Owe Lesin Oro UPL
- Koseemanii, Supo: (1987) Owe ati Asayan Oro Yoruba Vantage
- Olopade, A: (1991) Asayan Akanlo – Ede Yoruba Gbemi Sodipo Press
- Adewoyin, S.Y. (2006) Imo Ede, Asa ati Corpomutt Publishers Litireso Yoruba 1-III
LITERATURE
- Alaba and Ogunsipe: (1982) Iwe Afinimona Lori Awon Nelson
- Iwe Fagunwa
- Ogunsina, Bisi: (1981) Iwe Akoyawo Alaye lori O le ku UPL
- Egbe Akomolede ati Asa Ewi Yoruba Lakotun 1-III Evans
- Yoruba, Naijiria: (2007)
CUSTOMS AND INSTITUTIONS
- Ladele, T.A.A. et al (1986) Akojopo Ijinle Asa Yoruba Macmillan
- Adeoye, C.L.: (1985) Igbagbo ati Esin Yoruba Evans
- Opadotun, O.: (1966) Aroko Vantage
- Adeniji, A.A.: (1987) Ogun ni ile Yoruba Longman
- Adeoye, C.L.: (1982) Oruko Yoruba UPL.
