How YapTime Works?
YapTime is built around one simple idea: learning to speak an African language works best through short, regular conversations — not long, overwhelming lessons.
That’s why YapTime uses 10-minute WhatsApp conversations instead of traditional classes — perfect for busy professionals and anyone who wants a more flexible way to learn.
No apps. No pressure. Just real conversations. Here’s how it works:
Step 1 : Join YapTime
Pick your language and start your YapTime learning journey!
Learn by daily 10 min conversational lessons (Mon - Fri) designed to help you build confidence, habit and momentum from day one.
We’ll match you with a friendly native tutor based on your availability, goals, and learning style.
Step 2 : Short Daily Lessons
Enjoy daily live 10-minute lessons over WhatsApp (Mon - Fri), focused on real-life speaking, pronunciation, and flow.
Each session is relaxed, supportive, and designed to fit easily into your day.
Your tutor will call you on WhatsApp at a time that suits you to practice real-life conversations, build pronunciation skills, and gain confidence in a supportive, no-pressure environment.
Step 3 : See Progress
By showing up daily, you’ll form the habit of speaking your desired language — moving from simple greetings and everyday phrases to more meaningful conversations.
Each week, you’ll explore new types of everyday conversations drawn from the YapTime bespoke curriculum, specially curated to help you speak naturally with family and friends.
What You’ll Learn on YapTime
Beginner Learners
Speak from day one
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Everyday greetings and introductions
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Asking about family, work, and daily life
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Sharing opinions and talking about key moments
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Short, guided conversations you can use immediately
Intermediate Learners
Build fluency and confidence
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Conversational roleplays based on real-life situations
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Pronunciation, rhythm, and flow
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Speaking more naturally without hesitation
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Confidence in longer, more meaningful conversations
Seun. B, Manchester
"I’ve tried to learn Yoruba for years, but nothing stuck. YapTime’s short daily lessons fit perfectly into my schedule — now I’m finally speaking with my parents in Yoruba!"
Olivia. G, London
"My family used to laugh when I tried to speak Yoruba — now they’re impressed! YapTime gave me the confidence to keep going and actually enjoy the process."
Peter. A, London
"At first I thought 10 minutes wouldn’t be enough. But after four weeks, I’m amazed how much I’ve learned. It’s all about showing up every day — YapTime made that easy."
Why YapTime Was Created?
I’m the co-creator of the hit TV show Meet the Adebanjos on Netflix — a sitcom all about British-Nigerian family life. But for years, I carried a personal secret: I didn’t know how to speak Yoruba.
I had tried to learn before — weekly tutors, online courses, language apps. Nothing stuck. Maybe I was too busy. Maybe I gave up too easily. Or maybe the traditional ways of learning just didn’t work for someone like me.
I’d start... then stop. Every time. No momentum. No confidence.
Then I thought back to when I trained for my first marathon. I didn’t become a runner overnight. I built up to it — a little bit, every day. That’s when it hit me: language learning is just like training — it’s a habit.
So I built YapTime — first as an experiment on myself. Ten minutes a day. No pressure. Real conversations. The goal was to show up, not be perfect.
Twenty days turned into fifty. Fifty into a hundred.
And now? I can have full conversations with my parents — in Yoruba. It's been one of the most empowering experiences of my life.
YapTime wasn’t just created for learners. It was created by one.
Andrew Osayemi
Frequently asked questions
What is YapTime and how does it work?
YapTime helps busy adults (18+) build confidence in spoken Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa through short, live WhatsApp lessons with friendly native tutors. You’ll learn for 10 minutes a day, Monday to Friday, through real conversations that fit easily into your schedule.
Each 4-week cycle includes 20 lessons and renews automatically every 4 weeks — you can cancel anytime.
How do the WhatsApp lessons work?
Your tutor will message you each morning to confirm a time that suits you.
At that time, they’ll call you on WhatsApp for a short, voice-only lesson focused on real conversation and pronunciation. No video, no Zoom, no stress — just comfortable, focused learning.
What will I learn?
You’ll learn practical conversational phrases you can use with family and friends — from simple greetings and everyday expressions to natural, flowing conversations.
Each month follows the YapTime Curriculum, which focuses on real-life conversations rather than memorising words or grammar rules.
Every student learns at their own pace, and your tutor will guide you with patience and encouragement. No pressure. Just steady progress, one day at a time.
What if I can't speak the language at all?
That’s exactly why YapTime exists!
We help adult beginners (18+) build confidence with friendly tutors, real conversations, and zero pressure.
Can children take YapTime lessons?
At the moment, YapTime is designed for adults (18+) only.
Our lessons are structured for busy professionals and adult learners, focusing on real-life conversations and cultural context. We may offer a version for younger learners in the future.
Do I have to do the same time every day?
Not at all. You can choose a different time each day depending on your schedule. Your tutor will check in each morning to confirm what works best for you. This flexibility is especially helpful for busy adults balancing work, family, and learning.
What happens if I miss a day?
Life happens! If you miss a day, you can do a longer catch-up lesson later in the week.
Lessons are designed to be taken daily (Mon–Fri) to build a habit, but you’ll never lose a session if you communicate with your tutor.
What if I go on holiday?
As long as you have WhatsApp access, you can keep learning from anywhere in the world. Prefer to pause while you’re away? Just let us know, and we’ll adjust your schedule.
Can lessons be carried over?
No. Lessons are designed to build consistency through daily practice.
Missed lessons can’t be carried over to future weeks, but you can make them up with a longer session.
What support or resources do I get?
After each session, you’ll receive:
A personalised voice note from your tutor
A vocabulary recap list
Optional PDFs or practice prompts to help you revise at your own pace
How are the tutors selected and trained?
All YapTime tutors are native speakers based in Nigeria. They’re carefully selected for their fluency, friendliness, and teaching ability, and receive full training in the YapTime method.
We monitor every tutor’s performance and feedback to ensure a consistently high-quality experience.
Can I choose or change my tutor?
We’ll match you with a tutor based on your schedule and goals.
If the match doesn’t feel right, we’re happy to switch you to another tutor — no stress, no extra cost.