SƗ́nwit ku Ttáwax̱t Language and Family
Tayksíki/Allyson Alvarado has been learning her language, Ichishkíin, since she was a middle schooler. She’s since completed a double major (BA) in Native Studies & Environmental Studies. Now in the final stages of her Master’s in Language Teaching Studies, she presents her MA project in this highlight engaging talk. Her research and findings were based on community and educator interviews and surveys. Her presentation poses important questions and valuable ideas for working in your own language community/communities. She covers strategies to help motivate learners, some successful topics in working with language learners, and beyond. She emphasizes the importance of knowing your learners well and adapting to their needs.
Resources
Chat Transcript
11:48:21 From Robert Elliott to Everyone:
TRaiLS resource website https://blogs.uoregon.edu/trails/
11:59:49 From Wendy Sampson to Everyone:
nəxʷsƛ̕ay̕əmúcən (Klallam) sčáʔčaʔ friend/relative/cousin
12:01:02 From Lorraine Suppah to Everyone:
Naimuma family, Ichishkin Language
12:01:39 From Mary Porter to Everyone:
Mary Porter, Sauk Suiattle/Yakama I am in Chiloquin Oregon presently. Northern/Southern Lushootseed
12:01:56 From Joana Jansen to Everyone:
If you are on Facebook, Joliene and Allyson are posting daily- like us at University of Oregon – Northwest Indian Language Institute
12:02:43 From Judith Fernandes to Everyone:
tiliXam chinuk wawa
12:02:53 From Joana Jansen to Everyone:
TRaiLS resource website https://blogs.uoregon.edu/trails/
12:02:57 From AaliyahD/MildredQ to Everyone:
Naymuma-Family (Umatilla dialect)
12:03:20 From Robert Elliott to Everyone:
https://blogs.uoregon.edu/trails/2022-2/introduce-yourself/
12:07:17 From Jesse Blackburn to Everyone:
Níix páčway all, Jesse Blackburn here and glad to learn from Taysíki’s work.
12:30:12 From Keegan Livermore (he/they) to Everyone:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1qF3xfbfgJzlOm0veA6Hk2_E4qtQVV8zxNuYYJcP0L1Q/edit?usp=sharing
12:51:55 From Briar Greisinger to Everyone:
Having language that is relevant to their interests or words they are using regularly is a big motivator
13:02:21 From Judith Fernandes to Everyone:
Sunday brunch is useful idea!
13:02:27 From Joana Jansen to Everyone:
A lot of the motivators we talked about had to do with family and community
13:06:34 From Leila Jones (she/her) to Everyone:
that’s a great idea
13:06:36 From Allison Taylor-Adams (she/her) to Everyone:
That is such a fun idea!
13:06:50 From Allison Taylor-Adams (she/her) to Everyone:
bossing parents around, ha!
13:15:43 From Judith Fernandes to Everyone:
Loved your presentation
13:15:45 From Lisa to Everyone:
where is resouce website?
13:15:50 From Joana Jansen to Everyone:
Thank you Taysiki for bringing us to these discussions!
13:16:01 From Keegan Livermore (he/they) to Everyone:
TRaiLS resource website https://blogs.uoregon.edu/trails/
13:16:08 From Jesse Blackburn to Everyone:
Thank you Taysiki and discussion group! Great topic and ideas
13:16:17 From Briar (any pronouns) to Everyone:
thank you!
13:16:36 From Lisa to Everyone:
thx
13:16:50 From Jesse Blackburn to Everyone:
Take care all
13:17:03 From Allison Taylor-Adams (she/her) to Everyone:
Thank you Taysiki for the presentation and everyone for the conversation!
Video
Additional Resources
Readings/articles:
– First Nations Language Nests: Your Guide to Operating a Successful Language Immersion Program for the Very Young (Developed by First Peoples’ Heritage Language & Culture Council)
– Oneida Peoples’ Original Indigenous Instructions as the Basis for Curriculum https://muse.jhu.edu/article/840611
– Philips, Susan U. (1972). “Participant Structures and Communicative Competence: Warm Springs Children in Community and Classroom.” In Functions of language in the classroom, https://www.worldcat.org/title/participant-structures-and-communicative-competence-warm-springs-children-in-community-and-classroom/oclc/541953378
Videos:
– Gregory Sutterlict YouTube channel (for Yakama Ichiskíin learning): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJcK96mz6jr52leIamIhgpQ
Websites/pages:
-Sapsik’ʷałá Teacher Education Program at UO Department of Education. Designed to address the dire need for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) teachers in Oregon https://education.uoregon.edu/sapsikwala
-Language Teaching Studies MA at UO Department of Linguistics: https://lts.uoregon.edu/program-overview
Reflection questions from Taysíki/Allyson Alvarado
– What motivates you to learn a language? What do you think motivates others to learn a language? What are some commonalities?
-What motivates you, as a learner, to use language outside of class?
-How can “difficult” concepts in learning a language (such as grammar or sounds not in English) be addressed?