Teaching Language and Culture

I received permission this week to do an Ojibwe Language and Culture program at work. I have been busy designing my curriculum. It will be a simple introductory program, one hour per week for four weeks, brown bag lunch which introduces Casino Associates to Ojibwe language and culture. I figure it is a good way to practice my language and teaching skills. I plan on implementing some of the software technology as a class room visual and language practice. Even though there will be some language involved (introduction to double vowel system and general language skills) the cultural component is what I am focusing on, due to the fact that many people who work at our Casino have no knowledge of our language or culture. I plan on building on past programs I have done for beginning Ojibwe language students and enhancing it through technology. I am excited and at the same time a little frightened.

My speech is coming along slowly. I called an elder today who has agreed to work with me this coming week. Again I am excited and fearful. I believe the way we grow as a person is to over come our fears. Wish me luck!

Learning Language

I broke down and got a router. Yes freedom is a wonderful thing.
I enjoy working with the language software, although I must admit I haven't spent every day working with it. I usually go for several hours about every third day. My other classes seem so overwhelming to keep up with that there is little brain power left over. I especially enjoy putting my many flash cards up, gives me a chance to review, categorize words, and working on spelling. I have not gotten into the voice recording features yet. My fear of speaking....
The Wimba experience was interesting. Hard to follow, I will watch it again. It is easy to get distracted working at home.
I have been thinking about my speech and look forward to putting effort into it after the break.
I enjoy the under lying humor of the Deer (Dragon) Hunter. Despite a lot of repeating of sentences and vocabulary, very little of it actually sticks. Seems to stick when I can find relevance to use the words or phrase in daily life. I do believe my ear is improving.
Mi'iw Makwa

Hadley Chapt 3

I know I was one of the first to criticize this textbook, however I have to admit there is a lot of valuable information here. I also have to admit that I only fell asleep twice this chapter. Honestly not out of boredom, the opposite. My brain got so tired, as the text made me evaluate and consider all of my experiences with second language learners and teachers. More exhausting than anything else.

The question posed to me was "Which of the main five hypothesis did you not agree with? Why?" Truthfully I do not feel disagreeable to any of them. I can see from my own experiences which seemed more effective and why. But I do not disagree with any. For example hypothesis number one. "Opportunities must be provided for students to practice using language in a range of contexts likely to be encountered in the target culture." I have little experience with this type of teaching opportunity. Especially when being encouraged to express individual meanings, opportunities for interactive communication between students, creative learning practices, and authentic language instruction. I my own mind maybe if I had more experience with this type of language learning, maybe I would be at a more proficient level of learning. I know of few teacher who utilize this beyond generalized questions and answers of How, when, where generic questions and generic answers that are not necessarily authentic questions or answers when it comes to a particular culture. What little of this type of learning I have experienced has been very valuable and useful. I am very interested in reading about others reactions to the chapter. Mi'iw Makwa