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

Language learning...

It amazes me how much time can be spent on-line and still nothing gets accomplished. I have spent the week trying to get caught up on personal business. Homework has been fun, working through the quirks of the language software. I even learned how to create my own flash card list.
Hadley, chapter 2: Caused me to reflect intently on my own learning of second languages (Spanish and Ojibwe) and my own teaching methods or approaches to language learning. What has worked for me and what I try to incorporate in my teaching method is multiple stimulus in content with repetition, always taking an individual approach to learning styles. People who I view as successful second language learners agree that the immersion experience is the best way to learn a language. I have only recently under gone a brief immersion experience.
I agree to some extent the genetic theory of language learning because of my deep desire and commitment to learning and preserving the Ojibwe language (my Native language, not my first language). When I hear the Ojibwe language it instills a calmness in me. A sense of fulfillment or contentment (even if I don't know all of the words). I justify this feeling as a genetic memory.
I also agree that learning language at an early age is very different from learning a second language as an adult. Along with age comes learned responses and set ways of dealing with new stimuli. These cognitive responses become more resilient with age. In my own case, I have been a life long learner of language, however I do not seem to be able to advance past "novice" stage of language learning in either case. I understand more than I am able to communicate in both languages. I have travel around the world and felt when in any situation in any country when not knowing the language...that people find a way to communicate their basic needs in order to help someone out.
I guess my experience and thoughts would support both the empiricist and rationalist points of view.

I spent the week catching up on all of my on-line business and doing homework. I have enjoyed discovering all of the quirks and in's and out's of what the language software. I even have learned to create my own flash card lists.

The Hadley reading caused me to reflect intently on my own second language learning. I believe my desire to learn Ojibwemowin is genetic.

Yaaaahooooo!

Today wireless Internet was installed! I don't know why the call it wireless, as there is still a wire that runs across the side of the house, through the wall and into the computer. It has to be plugged into the computer (unless I want to spent another $80 to buy a router), so I am sure it will not work when the electricity is out.

Never the less, just in time to catch up as I feel I have been falling behind in my postings. My days of sitting at coffee shops and McDonald's are history! Thank goodness, as I feel I have gained a few extra pounds drinking lattes, eating french fries and cheese burgers. Even though it was a costly thing to do (installing wireless), I figure I am saving $5 a pop for each of the three visits a week at someplace with Internet access. Essentially it will work out to be the same cost as the monthly charge for access at home. Plus the benefit of being able to work when it is convenient for me and not having to sneak on-line during my breaks at work. Hooraah, do a little dance!

Another Day....

Aaniin Anishinaabeg,

Well, I have tried to post twice this week and nothing shows up...Micky D's always seems to cut me off while I am saving to the site.

I finally received my digital camera and have been extremely frustrated as no matter how much I read about the operations, I cannot seem to get the hang of it.

Wireless is being installed next week after a ton of paperwork and a lot of money down. I am sure you will all be sick of me once I have unlimited access!

I have enjoyed reading everyone elses blogs and am happy that Amanda and Gabe have now become followers to my site also!

I am a bit overwhelmed this semester but very engaged in our classroom assignments. I am thankful for all of the support from my fellow students and instructors.

I continue to play and have fun with the new language software and have a list of "how do I..." questions. Seems the more I play the more I discover about technology and Ojibwe Language.

Seems all I have been learning has opened many doors in my inner self and I have been dreaming of people from my past. People I have not thought of in along time and people whom have disappeared from my immediate reality. I am trying hard to listen to my heart and figure out what it all means. I am greatful that I have been gifted by knowing so many incredible people, past and present. Nagaj, Makwa