Teachers are the key ensuring that Lakota is taught effectively and successfully. That is why LLC is committed to educating Lakota teachers through trainings and workshops to the highest levels possible. A well-prepared teacher is the best indicator of success in the classroom and the best way to ensure the survival of the language.
LLC trains teachers to utilize context-based language teaching methods that mimic natural language acquisition. Teachers are trained to encourge children to learn Lakota through the things they see, touch, and experience rather than from translation from English.
Teacher-trainings are held across the Dakotas at participating Schools and Colleges. Recent trainings have been held on Standing Rock and Pine Ridge.
Here are what some of the teachers had to say about their workshop experiences:
- I am a native speaker but I never learned reading and writing the language at school, I never had an opportunity to study my own language. That is why I am so grateful for this training, because I am learning a lot about my native language. Being a native speaker is not enough to be a good teacher.
- I now understand why it is important to write our language consistently, to help the students learn the words with better understanding.
- I know the activities are in the book but seeing them be done (context) really made it clear to me. These two days have given me confidence in teaching and confidence in the survival of the language. The training was perfect. I want more!
- I sure did learn a lot. I thought I was a fluent speaker, but the instructor puts me in the shade. Everything in this training was knowledgeable to me. I still have a lot to learn.
- I learned how important it is to motivate students and involve them by making the classes interesting and enjoyable.
- I learned lots!!! I learned more from this class about my native language than from any other class I've attended. It is because I was very comfortable with the instructor, who is an excellent teacher and has compassion for the Lakota language. I am very encouraged and enlightened. I learned that if taught right anyone can learn a language. It is the teacher and the methods used.
- When we were working with the new orthography, a lot of the problems I am experiencing at school became clear to me. I can see how with this orthography the children will be able to sound out new words and be able to pronounce them easier. This was an awesome presentation. Ata khili.
TEACHER RESOURCES
• Lakota Classroom Phrases
• Lakota Letters Flashcards
3rd graders using the Level 1 textbook on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
Some of the online teaching resources that we recommend are listed below:
• Language By Command The Total Physical Response approach to learning language by James J. Asher
• "Using
TPR-Storytelling to Develop Fluency and Literacy
in Native American Languages" by Gina P.
Cantoni
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