About the course

This eight-week course is designed to support and strengthen beginning Indigenous Language teachers, with a focus on teaching language in classrooms. The format includes time to share, learn, and support one another.

The course is an introductory level overview of concepts and practices. The intended audience is teachers who are beginning their language teaching journey or who would like to revisit common practices. We recognize that every language situation is unique. Still there are valuable techniques and best practices that we can draw from and we have much we can share and learn from each other. We hope to help participants develop a varied toolbox of methods and strategies for classroom teaching, to move towards goals that are appropriate for your own classrooms and communities. This is one of two classes in NILI’s core beginning teacher series. The second, Language Revitalization, will be offered at a future date.

You will need an email address, computer, a quiet space to work, and an internet connection that is strong enough to zoom with video on. Plan to spend around three hours per week on this course.

Schedule and Location

All instruction is provided online and occurs asynchronously via Canvas. There will be weekly office hours with instructors via Zoom.

Registration

• **Enrollment is limited and will be closed when the course fills**
• Due to limits on course enrollment, we are limiting registration to two (2) individuals per organization.
• The course has a fee of $150. Registration is now open.
• There are limited fee waivers available, which will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no more than 2 available per language program for Spring 2026. If you have received a fee waiver in the last year for a NILI or NW-NALRC service, you will not be eligible for this fee waiver.
• If you can’t attend the course this time around and would like to be informed the next time the course is offered, please email narlc@uoregon.edu.

Participants who attend at least 2 office hours/meetings with instructors and complete 85% of class work (readings/video viewing, reflections, short homework assignments and a project plan) will receive a certificate of attendance. All work must be fully completed and handed in by June 4th.

Technology

We’ll meet via Zoom, when needed, and will use Canvas, a course management system, for materials and activities. Participants must have an email address. It will be best to join on a computer that has a stable internet connection. Using a computer rather than a mobile device will improve your experience - you will be able to better engage with the course materials.

Session Information

Course topics will build on one another. Each topic will include presentations, examples; hands on activities; discussions between participants; and follow up reflection, activities and readings for the week. All class materials will be posted and available to you online. We welcome your questions and comments any time! You all bring valued knowledge and experience to our work together.

Topics include: Language reclamation and language learning; Indigenous Language teaching methods; Course and lesson planning to teach; Classroom strategies and activities; language beyond the classroom.

Learning Objectives

1. By the end of this course, participants will gain awareness of how languages are learned, and how some Indigenous language communities are engaging in revitalization/restoration. Participants will set a goal for their own teaching and learning practice.
2. By the end of this course, participants will be able to identify and use language teaching methods and activities that are appropriate for Indigenous language teaching and learning.
3. By the end of this course, participants will be able to reflect on their teaching contexts and classroom practices and apply those reflections to establish appropriate goals and inform their teaching in school, after school, or community settings.
4. By the end of this course, participants will be able to create and use unit and lesson plans and identify some of the benefits of planning a lesson. Participants will be able to support larger community language goals within their classrooms.
5. By the end of this course, participants will be familiar with different ways to monitor  and assess student progress and will be able to identify what assessment practices might fit their classroom situation.
6. By the end of this course, participants will identify and apply strategies to help themselves as Indigenous language teacher-learners to work towards their own language learning and teaching goals.
7. By the end of this course, participants will build community with other language teachers.  

We acknowledge the importance of Indigenous languages to individual and community health and well-being, and the connection of language to place. Language teachers and learners take active roles in extending and advocating for language use well beyond the classroom.