Shxweli Language Program
- Background |
- Our Vision and Mission |
- About the Program |
- Courses and Materials | Program History
Program History
In 1994, the Stó:lō Shxweli Halq'eméylem Language Program had its modest beginnings. A group of twenty (20) Stó:lō community people were brought together for the purpose of learning Halq'eméylem to become teachers of the language. Their aim was to learn Halq'eméylem, learn to become teachers, and to develop curriculum in a short six months. The Program had ambitious goals, and started a movement in the Stó:lō community for some serious language revival activity. As a result of the early beginnings:
- Four levels of Halq'eméylem Language courses were established to be taught to adults, including curriculum and teachers' guides;
- Teaching resources for the courses were developed, i.e. tapes, games, charts, other;
- Students who completed levels III and IV were able to become teachers of the lower levels;
- Some of the participants graduated from the Native Adult Instructors Diploma (NAID) and Provincial Instructors Diploma (PID), and other courses such as Brain Based Learning to help them become skilled teachers;
- To become more proficient in the Halq'eméylem Language, Stó:lō Shxweli, through the Secwepemc Cultural Education Society (SCES), offered a Certificate Program in Halq'eméylem Language Proficiency. Subsequent to completing this program, students were offered the option of participating in a Halq'eméylem language Mentorship course also offered through the Secwepemc Cultural Education Society (SCES);
- Participants who have participated in various of the activities above are now teaching in a variety of communities, including: public schools, Band schools, four levels of Halq'eméylem courses, informally in their communities, and to their children at home;
- Stó:lō Shxweli has begun developing textbooks and resources for the offering of an Intensive Fluency Halq'eméylem immersion program, a 50-week, and 7-hour/day program. The Intensive Fluency program is designed to develop highly fluent speakers of Halq'eméylem.
