Heritage Language Programs - Indigenous Languages
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Language Program
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Address: 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347
Contact person: Tony A. Johnson
Cultural Education Coordinator and Acting Cultural Resources Division Manager
Email: tony.johnson@grandronde.org
Telephone: 503-879-2084
Fax: 503-879-1352
Web address: www.grandronde.org
Levels
- PreK-Grade 5
- Adults
Languages/Dialects taught: Over 25 dialects of multiple languages were associated with the early Grand Ronde reservation. We teach the community language Chinuk Wawa.
Program Description
Purposes and goals of the program : Revitalize the community language, Chinuk Wawa, and document all of the languages associated with the early Grand Ronde reservation.
Type of program
- Immersion
- Partial immersion
- Bilingual program
- Before or after school program
- Five hours day five days a week preschool immersion classroom
- Five days a week partial immersion kindergarten
- Developing 1st and 2nd grade curriculum for blended immersion classroom
- After-school bilingual language program (K-5)
- Adult language classes offered for university credit. These are well attended by high school students who take courses for high school "world language" equivalency.
Program mission statement : The cultural education program's mission is to preserve and perpetuate the cultural and linguistic heritage of the original tribes of the Grand Ronde community.
Program Origins :The program was founded around 1997 by the Culture and Heritage Board initiative.
Parents' expectations for the program : They share the goal of revitalizing the heritage language. Preschool immersion parents have a contract that requires participation in the program.
Staff's expectations for theprogram: A common effort to revitalize the language
Students
Native Americans: 95%
Preschool, kindergarten and after care are native only programs, funded by the Tribe. Adult classes are open to the community.
Identification of heritage speakers The program identities the heritage speakers, because in this community we generally know everyone associated with this language. In addition, we have conducted minor language surveys within the community.
Percentage of students who complete the program : 95%
Percentage of students who continue to study the heritage language after completing the program : 90% of those with the opportunity
Reasons students don’t continue program : Some students cannot complete the program because the preschool program demands parent attendance, and some parents find they cannot follow this requirement.
Students' attitudes toward the language varieties they speak : Pride. This is one of our purposes, to increase self esteem among community youth.
Teachers/Adminstrators/Staff
Number of staff in program : 8 and 1 contractor
Languages in which staff members are proficient : We have developed a Chinuk Wawa language proficiency test. Staff must test above level four of our benchmarks to receive an American Indian Languages Teaching License. Most staff have tested to at least a level 5.
Teacher's certificate : Teachers will test soon and likely all will hold a state American Indian Languages Teaching License.
Credentials:
- Teacher certification from Oregon
- American Indian Language Teaching License
- Two staff have K-8 teacher certification
- BA in Education, English Language Arts and Anthropology
Professional development opportunities teachers have : Onsite teaching methods, curriculum development and linguistic training through contracts with the Northwest Indian Language Institute (NILI). They also attend the NILI Summer Program with similar themes.
Professional development opportunities that teachers need: continued, needs vary with individuals
Total student contact hours: preschool 25+ hours per week
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