Language eLearning: Choctaw Nation language program

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma has an excellent language website! 

I've been taking Choctaw I online since August.  The textbook we are using is "Choctaw Language and Culture" by Marcia Haag and Henry Willis.  Three mornings a week I log on to the class website.  After practicing vocabulary by entering the date and the daily weather (see below), we review a section of the book via webcam.  Our teacher is Ms. Lillie Roberts.  She is very knowledgeable and emphasizes the importance of reading out loud, listening  and understanding fundamentals.

What I'm finding particularly challenging is the use of a different alphabet than the alphabet used at CBTC.  I find myself having to double check my spelling!

I like having a steady, consistent time to do language learning.  As anyone who's learned a new language knows, you have to be intentional

Himak nittak vt Mvnti Aktoba awah tahlapi.
Himak nittak kucha yA libisha. 

For clarification:
The Mississippi Band of the Choctaw Indians is the tribal entity that CBTC serves.  The MCBI website also has information about language and culture.

Bita Ikbi

The students recently completed diamond pattern headbands.

I've been working with Pam at Choctaw Central High School for about a month now. Each day is different. My activities include:
*assisting her with teaching
*helping the students complete projects
*grading, typing lesson plans
*creating worksheets
*brainstorming ideas.

After school Pam and I study language and culture together. We are working with "Choctaw Language and Culture" by Marcia Haag and Henry Willis. It's published by University of Oklahoma Press so the alphabet used is the one used by the Oklahoma Choctaw. (I'll write about the different alphabet/orthographies in a later posting).

My task this week is creating a "how to" book on making a diamond pattern headband. I'm combining English and Choctaw vocabulary with photos and illustrations of each step.

We're also doing language learning & culture discussions about beading techniques. The students are creating beautiful beaded Christmas ornaments!

Language Learning (Part B)

This week we're supposed to be moving into the second part of the Growing Participator Approach. That means using the vocabulary we've been reviewing to form sentences. I'm not sure if I'm actually ready to start talking, at least with any degree of confidence. We're going over vocabulary this week (Monday and Tuesday). Elijah, our language nurturer is preparing to go on a mercy mission to Japan with another musician from Jackson. Her name is Myah.

I find myself recognizing words that I hear in conversation around me. At church I can get the basic "gist" of the sermon (at Hope Indian Baptist Church where Pastor Travis speaks in Choctaw).

With more review I'll continue to get stronger with my vocabulary. I was given some advice to really work on speaking with the "right" accent. Sounding Choctaw.