Niwhkinic Language Fluency Certificate Progam
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Purpose
The TRC report calls to action for post-secondary institutions to create university and college degree programs in Aboriginal languages. In reaction to this NVIT, as a member of the Indigenous Language Fluency Consortium, designed this curriculum to meet the community demands to retain language fluency in community members.
The Indigenous Language Fluency Degree framework is designed to meet Indigenous community language standards as well as academic standards to ensure that NVIT graduates are successful and effective fluent language speakers in their respective communities.
The program is unique in that it emphasizes the language fluency, knowledge and skills relevant to all the worldview of Indigenous communities. Developing Indigenous Language Fluency is at a critical stage with a high need for qualified fluent speakers particularly in the Indigenous communities across the country.
Program Delivery Location
Witsuwit’en Language & Culture Society
Programs
Niwhkinic Language Fluency Certificate
Niwhkinic Language Fluency Diploma
The Niwhkinic Language Fluency Certificate & Diploma programs are foundational and innovative programs with a focus on Niwhkinic Language content in the language fluency curriculum. Admission is open to all learners within the respective Niwhkinic communities, particularly those wishing to enhance their knowledge, understanding and conversational ability of Indigenous languages. The program is designed to be delivered year-long through the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.
Career Opportunities:
Graduates of Indigenous Language Fluency programs will be prepared for employment in many different career areas:
- First Nation organizations
- Band and Public Schools
- Other First Nations’ Organizations
- Family and group facilities
- Other Organizations (ie-tourism)
The Niwhkinic Language Fluency Certificate & Diploma is approved by the local language authorities in their respective communities. Successful completion of the program will allow graduates to work with community members and First Nations Organizations.
Admission Requirements for Certificate
- Grade 12 or equivalent or mature student status
NVIT is committed to ensuring education is accessible to all people. Students who do not meet program requirements should contact the Department Coordinator or an NVIT Academic Planner regarding upgrading opportunities.
Course and Program Transferability
For more information visit: www.bctransferguide.ca
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Certificate Completion Plan
An Niwhkinic Language Fluency Certificate is awarded upon the successful completion of the equivalent of one year of full-time study with the option of continuing to the second-year diploma. The certificate requires 33 credits as prescribed below. An overall minimum GPA of 2.33 is required.
INLG-180 - Dynamics of Indigenous Language ShiftINLG-181 - Issues, Principles and Practices in Language RevitalizationNIWH-110 - Niwhkinic Language: Pronunciation - Learning the SoundsNIWH-111 - Niwhkinic Language: Pronunciation - Root SyllablesNIWH-112 - Introduction to Writing NiwhkinicNIWH-120 - Niwhkinic Language in Everyday Social LanguageNIWH-121 - Niwhkinic Language Everyday Action and InteractionNIWH-122 - Niwhkinic Language Vocabulary in Place and Socio-Spatial Context INIWH-130 - Niwhkinic Language Entry Tools: Introduction to Full ImmersionNIWH-131 - Niwhkinic Language Special Topics - ImmersionNIWH-132 - Niwhkinic Language Interpersonal Interactions Through Immersion Learning
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Course Listing for this program
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INLG-180 - Credits: 3.000
Dynamics of Indigenous Language Shift
This course will introduces the human dynamics, political, and social factors associated with Indigenous language shift and language loss, including the profound psychological, intellectual and spiritual effect on individuals, families, communities and culture. Language revitalization may be explored as a source of healing and empowerment.
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INLG-181 - Credits: 3.000
Issues, Principles and Practices in Language Revitalization
This course will introduce the contemporary issues, principles and practices in the revival, maintenance and revitalization of Indigenous languages in Canada and around the world. Participants identify community assets supporting individual, family and community language revitalization. Students explore factors influencing language maintenance, loss revival and their social and political contexts.
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Prerequisites: INLG-180
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NIWH-110 - Credits: 3.000
Niwhkinic Language: Pronunciation - Learning the Sounds
Niwhkinic language proficiency in adult learners prepares them for learning and hearing Niwhkinic language sounds. The student will actively participate in an Niwhkinic introduction to Niwhkinic language. Instruction method develops proper pronunciation skills in the separate sounds of Niwhkinic language, develops recognition and differentiation of separate sounds in speech. This method provides the learner with foundational communication skills as a beginner learner.
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NIWH-111 - Credits: 3.000
Niwhkinic Language: Pronunciation - Root Syllables
This course will provide students with an understanding of the polysynthetic syllable structures as they apply to the Niwhkinic language for pronunciation in constructing words. These structures are crucial for the students to understand how Niwhkinic language root syllables are essential to construct meaning and their part in word construction and word meaning. Root structures are foundational for understanding root morphemes. Instruction and activities will include English and the Niwhkinic language.
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NIWH-112 - Credits: 3.000
Introduction to Writing Niwhkinic
This course will introduce the Niwhkinic language orthography and develop the ability for reading, writing and in the context of continued pronunciation. Students will apply foundational writing based on previous knowledge and pronunciation skills to improve learning in Niwhkinic language.
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NIWH-120 - Credits: 3.000
Niwhkinic Language in Everyday Social Language
This course will introduce students to Niwhkinic Language proficiency in adult learners. The student will actively participate in an oral Niwhkinic language class. Instruction method provides new vocabulary words and phrases essential in everyday social use. Greetings, introductions, basic questions, responses, and other necessary word concept to function in everyday situations. Instructors are experienced in utilizing associative/cognitive (immersion) second language learning method combined with some aspects of total physical response as an instructional methodology.
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NIWH-121 - Credits: 3.000
Niwhkinic Language Everyday Action and Interaction
This course develops Niwhkinic language proficiency in adult learners. Students will actively participate in class action-based activities. Students will develop skills in interacting in oral Niwhkinic language using basic foundational phrases for interactive contexts. All instruction and activities take place in the Niwhkinic language. Total Physical Response (TPR) method will be used to imbed action contexts.
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NIWH-122 - Credits: 3.000
Niwhkinic Language Vocabulary in Place and Socio-Spatial Context I
This course provides students with foundational immersion learning tools following the three principles of (a) leaving English behind, (b) relating to everything and every action in Niwhkinic language and (c) re-learning the world in Niwhkinic language. Fluent Niwhkinic language speakers engage students in activities focused on increasing the interactive use of Niwhkinic language in selected topics including (a) workplace action and description sentences and phrases, (b) school or place of learning action and description sentences and phrases, (c) gatherings (formal, feast, ceremonies, and meetings). (d) action and description sentences and phrases and (e) elders home visits, action and description sentences and phrases will be given.
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NIWH-130 - Credits: 3.000
Niwhkinic Language Entry Tools: Introduction to Full Immersion
This course is an introductory level to a full immersion course. It provides students Niwhkinic language immersion-learning tools following the principles of leaving English behind and conveying every object and process in Niwhkinic language. Students will be relearning the world in Niwhkinic language. The course provides immersion learners with essential Niwhkinic language phrases to assist them with words, phrases that allows them to interact and ask for repetition or slowing down or demonstrating. Students will learn the use of basic phrases as well as the process of participating in an immersion setting.
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NIWH-131 - Credits: 3.000
Niwhkinic Language Special Topics - Immersion
This course uses a special topics approach to expose and immerse students in the Niwhkinic language. Students will enhance their basic knowledge and ability to speak the Niwhkinic language within a topical context. Students will gain sufficient knowledge to understand, listen and speak sufficient vocabulary related to each special topic. Special topics may include one or more of the following: medicine protocols, roots, berries, feasts, and hunting/fishing protocols, depending on the time of year the course is conducted.
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NIWH-132 - Credits: 3.000
Niwhkinic Language Interpersonal Interactions Through Immersion Learning
This course is a total immersion course. It utilizes supervised fluent speakers to engage students in an interpersonal foundational conversation in Niwhkinic language. The goal is to assist development of oral use in socio-spatial contexts. To assist development of phrasing fluency using personal and emphatic first, second and third person pronouns in selected real-world settings.
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