BC's Indigenous Public Post-Secondary Institute

Nsyilxcen Language Fluency Diploma Program


Department: Indigenous Language Fluency
Program Delivery Location: Merritt & Community
Credential: Diploma
Format: Full-Time

Nsyilxcen Language Fluency Diploma Program

Purpose


The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 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 standard 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


Community locations within the Nsyilx language speaking communities.


Faculty


En’owkin Centre Faculty


Programs


The Nsyilxcen Language Fluency Certificate & Diploma programs are foundational and innovative programs with a focus on Nsyilxcen content in the language fluency curriculum. Admission is open to all learners within the respective Indigenous communities, particularly those wishing to enhance their knowledge, understanding and conversation 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 Indigenous 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 program coordinator or an NVIT Academic and Financial Planner regarding upgrading opportunities.            


Course and Program Transferability


Upon successful completion of the Nsyilxcen Language Fluency Diploma at NVIT, students can transfer to the University of British Columbia Okanagan in the Bachelor of Nsyilxcen Language Fluency (BNLF). Please visit https://ccgs.ok.ubc.ca/undergraduate/nsyilxcn/ for more information.


The Indigenous Language Fluency Certificate & Diploma programs are articulated through BC Council on Admissions and Transfer. For more information visit: www.bctransferguide.ca


For admissions, registration and tuition fee questions, please connect with:


Suzanne Johnson, MSc., RD

Academic Programs Manager

academicmanager@vip.net

Phone: 250-493-7181 Ext. 202


OR


Sara Tronson

Student Services Staff

dbase@vip.net

Phone: 250-493-7181 Ext.220




www.enowkincentre.ca

Diploma Completion Plan
The Nsyilxcen Language Fluency Diploma is awarded to recognize the successful completion of the Nsyilxcen Language Fluency Diploma Program. In addition to the successful completion of the Nsyilxcen Language Fluency Certificate, students are required to take the courses as prescribed below and complete a total of 66 credits to complete the diploma. An overall minimum GPA of 2.33 is required.
  • INLG-160 - Ways of Knowing: Nsyilxcn Social Foundations (previous INST 145)
  • INLG-260 - Ways of Knowing: The Syilx Land Culture (previous INST 245)
  • NSYL-210 - Nsyilxcen Linguistics/Literacy (previous INST 255)
  • NSYL-211 - Nsyilxcen Translation/Transliteration (previous INST 210)
  • NSYL-220 - Nsyilxcen Vocabulary in Place and Socio- Spatial Context II (previous NSYL 257)
  • NSYL-221 - Nsyilxcen Structure and Syntax
  • NSYL-230 - Nsyilxcen Connections: Context Through Immersion Learning
  • NSYL-231 - Nsyilxcen Place and Time: Context Through Immersion Learning (previous NSYL 154)
  • NSYL-330 - Nsyilxcen Immersion: Pod/Cohort Learning Through Multiple Mentors (previous NSYL 360)
  • NSYL-350 - Nsyilxcen Immersion: Introduction to Mentored Special Topics
  • Course Listing for this program

    INLG-160 - Credits: 3.000
    Ways of Knowing: Nsyilxcn Social Foundations (previous INST 145)
    This course is an introduction to Okanagan Social Foundation. It gives a fundamental overview of the concepts and worldview contained in key Okanagan language words and stories (captikwl). Students are introduced to the roles and responsibilities of individuals as Syilx within their society in relation to the land, to community and to family in the key areas of the use and protection of land and resources, the protection and service to community: the strength of family and roles within family and how each relates education, economics, political and spiritual practice. More Details on this course
    Prerequisites: None
    INLG-260 - Credits: 3.000
    Ways of Knowing: The Syilx Land Culture (previous INST 245)
    This course will introduce students to the study of pre-contact Okanagan culture. Traditional knowledge, systems and practices are examined in relation to roles and responsibilities, worldview, philosophy and spirituality. More Details on this course
    Prerequisites: INLG-160
    NSYL-210 - Credits: 3.000
    Nsyilxcen Linguistics/Literacy (previous INST 255)
    This course provides a foundation in theory and practice in linguistics and literacy. Students will learn the processes that occur in word formation, phrase formation, and sentence formation. A general introduction to linguistics will be given. More Details on this course
    NSYL-211 - Credits: 3.000
    Nsyilxcen Translation/Transliteration (previous INST 210)
    This course provides foundation in theory and practice for transcribing and translating Nsyilxcen oral text. Students will transcribe and translate texts and/or tapes using the International Phonetic Alphabet. As a part of this course, students will develop touch-keyboarding skills using the Nsyilxcen font. There will be a basic introduction to linguistic processes such as phonology, phonetics, morphology and syntax. There will also be practice in transcribing and reading texts. More Details on this course
    NSYL-220 - Credits: 3.000
    Nsyilxcen Vocabulary in Place and Socio- Spatial Context II (previous NSYL 257)
    This course provides students with increased active immersion learning tools following the three principles of (a) leaving English behind, (b) relating to everything and every action in Nsyilxcen and (c) re-learning the world in Nsyilxcen. Fluent Nsyilxcen speakers engage students in activities focused on increasing the interactive use of Nsyilxcen in selected topics including (a) a story gathering convened by students, (b) a special feast with elders with elders convened by students, (c) a visit to a sacred sited convened by students and (d) a visit to a traditional gathering selected by students. More Details on this course
    NSYL-221 - Credits: 3.000
    Nsyilxcen Structure and Syntax
    This course will expose the student to the basics structure and syntax of Nsyilxcen. Topics include an overview of the Salishan languages with regard to patterns and rules of various components of language. This course will also cover the introductory linguistic components of phonetics, phonology and morphology as it relates to Nsyilxcen. Including descriptive components of sentence building. More Details on this course
    NSYL-230 - Credits: 3.000
    Nsyilxcen Connections: Context Through Immersion Learning
    This course will focus on developing listening and speaking for using Nsyilxcen in situational contexts. Students will apply previous knowledge and communication skills to improve or increase vocabulary to connect ideas to everyday situational contexts in Nsyilxcen. Practical application to situations within schools/classroom, community gatherings and formal situations. More Details on this course
    NSYL-231 - Credits: 3.000
    Nsyilxcen Place and Time: Context Through Immersion Learning (previous NSYL 154)
    This course is a full immersion course. It utilizes supervised fluent speakers to engage student in full-immersion activities in Nsyilxcen use. This course will develop proficiency and fluency in contextualizing the speaker and the receiver and third persons in real world situations. The course will increase vocabulary use of simple explanatory statements, responses to questions, use of spatial indicators and appropriate pronoun designations and time differentiation related to present, past and future contexts. More Details on this course
    NSYL-330 - Credits: 6.000
    Nsyilxcen Immersion: Pod/Cohort Learning Through Multiple Mentors (previous NSYL 360)
    This course builds on Nsyilxcen Immersion where students will expand on elements of the oral immersion learning tools and communication phrases for use. Students will gain experience hearing different fluent speakers of each Nsyilxcen speaking community with the intent of increasing usage and vocabulary. Students will form a Mentor pod process as a cohort of advanced immersion learners moving from one community of fluent speakers to another. Students will assist to organize within their own community the immersion event with the fluent speakers. More Details on this course
    NSYL-350 - Credits: 3.000
    Nsyilxcen Immersion: Introduction to Mentored Special Topics
    This course is an introductory mentored special topics course. The course provides students immersion learning following a special topics model. Fluent Nsyilxcen topic mentors engage students in total immersion sessions focused on increasing the use of Nsyilxcen. Implementing a situational learning practice to guide the topics plan for selected sessions. Situational learning topics may include indoor, outdoor, or other practical learning experiences. More Details on this course
     

    Find a course

    Search for: