Native Language Teacher Education

REVITALIZE the language; PERPETUATE the culture.

The purpose of the Salish Language Educator Development (SLED) Program is to prepare and graduate professionals who are working towards fluency in the Salish language and demonstrate the ability to teach that language to students from preschool through adulthood. This program is designed to meet the critical need for Native language teachers who are both working toward fluency in their language and are skilled in teaching. Key features of the program include an emphasis on educational practices that sustain and revitalize Salish language and culture, as well as multiple opportunities for practicum experiences in which teacher candidates participate in observing, teaching, and reflecting upon these experiences with young students.

Program Curricula

Program Faculty

Faculty Memberone
faculty_memberone@skc.edu

Faculty Memberone
faculty_memberone@skc.edu

Faculty Memberone
faculty_memberone@skc.edu

Faculty Memberone
faculty_memberone@skc.edu

Objective 2 - Intensive Salish Language (ISL) Component
One-year intensive language program led by the Se̓liš-Ql̓ispé Culture Committee (SQCC).
Language learning will be conducted all day, Monday – Thursday and Friday mornings for the entirety of the first full year of the 3-year SLED program. Successful participants will earn a Class 7 Certification at the completion of the first year.

Objective 3 - Native Language Teacher Education (NLTE) Component
Two-year educator preparation courses aimed at preparing teachers who are working towards sustaining and revitalizing Salish language and culture. Multiple opportunities for practicum experiences will be provided, with a focus on observing, teaching, and reflecting upon these experiences with students in the second and third years of the SLED program. Courses may be delivered at the SQCC, Nk̓ʷusm, SKC, or another location that is most convenient for participants. Successful graduates will earn an Associate of Science degree in Education at the completion of the third year.

Career Opportunities

Graduates will be prepared to work as Salish Language Teachers in Native language immersion schools, public school classrooms (P-12), and/or other private schools in which a Class 7 Certification or an associate’s degree meets the qualifications. Successful Associate degree graduates may choose to continue their education to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education P-3 or Elementary Education.

Program Objectives

  • First and second language acquisition, dual language learning, and immersion
  • Teaching literacy in native language contexts
  • Methods of teaching in a native language setting (e.g., DLL, Immersion, etc.)
  • Methods of teaching content areas, in DLL and immersion settings
  • Multicultural education including teaching in culturally and linguistically diverse settings
  •  Program models, policy, school-community relations in DLL and immersion settings
  • The phonology, morphology, and syntax of Salish language in addition to English (for dual language or immersion teachers)
  • Assessment in DLL/immersion settings
  • Curriculum development in DLL/immersion settings
  • Reading and research in foundations of education related to the education of culturally and
  • linguistically diverse students
  • Use of instructional technology for teaching first and second languages and content areas

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Associate of Science degree, candidates will demonstrate the following skills, dispositions and knowledge in relation to the principles:

  • Demonstrate proficiency communicating through listening, speaking, reading, and writing in both Salish and English.
  • Apply knowledge and understanding of the Salish history and culture considering political, social, economic, and sovereign factors.
  • Effectively employ knowledge of language acquisition theory and application to educational practice.
  • Plan, implement and assess instruction for linguistically and culturally diverse students utilizing DLL and immersion strategies.
  • Communicate effectively with students, parents, and others in culturally and linguistically diverse communities, especially Salish communities.
  • Critically assess and evaluate the student, program, and self-performance.
  • Establish and apply an understanding of intercultural competency, including tribal values, to ensure appropriate ways of being and building respectful relationships within language learning and immersion settings.

Requirements

  • Students must submit to a federal background check for all Education programs.

Associate Degree

  • Students must receive a “C” or better in all required courses while maintaining an overall grade point average of 2.5 to graduate.

Contact us if you need more information.