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KnowledgeBases > The American Indian Education KnowledgeBase > Element 4 > Activity 4 > Task 4: Learn About Tribal Language Immersion Schools

Guideline: Following efforts in New Zealand and Hawaii, language immersion schools are being established for English-speaking American Indian students.  These students are immersed in their tribal language for their first years of school to enable them to become fluent speakers of their tribal language and of English.  Evidence from indigenous immersion schools indicate these students can be academically successful, fluent speakers of English and their tribal language, and less likely to drop out of school.
References Aha Punana Leo _EXTERNAL_LINK

As noted at its website, "The 'Aha Puana Leo, best known for our Language Nest Preschools, is the leading entity in Hawai'i and the United States for indigenous language revitalization. In the past 20 years, it has moved the Hawaiian language from a population with less than 40 children speakers to one with over 2,000 children speakers.  The organization's reach expands beyond the Hawaiian Islands to other indigenous communities, especially other Native American communities, where its model is assisting other peoples in their efforts to save their languages from extinction. Its vision is E ola ka ‘alelo Hawai‘i, the Hawaiian language shall live."

References Leupp Navajo Immersion Program _EXTERNAL_LINK
This article from the newsletter of the National Association for Bilingual Education describes an immersion program in a public school in the Navajo Nation that teaches a Navajo curriculum aligned to state standards.
References Mohawk Immersion Program Gaining Acceptance _EXTERNAL_LINK

This Indian Country Today article describes a Mohawk immersion program in Quebec, Canada.

References Piegan Institute _EXTERNAL_LINK

As noted at its website, "the Piegan Institute serves as a vehicle to research, promote and preserve Native languages. Its national and community-based programs are on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in northwest Montana. Our community-based objectives are to increase the number of Blackfeet language speakers, to increase the cultural knowledge base of community members, and to actively influence positive community-based change."

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Previous: Task 3: Know About Efforts to Revitalize and Teach American Indian and Other Indigenous Languages


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