Interactive method teaches traditional languages to community
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RONAN – Salish and Kootenai language instructor April Charlo is on the verge of something big. After attending a workshop for a language game called “Where are your keys?” in Portland, Ore she met the game’s creator Evan Gardner. Shortly following, Charlo signed up for the Summer Institute of Play internship, furthering her knowledge of the revolutionary method, certain that she could use the method to teach native Salish and Kootenai languages.
As a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, her pledge to restoring the Salish and Kootenai languages inspired her to strive for a teaching degree and a master’s degree in education leadership from the University of Montana. The young instructor is using her knowledge and training to help breathe new life into Native Languages on the Reservation.
“I knew when I was getting those degrees I was only getting them to get letters after my name to help save languages,” Charlo said.
Upon arrival back in the Mission Valley in October, Charlo has taken her knowledge of the game to teach everyone and anyone interested.
“Since I’ve been home, I’ve been teaching anyone who would let me,” Charlo said. “It’s a fun way to learn. The idea is: it’s a game; everyone loves game interaction.”
During the game, students sit in a circle around a bucket, where two pairs of matching items sit. Charlo has students say different words in Salish while doing specific sign language for individual objects. The class goal is to build a safe, healthy community for positive language learning, she said.
Charlo returned to the Reservation in October, and has already jumpstarted multiple classes that use WAYK. She teaches a few courses for the Tribes, Salish Kootenai College and one adult education course at Ronan Middle School on Tuesday and Thursday. The course began last week and will last eight to 10 weeks, depending on how far the students want to go.
The community course costs $20 and anyone can join at any time during the class.
“People could walk in at week six and won’t be behind,” she said. “This method is prepared for that.”
“I love this method because it suits a lot of people’s different needs,” Charlo added. “The techniques help get everyone comfortable and laughing; I think they enjoy it more.”
The new language method couldn’t come at a more pivotal time, she added.
“It’s a critical time for all three languages on the Reservation,” she said. “Our fluent speakers are getting older and the responsibility is on younger generations to step up and bring language back.”
According to Charlo, a lot of positive things are happening in the Salish and Kootenai communities to help bring the languages back. The WAYK method doesn’t require computers or major curriculum, making the game easy to play anywhere, especially with family members in the home.
“The saying goes, ‘If you can find a stick and a rock, you can learn a language;’ in this case it’s a stick and a dollar bill” Charlo smiled. “It’s teaching teachers to teach children. So after tonight’s class everyone could walk away and teach off the first lesson.”
Kootenai member Jacob Bessette has been studying with Charlo since December, and says the WAYK method is a good way to learn and teach others. During a car ride, Charlo was able to teach Bessette how to ask for certain things and command objects in Salish.
“Using this method, I was able to learn and retain Salish in a few hours,” Bessette said. “It really works.”
