Aboriginal Language and Culture Instructor Diploma

School: Education
Delivery Method: Classroom
Program Duration: 2 years
Delivery Location: Check with the Registrar

The program is designed to train individuals to work as Aboriginal language instructors in NWT schools, teaching Aboriginal languages and culture courses. The program is a mixture of Aboriginal language immersion courses and teaching methodologies courses related specifically to teaching Aboriginal languages. 

Applicant must:

• Demonstrate knowledge about an Aboriginal language and/or culture;
• Provide a personal letter stating reasons why (s)he wants to enter the teaching profession; and
• Provide a letter of recommendation from a community leader, Community Education Council, school principal, or Director of Education testifying to his/her interest in teaching, character, work, and skills.

To prepare Aboriginal language and culture teachers to:

• Use a variety of approaches to teaching in order to meet the Aboriginal language and culture needs of NWT children;
• Facilitate a positive Aboriginal language classroom learning environment;
• Meet the needs of each child placed in his/her Aboriginal language classroom;
• Work effectively and independently in an Aboriginal language classroom;
• Use a variety of assessment/evaluation tools and procedures in the classroom;
• Become knowledgeable of Aboriginal language, Dene Kede and/or Inuuqatigiit curricula;
• Integrate Aboriginal cultural perspectives in the classroom;
• Utilize a variety of community and traditional knowledge resources in the classroom; and
• Continue in other institutions of higher learning if he/she wishes to continue his/her studies.

Students must successfully complete 67 credits of coursework: 21 credits of Academic courses and 46 credits of Professional coursework.