Boise, Idaho for two weeks of July 2011 is the site for NABO's first barnetegia or intensive learning workshops. The aim is to facilitate the creation of more Euskara teachers for our club-based language learning programs.
Related link: www.naboeuskaraz.com
This is a translation of an original article
from
www.euskalkultura.com (July
2011)
Idaho's capital city of Boise these days
welcomes NABO's first barnetegi (which
literally means boarding school but in this
case it refers to an intensive program).
This is the first organized in the United
States for those students who wish to become
Euskara instructors and thus meet the demand
for existing Euskera classes in North
America.
The barnetegi with fifteen students is part
of a larger program that aims to prepare
participants for a sufficient level of
Euskara within four years, reinforcing the
lessons they receive throughout the school
year with an annual barnetegi.
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Students gain the commitment of a four-year
period once the exercise for two years as
teachers in their respective areas or Euskal
Etxea. Students do not need to pay for
their education, provided they comply with
their commitment and complete 80% of the
assigned task. The training is made possible
through the collaboration of HABE (the
Basque Government's Basque language learning
department).
In the first phase Amaia Zeberio has been
providing necessary support for American
students, both through email or by Skype.
Amaia works in the barnetegi of Lazkao,
Gipuzkoa. It should be noted that so far two
of the 15 students have traveled to Lazkao
this summer to study and several others plan
to make the trip soon.
This first phase of the program "Euskara
Munduan" (Euskera in the world) in North
America began in September 2010, ending this
past June 2011. In addition to this students
must attend summer barnetegi for a week.
The second year of the program will start
October 2011.
NABO has made a call for new students
wishing to start their training period. To
participate in this program requires a basic
level of Euskera and willingness to work to
become a teacher of the language.
Students participating in the Boise
barnetegi come from Canada, Nevada, Idaho
and Wyoming and will remain in Boise for a
week. Lessons are at Boise State University
from 9 am to 5 pm.
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In the course students review lessons
learned along the way and learn and handle
new material through games and group
activities. The last hour of the day will be
used for homework. Kinku Zinkundegi,
HABE coordinator & NABO Euskara coordinator
Izaskun Kortazar are responsible for Boise's
barnetegi.
Today Monday, a group of exchange students
coming from Larrabetzu (Bizkaia), located in
Boise will pass by the barnetegi so that
future teachers will have an opportunity to
"Mintz praktika" (language practice), and to
encourage students in their learning
process.
The barnetegi ends on July 15 with--of
course--a dinner together. Students
will gather at the Leku-Ona Basque
restaurant and hold a kantu-Afaria (sing-a-lng
dinner). The event is open to the public
with singing for all!
More information about general classes of
Euskera, or how to join the program by
contacting the NABO Euskara coordinator:
izaskunkortazar@gmail.com
Find out more at www.naboeuskaraz.com
