Hawaiian Language Immersion
Teacher Training Project
at the University of Hawai'i
http://www.uatuahine.hawaii.edu/hana/ITTP
Under a grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) of the U.S. Department of Education the Department of Hawaiian and Indo-Pacific Languages and Literatures and the Second Language Teaching and Curriculum Center of the University of Hawai'i at Mänoa has instituted a program of enrichment for pre- and in-service teachers of the Hawaiian Immersion Program. The Immersion Teacher Training Project is building a prototype model for language immersion teacher training in the United States.
This teacher training project is a model for other immersion contexts with similar conditions of need, including foreign language immersion programs in commonly taught languages for "traditional" populations, heritage language immersion programs for ethnic immigrant populations, and especially indigenous language immersion programs for Native American populations.
The three dimensions of the project are the following:
I. A pre- and in-service education component for teachers and future teachers to facilitate not only the teaching of Hawaiian in the regular public school setting but especially the teaching of subject area disciplines in the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program where the entire curriculum is delivered in Hawaiian.
II. A technology-based distance education component to institutionalize pre- and in-service interisland professional development opportunities via interactive television and the Internet; and
III. A dissemination component to document and distribute nationally and internationally materials and information presenting a Hawai'i model which portrays the institutionalization of professional development demonstrating adaptability to other contexts with similar conditions of need. This website and conference presentations serve the immersion and indigenous language communities as one source for inspiration.
Kükamaile is designed to provide a structured framework within which participants will strengthen three crucial skills for successful teaching in the immersion classroom:
This program provides a variety of professional development opportunities to address these areas. All activities are organized to include three groups of participants:
Kükamaile '99, is divided into three segments:
Teachers from the immersion school at Kualapu'u, Moloka'i and Kekaha, Kaua'i who participated in the first two Kükamaile summer institutes will host their colleagues in looking at the unique resources each have at their site. Following that, the technology component will facilitate materials development. Teachers will be able to choose to participate in any combination of these segments.
Twenty-two teachers, six of whom were Ni'ihau speakers, participated in Kükamaile '98, an intensive 3 week, full day institute. Practitioner Eddie Ka'anana guided the inquiry into taro culture. Education Specialist Puanani Wilhelm directed a review of Content and Performance Standards of the Hawai'i State Department of Education. Keiki Kawai'ae'a of Hale Kuamo'o shared their development of the philosophy of Ke Kumu Honua Mauli Ola. Under the guidance of Puakea Nogelmeier, language issues were addressed while Makalapua Ka'awa trained first time computer users and guided experienced users in developing web materials.
Twenty-seven teachers and future teachers, three of whom were native speakers, participated in activities which were organized to facilitate cooperative learning, with each participant contributing from their area of strength. Instruction was led by Kalani Akana, Puakea Nogelmeier, Makalapua Ka'awa, and 'Ioli'i Hawkins. Cultural, pedagogical, and technological aspects were integrated throughout. Web materials developed during the institute can be accessed and used by all Hawaiian language teachers.
| THE MODEL | DISCUSSION |
For more information, email 'Ioli'i or write to:
Immersion Teacher Training Project
Dr. E. Hawkins
Hawaiian and Indo-Pacific Languages and Literatures
University of Hawai'i at Mänoa
2540 Maile Way, Spalding 255
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96822