Cohort members have the opportunity to collaborate with Diné language immersion experts, cultural practitioners, and faculty members and become active in Diné language revitalization.
Cohort members who complete the DLTI will be offered ongoing mentoring through instructional support and maybe taking supplementary courses that will support their professional development and refinement of using Diné immersion methodologies. In turn, these Diné language teacher cohort members will be encouraged to mentor new recruits and/or other teachers who want to learn about Diné language immersion and related trainings. Essentially, they will be encouraged to put into practice language advocacy in the home and community settings by engaging fluent speakers from the community to use the language in these settings and continue to refine their practice of Diné language immersion methodologies.
Subsequently, the DLTI is planning to offer undergraduate and graduate certificates in Navajo bilingual/language education for cohort members upon completion of their course work from UNM.
Overall, the project recognizes the urgent need to utilize and draw upon the availability of human capital (cultural and language resources) to continue the tribe’s efforts to maintain and revitalize the Navajo language at the local and in the greater Navajo community.
Upon passing the Navajo Nation’s language test, the cohort members are encouraged to apply for New Mexico 520 Alternative Certification for Native Language and Culture. They will be placed with a local school’s Navajo language programs as Diné Language and Culture Resource Teachers, i.e., as trained Diné language teachers.
Other opportunities for cohort members:
Apply the 18-credit hours towards a degree program.
Use the 18-credit hours for a BA or MA in Native American Studies or a BA in Linguistics.
Use the 18-credit hours to minor in Navajo Language or Language, Literacy and Socio-cultural Studies
