Language is not simply a means of communication; it is a way of culture, identity, and histories of past generations. Many indigenous communities around the world are grappling with issues relating to the inevitable decline of the languages of their ancestors. This is where high school students can step up as the driving force for revitalization efforts to bring back to life certain words and traditions that may disappear if no one acts quickly. If you have a desire to contribute, then here is a detailed guide on how to initiate a language revitalization project starting at your high school.
What is Language Revitalization?
Language revitalization includes a variety of programs and initiatives to reclaim endangered or extinct languages for everyday use, from informal clubs without prior experience or instructional classes and community events. The goal of the projects is to allow the language to be usable through generations.
Step 1: Research and Raise Awareness
Getting to know the language:
To really kick start the revitalisation of a language you will want to begin by researching that language. That research should include the history of the language, the current state of the language, and some perspective on how and why the language becomes an endangered language. You want to get all perspectives — find elders, language experts in the community and do online research as well.
Raising Awareness:
To keep up the momentum and remain energized, people need to know what the language is and why it is important.
You could put posters up, make presentations or have an awareness week at school. Use social media to highlight some facts, stories and important milestones for language preservation.
Step 2: Build a Team
Seek out others:
You don't have to do this alone. Find individuals who you can rely on to start and redevelop or reimagine your language revitalisation project. If your school has language classes, speak with those students. Reach out to interested friends, classmates and even teachers. In order to develop the best revitalisation plan this group needs to be diverse. The more perspectives you have in your group, the more skills you can access and the more ideas you can share.
Find and Connect with others:
Once you build a group you will want to connect with the language community. Invite local language speakers, elders, and language or cultural organizations. Their expertise can be extremely helpful, and they may have stories, authentic language resources and can even provide guest speakers for your events.
Step 3: Define Goals
By setting specific, measurable, and attainable goals you will maintain focus and motivation to keep moving forward. Some examples:
Teach some of the basic language phrases to students and/or staff.
Hold language clubs/conversation circles.
Collect oral histories from fluent/not-natively speakers.
Create digital resources for language learning (e.g. apps, websites).
Step 4: Plan Activities and Resources
Language Clubs:
There is nothing wrong with starting up a language club where students can gather to practice on a regular basis. You might frame in terms of games, storytelling, music, cooking traditional food, etc. while using the target language.
Workshops and classes:
You may want to invite fluent speakers of the language or language teachers to run workshops to develop your students' competencies. You can also see if you could work with your school to offer the language as an elective or an after school program.
Digital Projects:
You could start a website, podcast or youtube channel to share your lessons, interviews, and cultural teachings. Digital projects can also give you a way of sharing what you have learned with a wider audience and maintain the language for others both now, and in the future.
Step 5: Collaborate and Network
Collaborate with other schools:
If you can connect with students at other schools who are also interested in language revitalization, you could share resources together, plan events, and share in learning experiences together.
Tap into Existing Resources:
Many universities, nonprofits, and government entities have developed tools and are prepared to support language projects through toolkits, funding and mentorship. Look for grants and scholarships that are tied or can be tied to language.
Step 6: Celebrate and Share Success
Organize Events:
You may start a cultural festival, or perhaps a language day, or storytelling night, as a way of demonstrating your progress, engaging new people, and sharing the joy and importance of the language.
Document Your Progress:
Record your project in a blog, photo log, or video diary. You may inspire others and post a record of your journey by documenting and sharing.
Step 7: Reflect and Sustain
Assess your impact and:
Determine what is working, what is not, and what do you need to think about and time to reflect on and evaluate your experience. Talk with your participants and your community to gather feedback.
Use this information for your program delivery and future goal-setting.
Embed the Language into the Future:
There are various ways for your project to continue beyond your departure. Think about how you can prepare youth to take this program into the future and ways to communicate with teachers to provide explicit pathways to embed the languages into the school culture and curriculum.
Real-World Examples
Several state-based and national initiatives led by high-school students in revitalizing language are making significant strides in this area. Numerous students throughout Aotearoa New Zealand are revitalising their Māori language through school clubs and digital mediums, things like these can be used to continue youth's languages. Similarly, Indigenous youth are establishing non-profits across the United States, to teach their languages in both formal and informal settings (e.g., apps, summer camps, etc.) and partnering with community elders and universities to create successful initiatives.
Useful Resources
First Peoples’ Cultural Council: Provides toolkits and funding for youth-led projects.
Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages: Provides training and resources for language documentation.
Enduring Voices Project by National Geographic: Shares stories and guides for language activists.
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