Community-based program overview

The Bachelor of Education in Indigenous Language Revitalization is designed with laddered steps, which provide exit and entry opportunities. The BEd program is intended to take 4 or 5 years, but one can exit after year 1 with a certificate or after year 2 with a diploma.

Within the first year of the program, students have an opportunity to pursue the Certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization (CILR) developed by UVIC Continuing Studies in partnership with the UVic Department of Linguistics and the En’owkin Centre, focusing on what is necessary for language revitalization. An alternative first-year pathway focuses on Indigenous language learning, supported by courses in Language Revitalization.

The second year focuses on increasing language proficiency and introduces teaching concepts. Completeing the second year makes one eligible for the Diploma in Indigenous Language Revitalization.

The final two to three years focus on completing the coursework for the Bachelor of Education in Indigenous Language Revitalization and professional teaching certification.

The first two years of course work follow a cohort model that is physically and culturally situated in individual language communities. The laddered steps include the following:

Laddered steps toward Bachelor of Education

Year 1 Certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization (CILR) Path or Certificate in Indigenous Language Proficiency (CILP) Path
or
Language Proficiency Path
Year 1 & 2 Diploma in Indigenous Language Revitalization
Year 3 & 4 Bachelor of Education in Indigenous Language Revitalization
(leading to professional teaching certification in the province of British Columbia)

Program outcomes

Our graduates will:

  • Demonstrate greater Indigenous language proficiency
  • Understand and employ concepts of effective teaching and learning
  • Be certified to teach K-12 in public and band-run schools in BC
  • Demonstrate linguistically and culturally grounded teaching strategies
  • Work towards the revitalization of their languages in their communities