Reflections from past summer institute participants

Having been an educator for more than forty years from a teacher at all levels to school administrator at different levels, I was reminded of the goals of standards-based pedagogical methods. What I had forgotten and taken for granted over time were reiterated and reinforced, particularly for language pedagogy.

Adeyinka Fashokun, PhD

The Summer Institute has prepared me as a native speaker to be able to understand my students and create a student focused environment for learning. Prior to attending the training, I never thought it was possible to teach beginners using the target language more than 90%

Anthony Gitei Gathiru

National African Language Resource Center Summer Institute Development Program is a life and professional changer. It opens doors and brings connections, while it improves one’s professional knowledge.

Asimiyu Adekunle

My favorite part of the program was during the second week, where we had to demonstrate all we learnt from the first week. The participants had to be students and simulate teaching the language to the other participants. I also got to experience the point view of new language speakers and the problems they go through. This activity made me better understand what our students experience as foreign language learners.

Felicity Tackey-Otoo, PhD

My commitment to the teaching of languages stems from my desire to promote diversity and African culture in the US classrooms. And this is precisely what NALRC is doing. I give Kudos to all the staff of NARLC.

Felix P. Umeana

As a first participant at the NALRC Summer Institute (2021), how I perceived myself as an African language Instructor when I joined the program is entirely different from the teacher I have become in the process (at the end of the workshop.) As I was learning some new methods such as “the backward curriculum design,” “world Language standards,” “integrating culture, content, and language,” to name just a few, I was self-reflecting on the process in which I was transforming my teaching style to be more effective for my students.

Ousmane Cisse

This workshop is a wake-up call for me as a teacher. It made me unlearn the traditional way of teaching and learn the effective method where the focus is on the students. I look forward to learning more in the future whenever the opportunity arises especially when organized by NALRC.

Yetunde Alabede

Though this was not my first time attending a professional training workshop, this one stood out for a variety of reasons. First of these was the structure of the workshop that allowed for hands-on experience, discussion, and reflection. Another great feature of this workshop was the people, both trainers and trainees. From the very beginning if felt like we are a family, giving the training a friendly vibe.

Mahmoud Ali

I am glad to report that the 10-day May 2019 NALRC Summer Institute was indeed a life-changing experience in my teaching career. This is because I had never figured out how I would effectively teach a foreign language to a first-time student but by the time I was done with the training, I knew how. This went a long way in equipping me with the necessary skills to teach a summer class this year.

Grace Ng'ang'a

This program changed my way of teaching, and by utilizing the techniques I learned at the workshop, I am now noticing that my students are getting better at the language. I am encouraging all language instructors to attend this program as it is extremely rewarding.

Mouhamdou Moustapha Hoyeck

The training really gave me insights about teaching my language as a second language. Moreover, it gave me wider opportunity to get connected with young African students who are potential leaders and scholars of the continent and the globe as well.

Belay Worku Alem

I especially came into this workshop with high skepticism for the concept of using the target language 90% of the time, I didn’t think that was possible. But I can stand here today and say that I can effectively teach this language using the target language 100% of the time!

Tiwa Ajeigbe (Oodles of Fun Kids Co.)

I want to say that this two weeks summer institute is one of the most memorable moments of our lives as language instructors. The training did not only teach us to function effectively as African language instructors in our respective institutions but also undertake functions in strengthening the teaching of African languages in the US.

Matthew Ajibade

I think this workshop would be important for every African language instructor. Very important. And if I was in such a position to make the rule, it would be a requirement for every African language instructor to go through this kind of training. If you are from Africa and then put into an American classroom, what are you going to do there? So, I feel that this is a place that everyone [African language instructors] should pass before they get to class.

Mwita Muniko

I am so glad that I attended this workshop. When I started teaching Swahili in the US, I did not have adequate experience of teaching beginning language learners. I had taught Swahili for about a year in Kenya, but only to fluent Swahili speakers. … Coming to this NALRC professional training has been a blessing! The knowledge with which we are leaving IU is definitely going to change our experience as teachers.

Magdalyne Oguti Akiding

The summer institute has been a huge success … and it is not just because we have been given information that is critical to our pedagogical skills, but the fact that we had the opportunities to put what we have learned into practice.

Yewande Aluko

Teach in the right way and people will get it. Use the right mechanics and you will achieve your objectives at the end. This is what the workshop has taught me.

Musa Dampha

We cannot say we know it all and I’ve just realized here that because you are a native speaker of a language, you automatically think you can teach it well but no, no, no. You need to know the method to teaching it effectively.

Roseline Ndimele, PhD

I am delighted beyond measure about the transformation this workshop has giving me within these two weeks. I could only imagine the person I would be if I got one month of this high quality training.

Joshua Okyere

Without the workshop, many would not know that mastering our African languages does not necessarily translate into teaching them in a standard way, especially in American institutions. Our strategies for planning and delivering instructions after this workshop will change and our effort will yield better results.

Bayo Omolola, PhD

And as a teacher for the past 26 years I must confess, I have never had any training this excellent, rewarding and full of impact. It really is transforming.

Aderibigbe Moronmubo, PhD

Today I can say that I if I had known this much before writing my first book it could have been better.

Amadou Beidy Sow, PhD

As a language teacher, this institute has given me the tools needed to improve my teaching methods, to create a learner-centered classroom, and to be an effective teacher.

Falilatu Lasisi (The C.A.K.E. Village)