Teaching Indigenous Languages in Chile: Perceptions of Traditional Educators

• In Event: 64.087 - MTCC Roundtable Session 28
  In Roundtable Session: 64.087-5 - Cultural Empowerment of Indigenous Students Through Indigenous-Based Learning Modalities

Abstract

Intercultural Bilingual Education has been public policy in Chile for more than twenty years. One of its key components is the emergence of the Traditional Educator, an indigenous person who teaches an indigenous language in a school context. Hence, this research is directed towards examining the perceptions of Traditional Educators (Mapuche, Aymara and LicanAntay). Using the Critical Language Policies approach, the results were organized into three categories: perceptions of Traditional Educators regarding the Intercultural Bilingual Education Program; the relationship of Traditional Educators with other participants in the school system; and teaching strategies declared by Traditional Educators for teaching in the Indigenous Language Class.

Authors

• Rukmini Becerra-Lubies, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile

• Carlos Bolomey

• Daniela Meli