The Sealaska Heritage Institute developed and released two free apps last week to help people learn the Tlingit language.
According to a SHI press release, the “Learning Tlingit” app includes more than 300 Tlingit words, phrases, letters and sounds and audio from native speakers, language learners and linguists. The app also includes a searchable index, and a link to language podcasts will soon be available.
The “Tlingit Games” app features interactive games and quizzes that teach the names of ocean animals and birds commonly found in Southeast Alaska.
SHI education project coordinator Katrina Hotch, daughter of longtime Klukwan resident Lani Hotch, said she was responsible for isolating and cutting vocabulary words from audio clips of speakers, including Klukwan resident and fluent Tlingit speaker Marsha Hotch, to include in the first version of the app.
She said she prioritized words and phrases she thought would be the most helpful for beginning learners and students just starting to use the technology. Hotch said SHI plans to add content through updates in the next two years.
The institute started to decide how the apps would logistically look and work in January, but the audio clips were compiled from SHI curriculum over many years.
Hotch said the app is something that has been requested for quite a while. She heard that a teacher in Juneau downloaded the apps and incorporated them into a geography lesson the first day they were available.
“Since it’s so mobile, you can take it anywhere to increase your exposure,” Hotch said. “The more you hear, the better you’ll be able to start training your ear and working your way up to develop the sounds.”
Lead teacher at Klukwan School Kathryn Carl said the teachers in Klukwan downloaded the apps last Friday on their iPads and experimented with them along with the students.
“They’re in the testing process right now,” Carl said.
Teachers are planning how they can integrate the apps into the language program in the classroom. Carl said the Klukwan staff members are already thinking about ways they can partner with SHI to create a new custom language app.
The app is available now to download for iOS and Android devices. The press release said SHI plans to produce Haida and Tsimshian versions of the app in the future now that the basic framework is in place.