Indigenous Languages: From Policy and Planning to Implementation and Assessment from edX

Learners will explore how to develop and implement a language plan that will support individual and community-centered goals for reclamation, revitalization, resurgence, education and/or maintenance based on available resources (e.g., human, financial, linguistic, technology), or resources they need to seek.

Learners will have access to IDIL resources and events through UNESCO’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL) Global Community. Learners are also encouraged to build and participate in a global community by sharing open access resources with their community members and engaging in global dialogue surrounding language policy, planning, implementation and assessment.

This course offers free or low-cost digital learning that does not rely on high-bandwidth or infrastructure to access resources.

This course is for:

Indigenous community members wanting to develop a language plan for their family, local community, local schools or other settings
Indigenous community members interested in language and linguistic human rights, language policies, language conservation and maintenance
Graduate students and advanced undergraduate students in international development, teaching, public policy, political science, social sciences and other fields who are interested in language policy, planning, implementation and assessment
Teachers, policy makers, government officials and other practitioners interested in the policy and language factors impacting the communities they support and serve
Sustainable development practitioners who want to understand linguistic needs and the support that is necessary to help communities locally, regionally, nationally and/or internationally
Those who work for international aid organizations and nonprofits in the realms of human rights, language rights, Indigenous Peoples’ rights and education

What's inside

Learning objectives

Policies and frameworks that impact indigenous language use, linguistic rights and access to resources
How to plan, develop, implement and assess indigenous language projects for different contexts

Case studies from indigenous language scholar-educators and community members that offer insight into specific language initiatives, projects, programs, etc.

Policies and frameworks that impact indigenous language use, linguistic rights and access to resources
How to plan, develop, implement and assess indigenous language projects for different contexts
Case studies from indigenous language scholar-educators and community members that offer insight into specific language initiatives, projects, programs, etc.

Syllabus

Module 1: What is Language Policy?

Week 1: Key Concepts and Ideas

Local policies & frameworks

National policies & frameworks

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Examines how policies and frameworks impact Indigenous language use, linguistic rights, and access to resources

Provides guidance on planning, developing, implementing, and assessing Indigenous language projects for diverse settings

Features case studies from Indigenous language scholar-educators and community members, offering practical insights

Covers key concepts and frameworks in Indigenous language policy and planning, providing a solid foundation for understanding and practice

Requires Indigenous-led teams and centers Indigenous knowledge and community engagement throughout the language planning process

Course instructors are recognized for their expertise in Indigenous language revitalization and language rights

Reviews summary

Indigenous language revitalization planning

According to students, this course provides a comprehensive and vital exploration into the development and implementation of Indigenous language plans. Learners found the curriculum offered practical frameworks and strategies essential for revitalization efforts, grounded in community-centered approaches. The inclusion of real-world case studies from Indigenous scholar-educators and community members was particularly insightful and relevant. While praised for its accessibility, especially its low-bandwidth design, some mentioned the breadth of topics covered might necessitate further deep dives for highly specialized interests.

Covers extensive ground, may require further specialized study.

"I felt the course provided an excellent overview of policy, planning, implementation, and assessment."

"While comprehensive, I think some advanced topics could benefit from more in-depth exploration."

"For someone deeply specialized in one area, it might serve as a great foundation, but not the final word."

Designed for diverse learners, including those with limited internet.

"I was very grateful for the low-bandwidth design, which made it accessible even in remote areas."

"The course's design ensures that geographic location or internet access isn't a barrier to learning."

"It's fantastic that quality learning like this is available to a wide global audience regardless of infrastructure."

Serves as a solid guide for various professional contexts.

"This course is essential for anyone involved in policymaking or community development related to Indigenous languages."

"As a graduate student, it laid a crucial foundation for understanding linguistic human rights."

"I now feel better equipped to advise on sustainable development practices from a linguistic perspective."

Emphasizes Indigenous-led, community-driven methodologies.

"I appreciated the strong emphasis on community ownership and Indigenous-led initiatives throughout the modules."

"The case studies from actual Indigenous scholar-educators gave me invaluable, authentic perspectives."

"It was refreshing to learn about language planning from a truly community-driven lens, not just theoretical."

Offers actionable strategies for language planning.

"I found the practical steps for developing a language plan incredibly useful for my community work."

"The course equipped me with real-world strategies I can immediately apply to language revitalization."

"This course provided a clear roadmap for how to approach language planning and implementation."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Indigenous Languages: From Policy and Planning to Implementation and Assessment with these activities:

Create a digital library of course materials

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Having a well-organized collection of course materials will enhance your ability to review and reinforce the concepts covered in the course.

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Compile your lecture notes, readings, and other course materials.
Organise the materials into logical categories or folders.

Review basic linguistics concepts

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Refresh your knowledge of fundamental linguistic concepts to enhance your understanding of language planning and revitalization.

Browse courses on Linguistics

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Review textbooks or online resources on basic linguistics.
Complete practice exercises or quizzes.
Attend a refresher workshop or seminar.

Review key concepts and ideas

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Review foundational knowledge of the concepts surrounding language policy and planning can serve as a valuable refresher and allow you to pick up the course more easily.

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Review articles on indigenous language preservation and revitalization efforts
Summarize the key ideas of each article
Identify the main challenges and opportunities for indigenous language revitalization

16 other activities

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Organize course materials and create study aids

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Strengthen your understanding by organizing course materials and creating personalized study aids.

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Review lecture notes, readings, and assignments.
Identify key concepts and ideas.
Create outlines, concept maps, or flashcards.
Organize materials in a logical and accessible manner.

Review key concepts

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Reviewing the foundational ideas and principles will establish a strong foundation for understanding the materials covered in this course.

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Read through your notes from previous courses or study materials.
Practice answering practice questions.

Review grammatical concepts from Indigenous languages

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Brushing up on grammatical concepts will lay a strong foundation for understanding the course material.

Browse courses on Grammar

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Choose a resource to review grammar, such as a textbook or online course.
Review the basic parts of speech, such as nouns, verbs, and adjectives.
Study the rules of grammar, such as sentence structure and verb conjugation.

Read "Language: A Tool for Understanding" by Mario Pei

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of language from its historical origins to its role in human communication.

View Language for Everybody: What It is and How to... on Amazon

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Read the book thoroughly and take notes.
Identify key concepts and theories discussed in the book.
Reflect on the implications of the book's insights for your own understanding of language.

Explore resources from UNESCO's International Decade of Indigenous Languages

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Engaging with resources from UNESCO's International Decade of Indigenous Languages will provide valuable insights and perspectives on Indigenous language revitalization.

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Visit the official website of UNESCO's International Decade of Indigenous Languages.
Explore the various resources available on the website, such as reports, case studies, and best practices.

Compile resources and tools for language revitalization

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Gather and organize essential resources to support your language preservation efforts.

Browse courses on Language Revitalization

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Identify different types of resources, such as language learning materials, dictionaries, and software.
Search for resources through online databases, libraries, and community organizations.
Evaluate the quality and relevance of the resources.
Create a centralized repository or database for the resources.

Practice identifying language policies and frameworks

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Practicing the identification of language policies and frameworks will aid in developing your analytical skills in this area.

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Gather examples of language policies and frameworks.
Analyse each example to identify the key components and characteristics.
Practice classifying the policies and frameworks based on their characteristics.

Participate in language revitalization workshops

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Engage with experts and practitioners in language revitalization to share experiences and learn from their insights.

Browse courses on Language Revitalization

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Identify relevant workshops or conferences.
Attend sessions and participate in discussions.
Connect with other attendees to build networks.
Apply learnings from the workshops to your own language preservation efforts.

Develop a language plan outline

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Creating an outline of a language plan will help you apply the principles of language planning to the context of this course.

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Begin brainstorming ideas for a language plan based on the course concepts.
Organise your ideas into logical sections and components.
Develop a basic scaffold for your language plan that includes sections like goals, objectives, and strategies.

Follow tutorials on language planning and implementation

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Following tutorials will provide practical guidance on the processes involved in language planning and implementation.

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Identify reputable sources for tutorials, such as universities or language organizations.
Choose tutorials that cover specific aspects of language planning and implementation that you are interested in.
Follow the instructions provided in the tutorials and complete any exercises or assignments.

Complete language analysis practice problems

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Practice language analysis techniques to strengthen your understanding of language structure and patterns.

Browse courses on Language Analysis

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Review lecture materials on language analysis techniques.
Attempt practice problems from the textbook or other resources.
Compare your answers to the provided solutions.
Seek feedback from classmates or instructors if needed.

Participate in online discussion forums or study groups

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Engaging with peers will foster collaboration and exchange of ideas, enhancing your understanding of the course material.

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Join online discussion forums or study groups related to the course topic.
Participate actively in discussions, sharing your insights and asking questions.
Collaborate with peers on projects or assignments, if applicable.

Join a study group to discuss course concepts

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Engaging in peer discussions will foster comprehension, critical thinking, and exchange of diverse perspectives.

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Find a study group or form one with classmates.
Meet regularly to discuss course materials and assignments.

Develop a language preservation plan

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Apply your knowledge of language preservation strategies to create a plan for protecting an endangered language.

Browse courses on Language Preservation

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Research best practices in language preservation.
Identify stakeholders and their roles in the preservation effort.
Develop strategies for language documentation, revitalization, and education.
Create a budget and timeline for implementing the plan.
Present your plan to stakeholders for feedback and support.

Develop a language plan for your indigenous community

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Creating a language plan will provide you with hands-on experience in applying the concepts learned in the course.

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Gather information about your community's language needs and goals.
Research best practices for language planning and implementation.
Develop a plan that outlines your community's language goals, objectives, and strategies.
Present your plan to your community and seek feedback.

Contribute to open-source language preservation projects

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Join the global effort to preserve endangered languages by contributing to open-source initiatives.

Browse courses on Language Preservation

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Identify open-source projects related to language preservation.
Join the project team and communicate with other contributors.
Contribute code, documentation, or other resources to the project.
Provide feedback and participate in discussions.

Career center

Learners who complete Indigenous Languages: From Policy and Planning to Implementation and Assessment will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Indigenous Language Revitalization Specialist

An Indigenous Language Revitalization Specialist is responsible for planning, developing, and implementing programs and initiatives to revitalize Indigenous languages. This may involve working with communities to develop language plans, creating and delivering language learning materials, and promoting the use of Indigenous languages in various settings. This course provides a strong foundation for this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and principles of language policy and planning, as well as practical experience in developing and implementing language projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Indigenous Language Revitalization Specialist

Indigenous Language Policy Analyst

An Indigenous Language Policy Analyst is responsible for researching, analyzing, and developing policies and legislation related to Indigenous languages. This may involve working with governments, Indigenous communities, and other stakeholders to develop language policies that support the revitalization and maintenance of Indigenous languages. This course provides a strong foundation for this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and principles of language policy and planning, as well as practical experience in developing and implementing language projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Indigenous Language Policy Analyst

Indigenous Language Teacher

An Indigenous Language Teacher is responsible for teaching Indigenous languages to students of all ages. This may involve developing and delivering language learning materials, creating lesson plans, and assessing student progress. This course provides a strong foundation for this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and principles of language teaching and learning, as well as practical experience in developing and implementing language learning materials.

See salaries and explore the career path for Indigenous Language Teacher

Indigenous Language Researcher

An Indigenous Language Researcher is responsible for conducting research on Indigenous languages. This may involve studying the structure and grammar of Indigenous languages, documenting Indigenous language use, and developing new language learning materials. This course provides a strong foundation for this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and principles of language research, as well as practical experience in conducting language research projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Indigenous Language Researcher

Indigenous Language Archivist

An Indigenous Language Archivist is responsible for preserving and documenting Indigenous languages. This may involve collecting and cataloging Indigenous language materials, such as recordings, manuscripts, and artifacts. This course provides a strong foundation for this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and principles of language archiving, as well as practical experience in collecting and cataloging language materials.

See salaries and explore the career path for Indigenous Language Archivist

Indigenous Language Advocate

An Indigenous Language Advocate is responsible for promoting the use and revitalization of Indigenous languages. This may involve working with communities to develop language plans, creating and delivering language learning materials, and promoting the use of Indigenous languages in various settings. This course provides a strong foundation for this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and principles of language policy and planning, as well as practical experience in developing and implementing language projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Indigenous Language Advocate

Indigenous Language Consultant

An Indigenous Language Consultant is responsible for providing advice and support to Indigenous communities on language policy and planning. This may involve working with communities to develop language plans, create and deliver language learning materials, and promote the use of Indigenous languages in various settings. This course provides a strong foundation for this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and principles of language policy and planning, as well as practical experience in developing and implementing language projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Indigenous Language Consultant

Indigenous Language Educator

An Indigenous Language Educator is responsible for teaching Indigenous languages and cultures to students of all ages. This may involve developing and delivering language learning materials, creating lesson plans, and assessing student progress. This course provides a strong foundation for this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and principles of language teaching and learning, as well as practical experience in developing and implementing language learning materials.

See salaries and explore the career path for Indigenous Language Educator

Indigenous Language Policymaker

An Indigenous Language Policymaker is responsible for developing and implementing policies related to Indigenous languages. This may involve working with governments, Indigenous communities, and other stakeholders to develop language policies that support the revitalization and maintenance of Indigenous languages. This course provides a strong foundation for this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and principles of language policy and planning, as well as practical experience in developing and implementing language projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Indigenous Language Policymaker

Indigenous Language Planner

An Indigenous Language Planner is responsible for planning and implementing language projects and initiatives for Indigenous communities. This may involve working with communities to develop language plans, create and deliver language learning materials, and promote the use of Indigenous languages in various settings. This course provides a strong foundation for this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and principles of language policy and planning, as well as practical experience in developing and implementing language projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Indigenous Language Planner

Language Policy Analyst

A Language Policy Analyst is responsible for researching, analyzing, and developing policies and legislation related to language. This may involve working with governments, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to develop language policies that support the use and revitalization of languages. This course may be useful for this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and principles of language policy and planning, as well as practical experience in developing and implementing language projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Language Policy Analyst

Language Planner

A Language Planner is responsible for planning and implementing language projects and initiatives. This may involve working with communities, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to develop language plans, create and deliver language learning materials, and promote the use of languages in various settings. This course may be useful for this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and principles of language policy and planning, as well as practical experience in developing and implementing language projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Language Planner

Linguist

A Linguist is responsible for studying the structure and grammar of languages. This may involve conducting research on language acquisition, language change, and language use. This course may be useful for this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and principles of linguistics, as well as practical experience in conducting language research projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Linguist

School Administrator

A School Administrator is responsible for the overall management of a school. This may involve developing and implementing school policies, overseeing the curriculum, and hiring and evaluating teachers. This course may be useful for this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and principles of educational leadership, as well as practical experience in developing and implementing school policies.

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Teacher

A Teacher is responsible for teaching students of all ages. This may involve developing and delivering lesson plans, assessing student progress, and providing feedback to students. This course may be useful for this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and principles of education, as well as practical experience in developing and implementing lesson plans.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher