Listening

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Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. airlift
    • ex. Food and water were airlifted to the village after the storm destroyed the roads.
  2. uproot
    • ex. Many families were uprooted from their homes after the earthquake.
  3. a principal
    • ex. The principal works hard to make sure the school is safe and organized.
  4. evacuate
    • ex. Families had to evacuate their homes when the storm became too strong.
  5. feel at home
    • ex. I visited and lived at a foreigner friend's house for a week, and her family made me feel at home.

Article

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After Typhoon Halong flooded villages along the Bering Sea, hundreds of residents were airlifted to Anchorage, Alaska. Ten-year-old Rayann Martin and her family were among those uprooted by the storm, which damaged or destroyed nearly 700 homes. Some children are finding comfort in a school immersion program that teaches the Yup’ik language and culture. Rayann says she is happy to speak more Yup’ik with her mother, teachers, and classmates.

Anchorage has more than 100 home languages, and Yup’ik is the fifth most common. The Yup’ik immersion program began about nine years ago and is based at College Gate Elementary and Wendler Middle School. The school’s principal, Darrell Berntsen, is Alaska Native and understands that the flood victims must miss their homes. He welcomed families as they evacuated to Anchorage and invited them to join the program.

Seventy-one new students have joined the program, making it one of the fastest-growing programs in the district. Students learn Yup’ik for half the day and English for the other half. Berntsen hopes the program will help children feel at home and keep Alaska Native culture alive.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Photo Credits: The Associated Press

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Unique School Programs and Immersion Programs

  • Some children are finding comfort in a school immersion program that teaches the Yup’ik language and culture. Have you ever participated in an immersion program? Discuss.
  • The school immersion program in Anchorage, Alaska, teaches Yup’ik language and culture. What do you think is the importance of learning a native language and culture? Discuss.
  • If you could create a unique school program or immersion program, what would it be and why? Discuss.

Learning a New Language

  • Rayann says she is happy to speak Yup’ik with her mother, teachers, and classmates. What makes learning a new language enjoyable for you? Discuss.
  • In your experience, is learning a new language easy or difficult? Discuss.
  • If you were to learn a new language, what would it be and why? Discuss.