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Indigenous Language Proficiency
DINLP Diploma (Short)
The Diploma in Indigenous Language Proficiency consists of 30 upper division units to achieve at least an intermediate oral proficiency and minimum 2.0 GPA.
DINLP Diploma (Full)
This program is for students who wish to acquire high intermediate to advanced oral proficiency in a particular Indigenous language, to revitalize their languages in their communities by contributing to restore intergenerational transmission through institutional and family-oriented use of the language, to teach this language in schools or to adult learners, and to develop resources for Indigenous Language learners at all levels.
The diploma can be completed on a full or part-time basis.
The prerequisite for this Diploma is normally prior completion of the SFU 27 units undergraduate certificate in Indigenous Language Proficiency (CINLP). Students who have completed a Certificate equivalent to the SFU CINLP at other postsecondary institutions, or who undergo a Prior Learning Assessment and demonstrate skills in the language equivalent to at least low intermediate language proficiency according to ACTFL (the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) and CEFR (the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) or similar benchmarks, may also be admitted into the DINLP. Advanced placement in the DINLP may be obtained through course challenge, provided the applicant undergoes assessment equivalent to what is required of regular students (including a Language Proficiency Assessment, where required). Subject to a Letter of Permission from SFU, and subject to not having used transfer credit towards a credential at another university, students may apply to use up to nine units of transfer credit from other institutions.* Credit may be applied to a specific language and is achieved by examination from an instructor in that language with the approval of the Program.
Advising for this diploma is provided by the Department of Linguistics through the Indigenous Languages Program (INLP). Students should plan their program in consultation with the Indigenous Languages Program Advisor or an Associate Director (inlp@sfu.ca). Each cohort must also consult with their respective language cohort's INLP Associate Director (inlp@sfu.ca) on course electives planning.
*Courses that students may be able to transfer could include LING 360, LING 408 and LING 430, all of which have similar courses at UBC and UVIC.
Program Requirements
The DINLP consists of 30 units.* At least 15 units must be earned by completing core upper level courses in the Indigenous language itself.
Students complete the following
Students will gain increasing familiarity with, and practical competence in the use of complex and advanced grammatical patterns of an Indigenous language in order to facilitate accurate communication in that language, in both oral and written form. Prerequisite: Completion of Certificate in Indigenous Language Proficiency offered in the same language as INLG (or FNLG) 300, including INLG (or FNLG) 200 or LING 220; or with permission of instructor. Students who have taken INLG (or FNLG) 335 or LING 335 or INLG (or FNLG) 435 or LING 435 with the same topic as INLG 300 may not take this course for further credit. Students with credit for FNLG 300 may not take this course for further credit.
Aimed at building conversational and narrative fluency and proficiency in a particular Indigenous language. Taught through a “stay in the language” approach through authentic practice of traditional skills and knowledge, as well as everyday communication in both written and oral form. Students may retake this course with focus on a different Indigenous language. Prerequisite: Completion of Certificate in Indigenous Language Proficiency; or with permission of instructor. Students with credit for FNLG 333 may not take this course for further credit.
Continuation of Indigenous language proficiency intermediate level I builds further conversational and narrative fluency and proficiency in a designated Indigenous language. Taught through a “stay in the language” approach involving practice of traditional culture-based and everyday skills in a language. Students may retake this course with focus on a different Indigenous language. Prerequisite: Completion of Certificate in Indigenous Language Proficiency including INLG (or FNLG) 333 (or as corequisite); or permission of instructor. Students with credit for FNLG 334 may not take this course for further credit for the same designated language.
Intensive immersion "on the land" or in a classroom setting led by elder or fluent speaker in an Indigenous language at an intermediate level. Exposes learners to a variety of authentic situations where the language is used and spoken in everyday tasks. May be taken again when offered in another Indigenous language set of courses. Prerequisite: Completion of Certificate in Indigenous Language Proficiency including INLG (or FNLG) 258; or permission of instructor.
Continuation of intensive immersion "on the land" led by elder or fluent speaker in an Indigenous language at a high intermediate to early advanced level. Exposes learners to a variety of authentic situations where the language is used and spoken in everyday tasks. May be taken again when offered in another Indigenous language. Prerequisite: Completion of Certificate in Indigenous Language Proficiency including INLG (or FNLG) 358; or permission of instructor.
In addition, students must complete at least 15 units selected from the following courses**
Content varies as required by Indigenous language communities or learners. Usually focuses on intermediate to advanced level topics on structural aspects of a particular Indigenous language, emphasizing language learning and teaching. Prerequisite: INLG (or FNLG) 130, INLG (or FNLG) 133, INLG (or FNLG) 233 or permission of instructor. Recommended: LING 360.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| A320 | TBD | ||
| A325 | TBD | ||
| A390 | TBD | ||
| A770 | TBD | ||
| A970 | TBD | ||
| A975 |
Janet Leonard |
TBD |
Intended for advanced learners of a particular Indigenous language. Offers advanced vocabulary and/or grammatical skills through individualized practice with fluent speakers (usually elders) of that language. Enrollment requires prior approval of the Department of Linguistics and the local Indigenous community. Students will be evaluated on the basis of the individualized goals and objects set at the beginning of the course. This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. Prerequisite: INLG (or FNLG) 332 or permission of course supervisor. Students who have completed FNLG 433 (or LING 433) for a designated language may not complete this course for further credit for the same designated language.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| A100 | TBD | ||
| A320 |
Donna Gerdts |
TBD | |
| A330 | TBD | ||
| A340 | TBD | ||
| A350 | TBD | ||
| A370 | TBD | ||
| A380 | TBD | ||
| A390 | TBD | ||
| A770 | TBD |
Offers additional advanced vocabulary and/or grammatical skills in the Indigenous language through individualized practice with fluent speakers (usually elders) of that language. This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. Prerequisite: INLG (or FNLG) 433 or permission of course supervisor. Recommended: LING 431 and 432. Students who have completed FNLG 434 (or LING 434) for a designated language may not complete this course for further credit for the same designated language.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| A100 | TBD | ||
| A200 | TBD | ||
| A320 |
Donna Gerdts |
TBD | |
| A340 | TBD | ||
| A350 | TBD | ||
| A370 | TBD | ||
| A380 | TBD | ||
| A390 | TBD |
Content varies as required by Indigenous language communities or learners. Usually focuses on advanced level topics on structural aspects of a particular Indigenous language, emphasizing language learning and teaching. Students may repeat this course for further credit under a different topic. Prerequisite: LING 220, INLG (or FNLG) 332 or permission of instructor. Recommended: LING 360, 431 and 432. Students who have completed FNLG 435 for a designated topic may not complete this course for further credit for the same designated topic.
Theoretical and practical aspects of second language learning. Prerequisite: LING 282W.
Structural and genetic characteristics of Indigenous languages of the Americas and beyond, with a focus on the application of linguistic knowledge in community-based language revitalization. The course may include a detailed examination of one language or language family. Prerequisite: 60 units.
Detailed examination of the structure of a selected language. Prerequisite: LING 282W.
Detailed examination of the structure of a selected language. Prerequisite: LING 282W.
* must be the same Indigenous language
** The first six focus on a single language, and the remaining courses may focus on a different Indigenous language (LING 408) or on more than one languages (LING 360 and LING 430).
*** If the course is primarily focused on an Indigenous language.
Students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 calculated on all courses applied to the diploma that are completed at Simon Fraser University.
Notes:
- Units applied to this diploma may also be applied to major or minor programs of a bachelor’s degree under the normal regulations governing those programs, but may not be applied to other Simon Fraser University certificates or diplomas.
- Some of the courses have prerequisites not included in the diploma requirements. Students are responsible for satisfying the prerequisites of all courses in their programs. Prerequisite information can be found in the University calendar in the course descriptions section.
- Students intending to pursue this diploma should consult with the program advisor.
- Any student admitted to a diploma program who subsequently transfers to a degree program must complete the university WQB degree requirements.