Inuit culture is rich in oral history. These stories, whether told aloud, recorded or
written down, are a valuable resource for language learning and the development
of literacy skills.
The development of language and literacy skills is a complex process that takes
place over time. Building these skills is most effective when both the content and
the experience of learning is made meaningful for learners. Language learning
is made meaningful when the content is connected to the cultural, social, and
political context of the learner’s life. However, it is equally important that learners
have opportunities to practice using language in different ways for different
purposes and in different contexts.
Below we have summarized how oral history projects can support the development
of language and literacy skills through the practical use of language.
Developing Speaking Skills
- Learning and using new vocabulary – traditional Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun
words that are not used by younger Inuit now and vocabulary related to
technical skills.
- Developing speaking skills with a variety of audiences in different contexts – one-on-one, with small groups, with Elders, groups of mixed ages, community
groups, partner organizations, professional organizations, on radio and over
the telephone.
- Developing speaking skills for different purposes – to organize, negotiate,
discuss, debate, invite, present, inform, announce, instruct, entertain, plan and
host an event.
Developing Listening Skills
- Listening in different contexts and with different audiences – during group
discussions, brainstorming and feedback sessions, in a large audience, with
peers, with Elders, with community members.
- Listening for different purposes – in order to transcribe stories and songs, to
respond, to take notes, to get specific information, to remember important
details, to learn new vocabulary.
Developing Reading Skills
- Reading different kinds of text – brainstormed lists, script outlines, articles,
books, instructions, transcribed stories, e-mails, advertising, commentaries,
web sites and maps.
- Developing different kinds of reading skills – skimming, scanning,
comprehension, predicting, decoding strategies, using personal experiences
and context clues to get meaning from text, etc.
- Reading for different purposes – to find specific information, to develop
knowledge of a topic, for pleasure, to learn a skill, to edit.