euskalkultura.eus

Boise, Idaho.  NABO’s Euskara coordinator, Izaskun Kortazar, let us know about the workshop taking place last weekend in Boise.  The intensive course began on October 14^th with a welcome dinner for the teacher participants.  “Tonight the teachers will get together for dinner, to get to know each other, and to sing songs in Basque. This year we have a lot of new teachers and it is a great opportunity to get to know them,” said Kortazar.

On Saturday, the workshop took place at the Basque Museum in Boise.  The day began with a meeting where Kortazar evaluated what has been done over the last four years as well as goals attained.  Furthermore, she outlined the objectives for the next four years, and then, with the input of the participants, compiled the steps that need to be taken to achieve those goals.  In addition, guidelines on how to prepare, balance, and improve classes were also taught. 

At noon the teachers took a break and were treated to Basque pintxos from the Basque Market.

The teachers conducting this workshop were Nere Lete, Basque professor at Boise State University and Itxaso Cayero, NABO’s Assistant Euskara Coordinator.  “In the afternoon, Nere Lete presented techniques and technology for teaching adults while Itxaso Cayero explained some ideas to make children’s classes more dynamic.  It was a very practical course, so that lessons learned here could be used later in classes at home.  In conclusion I presented some ideas to make adult classes more dynamic,” Kortazar concluded.

There was a dinner at Boise’s Basque Center to conclude the workshop, where teachers could get to know other Basques in the local community.