Immersion Schools
The first modern 'Immersion School' began in Quebec, Canada in 1965. A proven effective method for teaching a language--and information through the cultural framework of that language--they've taken off, and are used to teach a whole range of languages, particularly Indigenous languages. Immersion schools have been successful in helping bringing back Maori and Hawai'ian languages. Alaska has at least three immersion schools and other school language programs exist as well.
Ayaprun Elitnaurvik
Bethel, Alaska
Ayaprun Elitnaurvigmi elluarrluta Yugtun qaneryaram tunginun elitnauriciqukut: ellaturivkarluki, taikanivkarluki Yugtun piciryaraput, qaneryaraput, yuuyarput-llu.
We, the community of Ayaprun Elitnaurvik, will strive to provide a high quality Yugtun immersion education: empowering our diverse students by strengthening their knowledge, use, and understanding of Yup’ik core values, language, and culture.
Anchorage Yup'ik Immersion
Anchorage, Alaska
College Gate Elementary is the first Urban School in the United States to offer an indigenous language. Our Yup'ik Immersion Program is in the sixth year of implementation. The program started in 18-19 SY with only a Kindergarten class. Each year following, another grade has been added. During the 24-25 school there are now K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade Yup'ik Immersion classrooms offered at College Gate.
The Yup'ik Immersion Classroom day is split into two parts. An English Class and a Yup'ik Class by grade level. At midday, these groups flip so that the group that started with Yup'ik Immersion in the morning will go to English Immersion for the afternoon. In the Yup'ik Immersion classroom, teachers and staff only speak Yup'ik. The content during this part of the day is Science and Social Studies. The English Immersion side is taught in English and covers English Language Arts and Math.