The purpose of the Diné Language Teacher Institute (DLTI) cohort program is to support the unique needs of Diné communities when revitalizing and sustaining their languages by increasing the number of Diné language teachers. To this end, UNM offers 18 total hours of coursework that has a specific focus on using language immersion methodologies for Diné language revitalization in community and school-based settings.

These courses specifically cover Diné language immersion teaching ideologies that draw upon the tribal strengths of Diné communities and utilize community based (k’é) approaches to language teaching methodologies, pedagogies, and research. The 18-hour course work includes the following required courses:  

• Native American Studies: (3 credit hours)
  • NATV 462: Native American Oral Tradition and Language Reclamation (graduate or undergraduate credit); OR
  • NATV 2315: Indigenous Language Revitalization and Community renewal (undergraduate credit)
• Navajo Language/Linguistics: (6 credit hours total)
  • NVJO 315/515: Advanced Navajo (Navajo for Speakers); AND
  • NVJO 401/501: Navajo Linguistics
• Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies (LLSS) (9 credit hours total)
  • LLSS 449: Teaching the Native Language to Native Speakers (Diné Community Language Advocacy and Engagement); AND
  • LLSS 493: Topics: Teaching Native Language in Immersion Settings (Diné Language Immersion focus); AND
  • LLSS 493: Topics: Language Curriculum Development for Heritage Languages (Diné Language focus)

In order to earn the Diné Language Immersion Teacher Certificate, DLTI students must complete the above 18-credit hours of courses as well as another 12 hours of courses. These additional hours can be earned by transferring credits from other institutions or by completing additional courses at UNM in Linguistics, the Navajo Language Program (NLP), Native American Studies, or Language Literacy and Sociocultural Studies (LLSS).