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Sponsored by HABE, the Summer Barnetegi 2016 – intensive Euskera course, began on January 23.  Authorities form FEVA and FIVU gathered at the Hotel Pocitas to welcome the students and teachers and to let them know what the 2016-2019 cycle will look like in regards to teachers’ training. 

Montevideo, Uruguay.  After an intense week, the southern American Summer Barnetegi 2016 will conclude on Saturday. It is being attended by students from Argentina, Brazil as well as Uruguay.  The dynamic of the course, well on its way, is being similar to previous years, although there are some novelties, above all the presentation of the program for the next four years.

EuskalKultura.com was given the opportunity to meet with director of the Euskara Munduan Program, Kinku Zinkunegi.  He provided the following lines as an evaluation of the current status of the program, while explaining what decisions were made at the last Congress of World Collectivities in regards to Basque teacher training.

Zinkunegi explained that this barnetegi is the seventh of this four-year cycle, “and we can say that we have reached “cruising speed.” The course’s dynamic is similar to previous ones, with not too many big changes, but there are a few students that haven´t  been able to attend. But as we have expressed on other occasions, the group is completely consolidated and the overall evaluation is good since we are achieving what we had said we would.  Our expectations are being met, and very well besides.”

A Step Further

“Remember that last year we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Argentinan Euskaraz Program that made very clear that the program is successful and has given very good results; that is why we think it’s a great time to go a step further.  What does that mean?  It is clear that the experience of training teachers and the possibility to teach classes in Basque clubs is guarantee; however, there is always something to do and to be aware of.  After these 25 years we realize that there are still some rough spots and some things that we need to improve.

“Our main goal is to guarantee that Euskera is taught in the Basque clubs and this after the teachers have been trained.  But we have also realized that there needs to be sensitivity training.  In several Basque clubs we have realized that teachers are “allowed to teach classes, but those linked to them have the risk of always being “the Basque ones, tge Basque language supporters” as if they were something separate from the institution, or as if they were not integrated.  Our challenge today is that these teachers and students stop being “the Euskera ones” and that Euskera becomes an re ally active and essential part of the everyday life of the centers.  How? By getting the directors and the members of the boards involved.  In some clubs this has already happened and it would be good to use them as an example.  The prestige of the language has to come from the Basque clubs and this is also the responsibility of its authorities."

Visibility of Euskera

“Also investing in the visibility of the language, when a barnetegi is held in a town or city, this is the perfect opportunity to give visibility to the language and its instruction, outside of the barnetegi.  Taking advantage of everyone being gathered, to motivate the people and to show them that people can learn.”

“On these occasions, for example we have students from various Basque clubs in Montevideo that are participating in the course.  They come to class, they share meals, and spend the day together, although later they go home to sleep.  It is also a way to encourage them.  I think that for the sake of the continuation of the project, it is very important to sensitize people.”

Looking toward the next four years

“As everyone knows, the World Congress of Basque Collectivities was celebrated in Vitoria-Gasteiz in 2015 and for us it was an opportunity to close one phase and to open another. At that time, the group that is working currently in Montevideo was in their sixth level, that is to say, looking at the 1st level (B1 European Frame of Languages).  At the time to make a decision for their future, we have two options; if the necessity lies in increasing the number of teachers, we need to open a new group.  But also this possibility is to invest in professionalization, that is to say the quality.  And for this opportunity we have decided that instead of ending these students’ training, we try to take them, over the next four years to the 2nd (B2 European Frame of Languages).  That is to say that by 2020 we would have a group of students-teachers ready to become accredited at this second level.”

“In the same way, we measure the students who had plans before joining int.  Remember that October of 2012 was the first time that the exams for levels 1, 2, and 3 in HABE were given outside of Europe.  The methodology will always be to reinforce weak spots, for example, that having to do with oral competency.  We invite everyone who has finished the training, all who are teaching in Basque clubs.  This invitation comes from FEVA to the Basque clubs.”

“In 2016, the current group is working to finish Level 1.  That doesn’t mean that this is the level of the entire group.  We will place certain conditions, including that you will have to have a minimum of A2 in order to continue the process.  Groups will also be included that lacked just a bit to pass Level 1 in 2012.  That is why the goal for 2016 will be to control the contents of Level B1.  In 2017 anyone who has passed Level 1 will be invited to start Level 2, and in 2018, those who didn’t pass the first time. In this way, the train will continue forward so that by the end of 2019 we will be in good shape to accredit this level.  In addition, in 2019 another World Congress of Basque Collectivities will be held.”

Union of forces in Montevideo

In regards to what is going on in Montevideo, Zinkunegi was very happy with how the course was going and explains that one of the reasons for organizing the activity in the Uruguayan capital has to do with the current situation of the Basque clubs in the country.

“Euskera’s situation is complex in Montevideo: there are three Basque clubs as well as an association that has yet to be recognized and classes are also taught at university.  We think that there is too much division of forces and our goal, bringing the barnetegi here, is to try and collaborate and to achieve uniting these forces.  That is why, even if it is organized by FEVA we have asked FIVU to collaborate and who complied completely.  I would like to thank FEVA represented by Hugo Andiazabal and the Vice-president Arantxa Anitua and FIVU, whose president Enrique Poittevin and Secretary Lucía Goñi have also accompanied us.”

“I would also like to thank the teachers Dani Oiarbide, and Sabrina Otegui, who are already veterans at this, but it never hurts to recognize their work and especially the peace that their presence provides us.  My thanks to the federations and to all of the participants.”