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The 2017 Winter Euskara Munduan Barnetegi has concluded in Bahia Blanca, with the participation of students of Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.  The reorganized group of students and teachers are preparing for their exams in July 2019 in Argentina.  This may also be the last Barnetegi that is conducted under HABE’s management, since in the coming months the program for training Basque teachers will transfer to the Etxepare Institute.

Bahia Blanca, Argentina.   The Union Vasca Basque Club in Bahia Blanca hosted Basque students and teachers July 15-22 who participated in the Winter Barnetegi.  Sponsored by HABE and FEVA, and organized by the local Basque cub, the course gathered some 20 Basque teachers in training, many of whom also participated in the training days that took place after the Barnetegi, from Saturday noon through Sunday afternoon.

After it was over, EuskalKultura.com visited with the director of the Euskara Munduan Program, Kinku Zinkunegi who was pleased with how the gathering went and said that he has high expectations for the results of the exam that they will take in July of 2019 in Argentina.

Zinkunegi explained that “ as part of the program developed by HABE and FEVA we have always organized two Barnetegis a year, one in the winter and another in the summer.  This can be compared to a typical winter Barnetegi with some differences in regards to prior versions.  This is due to the World Congress of Basque Collectivities that took place in 2015 in Gasteiz, when FEVA requested that Euskara Munduan provide the possibility of a B2 level for the group who had completed B1.  So, since March through 2019 the goal is for this group to attain that level.  This was the first different of this Barnetegi, since it was focused on that goal.”

“On the other hand, anyone who is at level B1, and passed the exams taken in 2012 in Buenos Aires has the level to join this group that has already begun, and so we invite those individuals to join in.  This means that the original group from San Nicolas has been reorganized and that this was the first Barnetegi with this new mixed group.  It was really very successful with members feeling very comfortable and it worked well for all.  During the week, all we heard was Basque during the meals, after meals, and during personal conversations, besides of course during class.  This was so this group could take the exam in 2019 in Argentina.

Material and training

“Following the usual methodology, the teachers in charge of teaching the classes were trained in Argentina, as part of the Program.  This time it was Irene Lopez de Vicuña’s turn from Euskaltzaleak in Buenos Aires, as well as for Cecilia Cenoz from Gure Txokoa in Azul.  As always we had the collaboration of Maizpide where the material is created,” he said.

“Beginning on Saturday at noon and through Sunday, we held special training.  In regards to this it should be noted that before, even if Basque was the main language, there was always the opportunity to summarize in Spanish.  At this advanced level, however, we conducted the entire training only in Basque.”

“The work done during this time was to standardize evaluation methods.  In Argentina we don’t have the criteria or standardized terminology to say, for example, what level a group is: and that is why we did this exercise just like teachers in the Basque Country do.  We used writing samples and oral exams as examples and after much discussion created criteria.  It was a very appropriate task at this time and without a doubt will be very useful.

In regards to the site of the Barnetegi, Kinku had nothing but good to say and was very thankful to the hosting club.  “We have held several Barnetegis in Bahia, but it was like 10 or 12 years ago…so it was wonderful to be back.  The club opened its doors to us, and we felt at home, they took care of us….Everyone was ready to help and so we would like to thank everyone who made the Barnetegi in Bahia possible, as well as the Union Vasca Basque Club.

Zinkunegi also noted that this was the last Barnetegi to be held under the management of HABE, since the Euskara Munduan Program will now become part of the Etxepare Institute in a few months.