FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Guatemala Goes Global: K'iche' Language Now Taught Online
Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, 22 January 2009 - - learners of the Guatemalan indigenous language K'iche' can now use the internet to have 1-to-1 lessons with native speaking teachers in Guatemala. Faster broadband speeds around the world are creating new opportunities for people to learn lesser-taught languages, such as K'iche'.
1-to-1 live K'iche' lessons were, until recently, only available to students physically in Guatemala. This is the first time that such classes are offered on the internet and it allows K'iche' learners around the world to take lessons from home without travelling to Guatemala.
K'iche' is an indigenous Mayan language that is spoken by one million people in the Guatemalan highlands. The ancient Mayan text "Popol Vuh" was written in the Classical K'iche' language.
Online K'iche' lessons are an example of how globalization can make minority cultures and languages available to a far wider audience than was previously possible. "English may be the most widely learned language, but there are many who want and need to learn indigenous languages, for example researchers, travelers and those working in international development" says Howard Vickers, director of Avatar Languages.
New "web 2.0" programs (including Google Docs and online whiteboards) has also been a key factor in the development of online language teaching. "Our approach allows the student and teacher to interact with each other, just as if they were sitting at the same table, writing in the same notebook" says Howard Vickers, Director of Avatar Languages, "now anyone can learn any language, anywhere - we provide the opportunity for students in Europe to have a live and interactive lesson with teachers in Central America."
For a free demonstration or further information on the online K'iche' lessons, contact Howard Vickers or visit www.avatarlanguages.com/kiche.php.
Avatar Languages is an online language school offering one-to-one language classes to students globally. Avatar Languages was established by Howard Vickers, an English teacher with international experience, currently in Bolivia.
Contact:
Howard Vickers, Director of Avatar Languages
Avatar Languages
+591 730 90211 (Bolivia)
howard@avatarlanguages.com
howard.avatar.english (Skype)
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