Basic Kichwa 1

The Basic Kichwa 1 course aims to teach students the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) at a basic level through the acquisition of general grammar and vocabulary knowledge that will enable them to achieve skills for basic communication in Kichwa. The course is experiential; grammar is not taught but only as a complement to experiential learning, i.e., through the use of the language in conversations. Thus, by the end of the course, the student will have the necessary training to ask and answer questions about basic information: names, moods, studies, work, preferences, etc.

The course includes learning basic notions of Kichwa grammar such as: Kichwa alphabet, basic pronunciation rules, basic vocabulary, basic sentence structure, open and closed questions, pronouns, simple present tense conjugation, handling of location, origin, destination, company, ownership, affirmation and negation particles, imperative and prohibitive sentences, and direct object. Additionally, as part of language learning, fundamental elements of Kichwa culture in its different versions will be covered, such as understanding the world, experiencing time, forms of relationship between people and with nature, and general knowledge about the different Kichwa peoples of Ecuador. Participation and attendance may also be considered.

Advanced Conversation
This course focuses on practicing fluency and listening comprehension skills in both formal and informal oral communication contexts. The objective is for students to be able to initiate, maintain, and end conversations in Spanish. Conversation topics will include cultural and social themes relevant to Ecuador, Latin America, and the world.