In order to save her local language from becoming the possibility of extinction, a veteran teacher from the Western Highlands province is offering language learning lessons in Hagen Melpa and Timbka/Miam for a week in attempts to save her language.
Rose Naginel, a woman with over 22 years of experience in teaching Business studies in TVET institutions across the country has now taken a up a challenge to teach young Western Highlanders living in the Capital.
She says what prompted her to start teaching her language was due to her observations on a large number of youth in the country lacking the ability to speak in their native tongues, and said it is sad that they lack such an important aspect of their traditional Identity.
“What prompted me was that a lot of people when they move away from their villages to get an education, then tend to raise their kids predominantly in English or Tok Pisin.”
“It’s our culture, and we have to maintain our identity.”
Naginel says even though this may be good, she called on people not to forget their identity and roots.
So far, she has already fashioned her own language training module, where she intends to introduce to her students in her first lesson next week.
Rose is encouraging everyone to attend even people from other parts of the country, adding that it will be a positive experience.
Fees are K25 an hour, with two-hour classes at the Servant Heart Ministry, Gerehu.
Classes will start on the 10th and end on the 14th of this month.