While first generation immigrants worry about their children learning English and adjusting to American culture, us…. the 1.5+ generation Armenians who grew up in the U.S. fear that through English-dominance, we will fail to effectively keep Armenian alive in our own children. We struggle with teaching children to speak in Armenian when we tend to speak English more effortlessly. A lack of educational options and quality Armenian language classes only adds to our stress of keeping the language alive and in use.
ToTalk®’s Solution
ToTalk® Armenian aims to teach Armenian language to children while simultaneously supporting the Armenian economy through job creation and donations.
ToTalk® employs modern, innovative learning methods and customized lessons for each child to learn by visual, auditory, oral, and kinesthetic methods. This allows each child to engage with the material and absorb the information to their highest ability based on their individual learning styles.
Following Nature’s Lead
Children are taught speaking first, then a simultaneous combination of writing and reading, which is the most natural way of learning a language, as seen in babies and toddlers. Our introductory workbooks are customized to be written in Armenian, English, and transliteration. This way, children can hear the Armenian word, see the Armenian writing even if they are unfamiliar with it at first, read the Armenian word with Latin letters, and see the images that the word describes. Once your child has graduated from their level 1 workbooks, they will begin learning how to read and write Armenian.
Workbooks
In addition to live interaction with their teacher, each child will follow a carefully curated workbook designed to teach them not only Armenian, but to provide enrichment in areas of logic, cognitive reasoning, comprehension and oration. The lessons are in 45 minute increments, which is proven to to be the most effective time for attention retention. Each teacher is trained to follow high tech, modern, innovative teaching manuals.
Flocks
Research shows that the highest predictor of language use and retention in 2nd or 3rd generations is an influx of new immigrants. To replicate this experience with the help of modern technology, ToTalk® hosts group sessions called Flocks. Flocks are teacher facilitated group classes in which ToTalk® students in America connect live and learn with students from Armenia in small groups called “flocks”.
Teachers Living in Armenia
ToTalk® teachers all live in Armenia and have graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Education. ToTalk® is dedicated to hiring highly qualified teachers in Armenia and paying them generously with a goal of improving the Armenian economy.
Giving Back
Not only will ToTalk® directly employ teachers living in Armenia, but 10% of proceeds are donated each year to support Armenian’s education systems:
- Providing full term scholarships to university students
- Funding living expenses for students from villages wishing to attend universities and colleges.
- Remodeling and improving primary and secondary schools.
- Equipping primary and secondary school with classroom supplies and technology.
Results
Learn Armenian
Although they will always be English-Dominant, with ToTalk®’s classes, our students will enjoy and feel comfortable speaking Armenian. Our goal is to help raise well rounded Armenians who feel confident speaking in Armenian to a family member, friend, or future client or co-worker.
Create Friendship
Students will build friendships with students in Armenia. Creating this bond with Armenia through the Flocks program will make the world more accessible for your child and build a pathway from the Diaspora to Armenia.
Give to Armenia
The vision at Totalk® is simple: Foster the growth and protection of the Armenian language and identity for generations to come, and ensure the development and prosperity of Armenia through job creations and donation.
