Fulbright Language Teaching Assistants at ELI
- July 29th, 2024
- in English Language Institute International Main
Quechua is the ancient language of the Incas and the native language of three future Fulbright Language Teaching Assistants (FLTAs). Mercedes Velarde (Peru), Jairo Mariscal (Bolivia) and Elsa Cain (Ecuador) spent six weeks at the English Language Institute in the summer before traveling to three U.S. universities to teach Quechua in 2024-2025. Their time at the ELI gave them the opportunity to perfect their English and adapt to U.S. culture, but their main purpose will be to promote the Indigenous language of their countries and help to preserve its use.
The FLTAs learned Quechua from their parents and grandparents, who often suffered discrimination due to the language they spoke. Today there are systems in place to help people maintain Quechua, but migration from the countryside to the cities means that most young people now speak only Spanish. The FLTAs all expressed pride in their Indigenous language and culture. Elsa said, “Through our scholarships others will realize the importance of Quechua and help the new generation to become interested.”