Both introductory and advanced language classes start on Jan. 21

By Nunatsiaq News

Starting next week, anyone in Montreal can learn Inuktitut in the classroom.

Two 12-session courses, one for beginners and one for more advanced learners, will start on Monday, Jan. 21, at the Avataq Cultural Institute.

George Filotas, a former manager of the Fédération des co-opératives du Nouveau-Québec, will teach the classes.

He learned to speak the language in Kangirsuk in the early 1970s and speaks Inuktitut fluently.

Filotas has taught the Inuit language for years at the Montreal Children’s Hospital and at John Abbott College. He even developed course materials for Nunavik Sivunitsavut, the Montreal-based college program for Nunavik Inuit.

Beginners will learn the foundations of speaking Inuktitut, as well as the syllabic system specific to Nunavik.

But the Roman alphabet will be used in course material to help ease students into learning the language.

During the classes, students will develop the language habits necessary to move on to more complex communication.

The advanced Inuktitut class is for students who have already mastered the pronunciation, grammar and verb elements.

Students in this course will get to strengthen their Inuktitut language skills. They will work with written and audio documents on the traditional and contemporary life of Nunavimmiut.

“Learning a new language as an adult is never easy,” said Filotas.

“Learning a new language where the structure and function is different from English or French is even less easy.”

Filotas adds that success in the class depends on attendance and time put into learning.

Each class is three hours long, once a week. Classes are offered on either Monday or Wednesday for introductory students, or Thursday for advanced students.

All courses start at 5:30 p.m.

Registration costs $250. That includes all course materials, except for a dictionary.

If you are interested in taking one of these courses, you can call Filotas at 514-738-3968 or email gfilotas@videotron.ca.