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| 4/16/2006 | Email this article • Print this article | Concordia University offers Hmong Language Class
Amy Doeun
For the first time this semester Concordia University is offering a course in the Hmong Language. According to Instructor Lee Pao Xiong, these students are the “guinea pigs.” Originally the plan was to launch the class this fall along with a new minor in Hmong Studies, however Xiong stated that the students said, “No, we want to learn now.” Currently 17 students are enrolled in the class, all of them Native Hmong speakers.
On Thursday, April 6, HMONG TIMES had an opportunity to observe this class first hand and talk with some of the students. Fourteen students attended the class which is held from 6:20-8:30 on Thursday nights. David Her commented that his goal was to “improve his reading and speaking ability.” He hopes to one day use what he learns in a career, though he is not sure what that will be at this time. Khoo Xiong has more personal reasons for wanting to improve her ability in Hmong. “I want to use it for my dad. He writes letters in Hmong and always wants me to proofread them or type them on my computer,” she said. This class will enable her to serve her father better.
In early April the students are about 2/3 of the way through their semester. Lee Pao Xiong spoke about the structure of the class. “We start with consonants then move to vowels then tone markers.” Choua Vang added, “We take it slow, even though we understand reading is very difficult.” For Jane Lee the silent vowels were the hardest to understand.
“Once you have the tone they move to words … constructing words.” Lee Pao Xiong continued. Finally they begin to read and construct sentences. This was the syllabus topic for April 6 though Xiong went on to say, “We are going slower then we anticipated.”
One common complaint from students and instructor alike is that since the class only meets once a week it is easy to forget what you learned the previous week. This class will be offered again in the fall, though perhaps in a more advanced form. Xiong stated that eventually the goal is to have a beginning, intermediate and advanced class in Hmong language.
Kau Lee added that even with the problems of a first time class, “Being in class has helped my confidence in speaking Hmong. I can really see that at home.”
For non-students of Concordia the class is available for audit at the cost of $100. For more information contact the Center for Hmong Studies at (651) 641-8870.
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St. Paul, MN
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