Chickasaw Chat Café

You are the best language teacher I’ve ever encountered.

I love this Podcast! So much wonderful information on the great unconquered and unconquerable Chickasaw Nation!

I’ve been listening and trying to repeat words in the car. I find this fascinating and low stress. Actually, it’s quite calming. As a former English teacher, I’m enjoying the small bites of grammar and the incremental learning.

Many people will tell you learning the Chickasaw language is difficult like Japanese or Russian, but those people haven’t taken classes with Sherrie Begay (Chickasaw name Fani’ Iskanno'si)! Learning Chickasaw can be difficult, but we’ve always had so much fun in class I’m usually more focused on the fun aspect and I’m less aware of the difficulties. I’ve had language instructors in the past that can make a student feel like an idiot, but Sherrie is the complete opposite! I’ve seen her challenge more experienced speakers in the class, and at the same time she has an ocean of patience encouraging those with less experience. In order to really learn something completely new, confidence and security will accelerate the learning process. As a language student myself, I can’t imagine anyone that makes a student feel more SAFE to make mistakes and learn (mistakes are excellent learning tools!), and as one of the most encouraging person I’ve ever met, she builds confidence that learning isn’t just possible, but it’s possible to learn and have lots of fun doing so! Chokma’shki Fani’ Iskanno’si! Your the absolute best!!