University of Hawaii offers basic Ilocano course

University of Hawaii – West Oahu

HONOLULU — The University of Hawaii–West Oahu will offer a new Ilokano 101 course beginning in the Fall 2015 semester.

This introductory course is meant to increase reading comprehension, develop linguistic skills in Ilocano and promote the appreciation and awareness of the Filipino culture.

“We are excited to be able to offer our first Ilocano language class, which will provide many of our students with an opportunity to deepen their connections to their family heritage and ethnic homeland,” says Dr. Alan Rosenfeld, UH-West Oahu Humanities Division Chair and associate professor of history.

“In addition to our current offerings of language classes in Hawaiian and Samoan, this Ilocano class demonstrates our desire to serve the interests of the greater Leeward Oahu community and create a more welcoming campus environment.”

Students from other UH campuses are encouraged to take Ilokano 101 at UH-West Oahu, which has the highest population of Filipino students of all the four-year UH campuses with more than 20 percent of students identifying themselves as Filipino.

UH-West Oahu serves approximately 2,700 students at its brand new, state-of-the-art campus in Kapoei that opened in 2012. It is one of three UH campuses currently offering Ilocano language courses. Ilokano 101 will be taught Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m to 12:20 p.m.

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