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For otherwise isolated speakers and learners, regularly scheduled telephone conference calls provide a way to develop communication skills in the target language. This article describes the approach, structure, and content of a University of Alaska Fairbanks distance delivery class in Deg Xinag.
Deg Xinag, a Dene (Athabaskan) language with 25 remaining speakers, is the language of the Deg Hit'an people in interior Alaska, USA. For the past ®ve years, weekly telephone conference calls convene 2±3 speakers and 5±10 students. During these classes, learners have the opportunity to hear ¯uent conversation and to request and practice phrases that they need to use in building their own communication skills. Students and speakers develop and share insights into the grammar of Deg Xinag. Participation by both speakers and learners has grown over the years. Learners are making measurable progress. Via telephone we are able to come together on a regular basis as a small language community.
